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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 14 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 14

June 5, 2016

with Steven Crook

Today we are going to wrap up the Proverb on the virtuous woman we have been studying. In doing so, we are going to find that the work of the Lord will be being accomplished while we are still in this tabernacle and that those same works are going to be what judges us worthy of praise or not.

Favour vs Grace

The final two verses for consideration and study are:

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

All words in scripture are inspired to have a positive and negative application and that is no different with the verses we are studying today.

When we read “favour is deceitful” what favour are we talking about?

H2580 is defined as:

H2580

chên
khane
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Total KJV occurrences: 69

H2580
chên
BDB Definition:
1) favour, grace, charm
1a) favour, grace, elegance
1b) favour, acceptance
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H2603
Same Word by TWOT Number: 694a

Hebrew word 2580 as defined by strongs is used interchangeably as grace in the Hebrew.

H2580
chên
Total KJV Occurrences: 69
grace, 38
Gen_6:8, Gen_19:19, Gen_32:5, Gen_33:8, Gen_33:10, Gen_33:15, Gen_34:11, Gen_39:4, Gen_47:25, Gen_47:29, Gen_50:4, Exo_33:12-13 (3), Exo_33:16-17 (2), Exo_34:9, Num_32:5, Jdg_6:17, Rth_2:2, Rth_2:10, 1Sa_1:18, 1Sa_20:3, 1Sa_27:5, 2Sa_14:22, 2Sa_16:4, Est_2:17, Psa_45:2, Psa_84:11, Pro_1:9, Pro_3:22, Pro_3:34, Pro_4:9, Pro_22:11, Jer_31:2, Zec_4:7 (2), Zec_12:10
favour, 26
Gen_18:3, Gen_30:27, Exo_3:21 (2), Exo_11:3, Exo_12:36, Num_11:11, Num_11:15, Deu_24:1, Rth_2:13, 1Sa_16:22, 1Sa_20:29, 1Sa_25:8, 2Sa_15:25, 1Ki_11:19, Est_2:15, Est_5:2, Est_5:8, Est_7:3, Est_8:5, Pro_3:4, Pro_13:15, Pro_22:1, Pro_28:23, Pro_31:30, Ecc_9:11
gracious, 2
Pro_11:16, Ecc_10:12
pleasant, 1
Pro_5:19
precious, 1
Pro_17:8
wellfavoured, 1
Nah_3:4

When looking at favor being deceitful, and knowing that favor seemly means grace, what grace could we be talking about? Let’s look at the differences in the favor of men versus the favor of God.

The favor and grace of God:

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Gen 18:2  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
Gen 18:3  And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Gen 30:27  And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Exo 3:21  And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
Exo 3:22  But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Gen 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Gen 39:2  And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Gen 39:3  And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Gen 39:4  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Pro 3:34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Pro 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Pro 4:9  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Ecc 10:12  The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Looking at the “natural” grace of men, then we will see the application of the negative aspect of grace. Grave from men is not always a negative thing so I am not trying to imply that, but seeking the praise and grace of men versus that which is of God is what I am focusing on.

When comparing the grace of men versus the grace of God, this is what we find we are dealing with:

Nah 3:3  The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
Nah 3:4  Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured H2580 harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

We’ve read a lot about riches of this world and being rich in the spirit, and our old man wants nothing more than to be favored by others in this world because it builds us up to “be something” when in fact we are blind and nothing at all relating to the kingdom of God.

The favored virtuous woman of God will understand that having favor of God and keeping His commandments is much more important than being favored in this world because we are willing to run the same excess of riot that they do.  The virtuous woman will KNOW this is true because she herself at ONE TIME did run with those that riot.

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1Pe 4:5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

When we realize this and take it all into account, then we will know Jesus Christ our Husband and knowing Him will give us Godly fear because He is ALWAYS pointing to His Father!

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Pro 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

By now we know this woman being talked about is not just any ol virtuous woman, but she is the wife of Jesus Christ.

