A proverb is defined as:
A short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought.
It is interesting to me that in the middle of our Old Testament we find an entire book of proverbs; an entire book of short sayings that express commonplace truth. I want to look at a couple of the proverbs we find in the Bible.
Have you ever heard the saying ‘behind every great man is a great woman’? Apparently the writer who assembled the book of Proverbs came to the same conclusion:
Prov. 12:4
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.”
I have to say I must be the greatest king around, with the most glamorous crown, because I have a truly excellent and wonderful wife. I don’t say this because she is going to read this post and it will get me out of trouble. I say it because it is true. My wife takes care of me when I am sick and when I am well, when I deserve it and when I don’t, and she even takes care of me when whether she feels good or not. I have a great wife and I’m not ashamed to say I’m a little spoiled by her. However, her greatness doesn’t just come from how she acts towards me, she is even more than an excellent wife; she is a wonderful mother. She loves our Will and it is plain to see. She hurts when he hurts, she laughs when he laughs and she cries when he cries.
It doesn’t end with us though, she has a wonderful heart and she exhibits the true nature of a righteous person as described in the first part of verse 10 of Proverbs 12:
“A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal”
I had never seen this passage until Ashley came across it a couple of weeks ago while dealing with the loss of Tucker, her dog from childhood and her only brother. It was a difficult loss, especially for someone who loves animals. I see the same love and kindness with Timley, our Westie. He tore his ACL on Wednesday, is schedule to have surgery this coming Monday and it hurts her to see him limping and in pain.
Truly a kinder, more gentle and loving person I have never known. She gives me a vision of greatness we should all aspire to achieve. Only when we have this love can we understand our God and the love He has toward us.
