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134
The WATCHTOWER
Brooklyn, N.Y.
should thel'eafter have the rule over the woman,
fulfills the good purpose for which God gave woman to man. Various translations render the opening words of King Lemuel's description of her in various ways: ""'Vho can find a virtuous woman' for her price is far above rubies." (Prov. 31: 10) "A. worthy woman who can find 1 for her price is far above rubies." (Am. Stan. Ver.) This shows she is hard to find and is a rare occurrence; and here King Lemuel was talking about the chosen people of Israel in cove- nant relationship with Jehovah God. Yes, "a rare find is an able wife-she is worth far more than rubies!" (Moffatt) This fact should bestir the married women who today are Christians fully con- secrated to God to be all the more such a kind of wife. An American Translation gives the description
of her as follows:16 "If one can find a good wife, she is worth far
more than corals. Her husband puts his trust in her, and finds no lack of gain. She brings him good, and not harm, all the days of his life. She sorts out wool and flax, and works it up as she wills. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night, and gives her house- hold food, with a portion for her maidens. She examines a field, and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength, and she makes her arms strong. She perceives that her work is profitable, so her lamp goes not out at night. She lays her hand on the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle. She stretches her hand to the poor, she extends her arms to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for her household are all clothed in scarlet. She makes coverlets for herself, her clothing is linen and purple. Her husband is known at the gates, as he sits among the elders of
the land.17 "She makes linen vests, and sells them, she
supplies the merchants 'with girdles. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and kindly counsel is on her tongue. She looks well after her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and bless her-her husband also, and praises her: 'Many women have done well, but
you have excelled them all.' Charms are deceptive,and beauty is a breath; but a woman who reveres the
LORD-she will be praised. Give her the due reward of her work; and let her deeds bring her praise at
the gates."-Prov. 31: 10-31.18 That entire description is a study in itself, and
we are tempted to dwell upon it. Note that this woman who fears Jehovah (verse 30) is trustworthy. Her husband may depend upon her and never lose out by it. She is anxious to be of profit to him, materially, but especially spiritually. It is not just because she loves him but also because she fears Jehovah and wants to honor Him and serve His purpose. Hence, when her husband appears in public and takes his place among other men of note or prominence, he has nothing to be ashamed of on her account. She aids him in keeping his respectability. She knows he has his responsibilities. So she must take care of the responsibilities that fall to woman as a wife and mother. She does not try to pry into matters which he must hold confidential with men who are his clients or with whom he does business, but she respects the sanctity with which he conducts his affairs in faithfulness to outsiders relying upon him. She is not lazy, but if her work requires she is up before daylight and up late after nightfall and resorting to artificial light in order to see. While trusting in Jehovah, she is provident for the future; and rather than depend upon the charity of others,
she seeks to be able to show generosity to the poor.19 "'Vhile her children do not, in foolish sentiment,
institute such a thing as an annual Mother's Day to idolize her, they do appreciate the faithful services of a God-fearing mother. So every day they try to carry out the divine commandment: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; 'which is the first command- ment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Eph. 6: 1-3; Ex. 20: 12) Likewise her husband gives her praise, as l1er just due and to encourage her, for, whether she is possessed with outward charms and natural beauty or not, to him she is better than any other woman he knows. She has brains and, best of all,
loyalty and the fear of God. This is a worthy woman.18, 19. How do husband ant! children tare by her, and how respond? WOMAN'S PLACE IN THE CONGREGATION THE station of a wife is indeed a privilege. It was the station originally meant for all females as indicated in the divine mandate to A.dam and Eve in Eden: "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth." But the married estate is not in itself, under the present evil circumstances, the ideal state of woman, 1. 2 . In this evil worle. what Is woman's Ideal state. and why? now when the great test of serving God under diffi- culties and opposition is on, and it is a special privi- lege to be able to serve him in direct ways. The apostle Paul, while advising marriage in some cases, sets a more idealistic state before his Christian sisters when he says: "An unmarried woman or a girl is concerned about the Lord's work, so as to be