Knowing the mind of Christ concerning those that fear God reveals to us why fearing the Lord shall be praised. There can be whole studies done on what the fear of the Lord is but due to lack if time I will simply just use a few scriptures to point out the overall concept of what the fear of the Lord is and why it is worthy of praise.

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2Ch 19:7  Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Pro 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

If you just type in “fear of the Lord” in e-sword, you’ll have a lot of verses returned to you with a lot of context on what the Lord tells us is the fear of the Lord.

Anyone who discounts the importance of this fear simply has not been given eyes to see and ears to hear that this FEAR is the acknowledgement that the Lord is in complete and utter control over all things and works all things after the counsel of His own will.

Anyone that has the fear of the Lord, is listening to the voice of their Husband because Jesus Christ Himself had the fear of God working within Him!

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

The spirit of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, and the spirit of knowledge are ALL CONNECTED with the fear of the Lord and for good reason.

Without this fear, one CANNOT judge righteous judgment and we MUST be able to JUDGE!!

This is why our Husband is not ashamed to call us His wife. His words are on our lips and His commandments are in our hearts and minds.

This directly reflects why the end of this chapter talks about favor and fear together ALONG with WORKS and JUDGMENT.

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

You might be saying that these verses do not mention anything about judgment, but here is what is mentioned right after Isaiah 11:1-2:

Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Why are favor, fear works and judgment all connected together?

If you remember back to our last few studies, we cover what the “greater works than these” are concerning the work that this virtuous woman does throughout her life.

One of the aspects that I did not cover is that judgement and deliverance from the thing being judged is directly connected together.

What do I mean with that statement?

When Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would be going to all the nations of the earth to spread the gospel, and we are His disciples indeed, He was not telling all His disciples that they would PHYSCICALLY be required to go to all nations of this planet.

Rather, this is a message of Spirit and Life.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 6:62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Joh 6:64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

So, combining this all together, what is the link between the fruit of this virtuous woman’s hands and her works praising her in the gates?

If we know what spiritual fruit is and what the spiritual gate is and what the works being spoken about are, then we can find an answer to this question.

Mar 11:17  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Isa 56:1  Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Isa 56:5  Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Isa 56:6  Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

What is the gate a part of? It is a gate to a city within a kingdom. Within this kingdom sits a house and in this house righteous judgment is always handed out, but there is only one Way that is True.

Hint: It has something to do with Jesus Christ.

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The work this virtuous woman is always doing is CONERNING HER HOUSEHOLD!

Don’t you know that you are the TEMPLE of the Living God and the Spirit of God dwells within you?

Jesus came to show us that the physical healing and feeding of others was but for a moment, but the works we DO are those works which give LIFE, TRUTH and a WAY to live our lives while still dwelling in this constantly moving tabernacles through the wilderness of this flesh.

Yes, many of the “greater works” we will do will be done WITHIN OURSELVES!! How can that be and how can I make such a BOLD CLAIM?

Isn’t that taking credit for doing my OWN WORKS? NO! It is simply knowing the difference between claiming I ALONE do these things and taking credit for it and knowing that WHILE I work God the Father as predestinated that I will work out my own salvation because He is IN HIS TEMPLE WILLING and DOING his GOOD PLEASURE.

While we live out our lives as this virtuous body of Christ, we will be honored and recognized by God while we sit in the gates with our Husband.

While we are there, our focus is to be content with the situations the Lord has placed us in because while much of this experience in the flesh is very hard and trying, we ARE HIS WIFE and very few of this worlds human population can accurately make such a bold claim!

Notice when we are told to be content. It is a bit veiled, but I pray Jesus lifts the veil on our hearts and minds concerning this point.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Being the Sons of God is what is PRODCUED by our relationship with our Husband Jesus Christ. You might ask how it is possible to be the FRUIT of the thing that PRODCUES the FRUIT, but this is a spiritual concept and one that is complete none sense to the natural mind.

