"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Wisdom Regarding Marriage (1) INTROD !TION 1.

The value of Proverbs is that it provides wisdom from God to guide us in every realm of life 2. Whether it be family, business, social or spiritual relationships, we find inspired advice that enables us to walk in wisdom, redeeming the time, because the days are evil ! cf. E" #$1#%1& "#et$s e%amine what wisdom the Proverbs has to reveal regarding marriage, beginning with...& I' THE SE(E!TION OF ) WIFE )' THE IMPORT)N!E OF M)KIN* THE RI*HT !HOI!E''' 1. 'uch happiness in life depends upon make the right choice ! Pro 1+$, a. ( good choice greatly enhances the life of the husband b. )ut the wrong choice can destroy a man from the inside out* 2. +t is folly to think that a mistake in this area can be easily corrected a. 'any think divorce can be an easy solution b. )ut God hates divorce and remarriage may not be a viable option for the disciple of ,hrist ! cf. Ma- +$1./ M0 11$2%1 c. -ven when it is, if there are children the selection you made will always be the mother of your children .for better or worse*/ %% ) man needs 3isdom 4rom *od in 56oosing 36om 0o marr78 B' * IDE(INES FOR FINDIN* ) *OOD WIFE''' 1. See9 6e-" 4rom *od ! Pr 11$1, a. 0uccess in this venture may depend more upon God than we think* b. +n view of the seriousness of this matter, dare we go about it alone1 2. Do no0 "-a5e "riori07 on good -oo9s a-one ! Pr :1$:; a. )eauty is skin!deep, temporary, to which we can easily grow accustomed b. +t is therefore a poor foundation upon which to build a life!long relationship c. 0adly, most marriages are built on little more than physical attraction 2. +nstead, -oo9 4or 06ese 56ara50eris0i5s in a 3oman$ a. T6e 4ear o4 06e (ord ! Pr :1$:; 1/ 0uch a woman possesses the beginning of wisdom ! Pr 1$& 2/ 3aving a wife who is a devout ,hristian should be the primary concern b. Dis5re0ion ! Pr 11$++ 1/ This is the ability to do the right thing at the right time 2/ Without this, beauty is worthless, and can even be the ob4ect of ridicule .e.g., dumb blonde 4okes/ c. Wisdom ! Pr 1,$1

1/ With this virtue in a woman, a good home can be built 2/ Without it, efforts by the husband will be undermined by the wife* 5. )<oid a 3oman 36o is 5on0en0io=s (arg=men0a0i<e)8 a. Pictures6ue descriptions of such a woman are found in Pro 11$1:/ +&$1#%1. b. 'y grandmother .a faithful ,hristian who as a widow raised si% children through the Great 7epression, and remained a widow for over fifty years/, pointed out these two verses to me when + was a teen!ager8 Pr +1$1>11 %% I0 is ?e00er 0o ?e sing-e and a-one> 06an 0o ?e married 0o 06e 3rong "erson8 "To be married to a godly woman, however, is a wonderful blessing from the #ord .Pr 12$++/. With the aid of Proverbs, we are more likely to find a good spouse. The same is true for women in...& II' THE SE(E!TION OF ) H SB)ND )' THERE )RE W)@S TO (E)RN )BO T ) M)N''' 1. Ho3 does 6e 0rea0 anima-sA This reveals a lot about his character ! Pr 1+$1; 2. Does 6e -is0en 0o 06e ad<i5e o4 o06ersA That will tell you whether he is a fool, or a wise person ! Pr 1+$1# 2. W6a0 07"e o4 5om"an7 does 6e 9ee"A 9ou might be destroyed along with him ! Pr 1:$+; 5. Is 6e B=i59%0em"eredA That reveals whether he is a person of understanding ! Pr 1,$+1 :. Ho3 does 6e ma9e mone7A 9ou will suffer the conse6uences of his actions ! Pr 1#$+& ;. Does 6e 4ee- -i9e 6e a-3a7s 6as 0o "=0 in 6is "03o%5en0s" 3or06A +f so, he lacks knowledge and a calm spirit ! Pr 1&$ +&%+2 <. Does 6e 6a<e 5om"assion 4or 06e "oorA +f so, his prayers will be answered ! Pr +1$1: %% See 6o3 06e Pro<er?s 5an g=ide a 3oman in de5iding 36om 0o marr7A B' MEN TO DEFINITE(@ )VOID''' 1. ) 3omaniCer a. 3e will destroy himself and hurt all those involved ! Pr .$ +&%+1 b. +f he flaunts God$s will before he is married, what assurance is there he will not flaunt God$s will after he is married1 2. ) B=i59%0em"ered man a. 9ou will become like him and destroy yourself as well ! Pro ++$+,%+# b. 'en are usually on their best behavior before marriage, think of what an angry man will be like after marriage* 2. ) drin9er a. (lcohol has destroyed many good men ! Pr +:$+1%:; b. 'ost husbands become verbally and physically abusive after drinking %% )gain> i0 is ?e00er 0o ?e sing-e and a-one> 06an 0o ?e married 0o 06e 3rong "erson8

!ON!( SION 1. (mong the most important decisions we make in life will be these two... a. Wi06 36om s6a-- I s"end m7 -i4eA 1/ 7ivorce and remarriage is not an option for the faithful ,hristian ! M0 11$. 2/ With one e%ception ! M0 11$1 b. W6o s6a-- ?e 06e 4a06er or mo06er o4 m7 56i-drenA 1/ This choice cannot be undone once the children are born 2/ 7ivorce is a violent action, with long!lasting effects ! Ma+$1. 2. 7are we make such decisions without consulting the wisdom found in God$s Word...1 a. This certainly does not e%haust all that Proverbs has to say about selecting a spouse b. )ut + trust that we see that the Proverbs are e%tremely practical, worthy of careful study +n our ne%t lesson, we shall consider gems of wisdom in regards to ?eing a good spouse...