In this article, I reveal a significant insight about what makes a good wife. If you are a man seeking a female life partner, or a young man aspiring to start a family one day, this piece will unveil the divine mysteries of having a good wife, along with biblical guidance on how to choose the right one.
1. The Origin Of A Wife
The notion of a wife is first seen from the biblical narrative of creation in Genesis.
Genesis 2:18 NLT
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Therefore a wife by God’s design is created to help the man to fulfill his purpose on earth. The method God of made a helper was first to put the man to sleep, then He formed the woman out of Adam’s rib.
Genesis 2:22 NLT
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.
This narrative offers several points:
1.1 Awareness And Strength
When the man was asleep, the woman was being formed; Eve came into existence while Adam lied asleep. Symbolically, this suggests that during the man’s moments of unawareness and and or physical weakness, the woman embodies full awareness and strength. In this manner, they forge a powerful union that continually remains vibrant and alive through either partner.
1.2 Protection And Stability
The creation of woman from Adam’s rib underscores the idea that Eve is an extension of him. Anatomically, ribs serve to provide structure and safeguard internal organs, particularly the heart; if the heart falters, death is inevitable.
Eve’s formation from Adam’s rib symbolizes her role in providing structure and protection in a man’s life as he pursues his life’s purpose. She safeguards the plans and aspirations that God has instilled in his heart.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
1.3 A Divine Gift
The woman was given to Adam by God. and Adam claimed the woman, citing she is is indeed an extension of himself. God simply presented the Eve before Adam, and Adam claimed her for himself as they were of the same nature.
Genesis 2:23 NLT
“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”
Now that we have explored the creation of Eve, the first woman and first wife, let’s delve into other biblical scriptures related to this subject.
2. A Good Wife
The Bible offers a wealth of Scriptures regarding the qualities of a good wife. One fundamental principle is that she is a gift from God to her husband, much like how Eve was presented to Adam.
This divine gifting is reflected in marriage ceremonies, where the bride is presented to the groom by her father, echoing the biblical tradition. Proverbs 19:14 confirms this as follows:
Proverbs 19:14 KJV
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.
This is a wonderful metaphor. Solomon contrasts the gifts provided by an earthly father with those from the heavenly Father. The verse also illustrates the essence of fatherhood as one of generosity. Earthly fathers bestow wealth and resources to support their children bon now and long after they are gone. In contrast, the heavenly Father grants a good wife, who helps sustain and enhance the life and wealth of her husband.
We can identify the key qualities that characterize a good wife as follows:
- She is a helper: She sustains and grows what the man has been given by God the father (purpose), and by their earthly Father (wealth and riches)
- She is a gift from God: She come from God to equip the man to fulfill his life’s purpose
Isn’t it intriguing how these qualities resemble those of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is described as a “gift from God” and a “helper.” The following Scriptures affirm this notion.
Acts 1:4 NLT
Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before.
John 15:25 NKJV
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Without the Holy Spirit , no one can fulfill their divine purpose. This is true for Jesus, he only began his ministry on earth, after he was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon him (Matthew 3:16).
After fasting for 40 days, he went through temptation in the wilderness. But he was able to resist the temptation simply because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Though his body was weak from hunger, his power to resist the temptations came from the presence of the Holy Spirit. God’s purpose can only be achieved through His Spirit.
Zechariah 4:6 NLT
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
A good wife embodies the same principle; in her partner’s moments of weakness, she provides wisdom and comfort, helping him persevere in fulfilling his divine purpose.
Now, let’s explore how women in Scripture embody the qualities of being a helper and a precious gift from God, much like the Holy Spirit is described.
3. Rebekah
Abraham sent his servant to his homeland to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The circumstances surrounding Rebekah’s selection as Isaac’s wife illuminate the qualities of a good wife, as discussed in the previous sections.
When Abraham’s servant asked for water, Rebekah responds by lowering her jar into the well and gave him a drink (Genesis 24:18). Thereafter she offers to draw water for all his camels too (Genesis 24:20)
Rebekah’s actions reveal two qualities that make her a made her a potential good wife.
She Is A Gift From God
Just when the servant concluded his prayer, God presented Rebekah immediately.
She Is A Helper
When the servant was thirsty and likely fatigued from his long journey, Rebekah graciously offered him a drink. Just as the Holy Spirit renewed Jesus after a prolonged fast, Rebekah utilized her strength to draw water for the servant, highlighting her qualities as a true helper.
She possessed deep insight and awareness to look beyond addressing the servant’s needs. Rebekah draws water for all his camels. The camels are symbolic of wealth and riches that come from the earthly father (Abraham). And by giving them water to drink, she demonstrates her strength and ability preserve and sustain earthly wealth and riches.
Thereafter The servant selects her as the wife and proceeds to propose to her family to be the wife of his master’s son.
4. Having A Good Wife
Research by the American College of Cardiology discovered that married men tend to do better in their vocation, they also earn higher incomes and even live longer.
This is in line with the following Scripture:
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Most men in executive positions are in fact married, they excel in their line of work simply because a double cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Additionally, an important attribute of a good wife is wisdom, just as the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Wisdom or Truth (John 16:13).
Wisdom is exemplified through actions that demonstrate sound judgment. A wise choice takes into account its future consequences. A good wife makes decisions that positively affect the future of both her husband and her family.
Jesus under the unction of the Spirit of Truth, The Holy Spirit, showed good judgement when Satan tempted him to jump off from the highest point of the Temple in Luke 4:9. Satan quoted the Scripture in Psalm 91:11-12.
However, Jesus, who embodied the Spirit of Truth, successfully resisted this temptation through discernment and sound judgment. He responded with Scripture, stating, “You must not test the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16).
A good wife also provides wisdom and guidance. Life may often present what appears to be a wonderful opportunity, reminiscent of the saying, “not everything that glitters is gold.” However, through her wisdom, discernment, and sound judgment, a good wife can identify potential negative consequences, helping to prevent any tempting opportunities that could lead to harm.
5. A Good Wife Is A Wise Wife
Abigail embodied the Spirit of Wisdom in her approach to David, who was determined to take revenge on her husband Laban for his disrespect, intending to kill him and his entire family.
Upon learning of David’s intentions, Abigail took action to meet him and his men, bringing gifts as a means to apologize on her husband’s behalf.
In her meeting with David, she advised him that killing Laban would not be beneficial, as he was destined to be the future king. She pointed out that it would be unwise for his throne to be marred with bloodshed.
David was so impressed with her wise words that he praised God:
1 Samuel 25:33 NIV
May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
Abigail was praised for her good judgement as she prevented the future king of Israel from needless bloodshed.
6. Final Remarks
The article reveals the mystery surrounding what constitutes a good wife. It highlights that a good wife mirrors the Holy Spirit, as both are divine gifts from God, often referred to as helpers, and they provide invaluable wisdom.
Just as we place our trust in the Holy Spirit during our life’s journey, a husband can also place his trust in a good wife.
The Holy Spirit is ever-present, offering support and sustenance in every aspect of our lives. In a similar way, a goodwife assists her husband in nurturing and building a life that honors and glorifies God. This is captured in the Scriptures below:
Proverbs 31:11-12 NLT
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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