Sons of God, the fruit, are products of Jesus Christ and the WORK which is done in His virtuous wife. For these things, the virtuous woman is to be praised above all others.

I hope this series has helped us all know and understand a little bit more about just how much our Lord loves us all!

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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 13 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 13

May 29, 2016

with Steven Crook

The virtuous woman we have been studying has steadily had various traits of herself revealed to King Lemuel as King Lemuel’s mother tells him what to look for in a virtuous woman.

In our study today, we are going to cover a few of the benefits and blessings this virtuous woman receives as she lives out her “many roles” life.

Blessed and praised

As we all know, family is very important to us all. Within our own family units, we are naturally drawn to want to be a part of our family. It is only when we have issues within our relationships or families that those relationships potentially become problematic or bitter.

For our virtuous woman, and for the body of Christ who are children of God, that is not the case.

Pro 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Pro 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

We see these praises paid to our virtuous woman at the end of this chapter signifying that she has done many things that cause such blessings and praises to fall upon her.

I want to read out of a few other translations so that we can get a broader idea of how these verses are translated, and I also will be looking at some key words in these verses so that we can get a clearer idea of just how this virtuous woman is viewed.

Pro 31:28 (CEV)  Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says,
Pro 31:29  "There are many good women, but you are the best!"

Pro 31:28 (ESV) Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her:
Pro 31:29  "Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!"

Pro 31:28 (YLT)  Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,
Pro 31:29  `Many are the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'

Pro 31:28 (LITV)  Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, for he praises her:
Pro 31:29  Many are the daughters who act with virtue, but you rise above them all!

Pro 31:28  (BBE) Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
Pro 31:29  Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

There are many ways that these verses are stated, and there is a reason why. A lot of these words of meanings that are hidden within what is being said and this is a place where context is important within these two verses.

When we break a part these verses we will get a clearer understanding of which translation has it more correct and that is why it is always good to look at multiple translations.

Pro 31:28  Her childrenH1121 arise up,H6965 and call her blessed;H833 her husbandH1167 also, and he praisethH1984 her.

The first part of this verse says the children of the virtuous woman “arise up and call her blessed” but what does that mean?

H833
'âshar  /  'âshêr
BDB Definition:
1) to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress
1a) (Qal) to go straight on, make progress
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to go straight on, advance
1b2) to lead on (causative)
1b3) to set right, righten
1b4) to pronounce happy, call blessed
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be advanced, be led on
1c2) to be made happy, be blessed
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root
Same Word by TWOT Number: 183

H833

'âshar    'âshêr
aw-shar', aw-share'
A primitive root; to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively to go forward, be honest, prosper: - (call, be) bless (-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve.
Total KJV occurrences: 16

When you look at the translations that I quoted, it is hard to get the definition of “to be straight” from them.

“Praise her, encourage her, pronounce her happy, call her blessed and give her honor” all English phrases that hold slightly different meanings

When you put this all together, this virtuous woman is someone who is honest, happy, counts it all joy and is able to move straight forward towards the goals of becoming a virtuous woman.

How then do we put this together with the second part of this verse?

“…..her husband also, and he praiseth H1984 her.  ……”

H1984
hâlal
BDB Definition:
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (figuratively of God’s favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
2) to praise, boast, be boastful
2a) (Qal)
2a1) to be boastful
2a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
2b) (Piel)
2b1) to praise
2b2) to boast, make a boast
2c) (Pual)
2c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
2d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast
2e) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
2f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root
Same Word by TWOT Number: 499, 500

The majority of the time this word is translated as praise, so the thing I wanted to point out about praise is how it is used to convey our thoughts about those being praised.

H1984

hâlal
haw-lal'
A primitive root; to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively to celebrate; also to stultify: - (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.
Total KJV occurrences: 165

To praise someone is to make them shine, to boast about them, to put the light or spotlight on them.

When we consider who we are as the virtuous body of Christ, do we consider what our Husband thinks and SAYS about us?

