07/28/2013 by Sojotales

The subject of yesterday’s post (Are We Good Samaritans or Satan’s Tools?) was about a woman in need. On the other hand there are women who actively cause distress. The Bible talks about the kind of woman who causes distress and the type of woman who is her antithesis. The first is not just a gossip or a backbiter (though the Bible address those types of women as well) she is a willing adulteress; actively searching for unwary men. Her counterpoint is the virtuous woman, the treasure, the Good wife. So what is the difference between these two types of women?
The Bible is pretty clear in the words that are used to describe an adultress. She is a flatterer with a crafty heart (Proverbs 2:16, 6:24, 7:5, 7:10 & 7:21); she is evil; her lips drip honey and her mouth is smoother than oil (proverbs 5:3 & 6:24). She is loud and rebellious, lurking for her prey (Proverbs 7:11,12). She is beautiful in appearance and gives seductive looks (Proverbs 6:25). This is a woman who has forsaken the companion of her youth, and worst of all she has forgotten the covenant of her God (Proverbs 2:16).
Men are specifically warned that whoever commits adultery with such a woman lacks understanding; he destroys his own soul, and will be wounded and dishonored. He is told that he will feel ashamed and that reproach will not go away (Proverbs 6:32 & 33). The foolish man does not understand that it would cost him his life and the act of adultry leads the way to Hell (Proverbs 2:16, 7:23 & 27).
By contrast the Bible speaks very eloquently about the virtuous woman. The verses that are usually associated with this phrase can be found in Proverbs 31:10-31. They expound upon her value; her capability; her abilities and characteristics; and her rewards. We are told that she is to be discreet, chaste, a keeper at home, good, and obedient to her own husband (Titus 2:5). Men are also told that she is to be submitted to; just as she is to submit to her husband (Eph 5:21), and most importantly she is to be loved; even as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25)
When speaking of such a woman Proverbs 5:15-19 tells young men to,

Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.

Wonderful examples of this kind of love is outlined throughout the Song of Solomon where the writer says things like,

Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Song of Solomon 4:3

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7

How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. Song of Solomon 4:10,11.

So how are men to respond to women?
They are to give Godly women the respect that they deserve; the Harlots as wide a berth as possible; and they are to treasure their wife; loving her as sweetly as he can.

When was the last time you showed your spouse the love you felt for them in your youth?
Was their reaction what you expected?