Proverbs 31 Man?

Last night's sermon at church was on Proverbs on the topic of 'Husbands - A few inconvenient truths'. And I have to say that it was really good.

The sermon focused on the references to Husbands in Proverbs (of which there are only a few) together with a biblical overview of marriage generally and the good old Ephesians 5. The really interesting (and helpful) tack that the minister put on it was by looking at the different ways in Proverbs that women were referred to and what sort of man would encourage or discourage certain behaviour.

The inconvenient truths that he spoke on were:
- How husbands are to live like they are married, not single by the way they spend their time and money. How much time do you spend away from your wife? Stuff like that.
- Who you should spend time with when you are not with your wife. Are there friends or groups that encourage you to be dissatisfied with your wife.
- If you have some sort of issue, are you avioding talking about it with your wife and discussing it with someone who is not your wife.
- What images you are presented with telling you what is beautiful. He spoke on how the world inundates us with images of what is beautiful. He said that whatever your wife is, that is what should be beautiful for you. If she is short, then beautiful is short, etc, etc.
- He also spoke about the power of words and how although he would never hit his wife in a million years, he has said things that were very hurtful and was ashamed about that.

He used lots of good examples, but one of the ones that really hit me was when he talked about the woman of Proverbs 31. He spoke saying 'What sort of man would the proverbs 31 woman be married to? He took a couple of examples like verses 16+17 "She considers a field and buys it out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." What sort of man would her husband be like? The minister said that he doubts that her husband would be a slob who sat at home and did nothing all day which, of course, is a great point. What sort of man would inspire and encourage that sort of woman?

Although I am not married I believe that this sermon is great for 2 reasons. The mainstream reason people give is that one day I may be married and so it will apply later. Sure, but I believe that there is a better reason in that the kind of man that makes a good husband also makes a good brother in Christ. The kind of things mentioned: how you spend your time and money, who is helpful for you spend your time with, what images are going into your head, and how you speak with people are great things for all Christian men to be working on.

Will the Christian men out there join me in trying to be a Proverbs 31 man?