Often times, we think humbly about ourselves in the Lord, and we should think this way, but that does NOT discount that there are two sides of this coin.

Here is the proper understanding of this spiritual coin. KNOW WHO YOU ARE TO YOUR HUSBAND.

One side of the coin:

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, SUBMIT YOURSELVES unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

If you’ll remember from the last study, wisdom and works were connected together, and I also connected “greater works” to what Jesus Christ said we would do after the comforter came.

So here we are as this virtuous body of Christ being told that our Husband praises us. US!, His chosen wife.

If you read James and 1 Peter, you’ll see WHY He praises His wife. His wife humbles herself IN HIS SIGHT and SUBMITS to HIM. In other words, she makes herself subject to the will of her husband.

Before this sentence is misrepresented by those that desire to be politically correct, I must point out that anyone who has the mind of Christ, will be a leader in the capacity that Christ has given to a husband in a relationship and will always be doing what is best for the family and his wife.

However, anyone also led by the mind of Christ will have extremely different views from the world on what those values and “bests” are for his family exactly the same as Jesus Christ came to do what was best for the children of God.

It would be remiss if I did not read from 1 Corinthians and Ephesians where this very concept comes out.

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (always points to the head)
1Co 11:2  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The other side of the coin:

The reason this is important within the context of the Husband being able to praise His wife in Proverbs 31:28 is because one side of this spiritual coin requires that His wife is humbled before Him, always POINT TO HIM, and always ACKNOWLDGE HIM, but the other side of this coin requires us to KNOW WHO WE ARE and PROCLAIM IT!

The word “greater” is also translated as “elder”, and Jesus Christ points out that we will do “GREATER” things than He did. This is what we saw within our last study and is born out in scripture.

The virtuous woman is given her “royal standing” as queen because her husband King Lemuel has chosen her to share this royalty with him. Likewise, the virtuous body of Christ has been given election to the kingdom of God, has been given to be a “king and priest”, and has of NO WORK OF HER OWN, been given to be the “elect lady”.

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

2Jn 1:1  The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2Jn 1:2  For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
2Jn 1:3  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

This relationship is a healthy one and Jesus Christ, the Truth, dwells within his elect lady. That is why He praises her. She is an extension of Him and boldly proclaims His ordinances, His commandments.

Grace, mercy and peace come about because the wife is willing to be humble to her Husband. See, peace is the result of having someone lead and another be a follower and HELPER of the one leading.

It’s like the old saying goes, “too many cooks spoil the broth” or “there are too many cooks in the kitchen”.

The wife is created to be a HELPER to Adam but not to lead him. She comes OUT of Him and then He goes INTO her to become her helper (in her heavens).

There is an amazing connection for grace, mercy and peace to happen when a “virtuous wife”, who we are to Jesus Christ, helps her Husband do what He came to do.

He came to do the will of the Father and the work we do is a GREATER work of His will for all of humanity.

Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Excelling virtuously

This is why verse 28 goes directly with verse 29 and this becomes abundantly clear as you look at the Hebrew in verse 29.

Pro 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Pro 31:29  "Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!"

Pro 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, H2428 but thou excellest H5927 H5921 them all.

Here again we find that this woman is mentioned within the context of being “virtuous”. In part 3 of this series, I covered the first time that we see this Hebrew word translated as “virtuous” but it is also mentioned another time in this chapter.

H2428
chayil
khah'-yil
From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: - able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
Total KJV occurrences: 243

Pro 31:3  Give not thy strength H2428 unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Pro 31:10  Who can find a virtuous H2428 woman? for her price is far above rubies.

If you’ll remember what the root of virtue is then you’ll realize exactly what this virtuous woman is all about.

The majority of the time this word is translated as “army”, “host” or “forces”. This army has “valour”. What then is the ROOT OF THIS ARMY? Could it have anything to do with who we are to our Husband? Could it have anything to do with what we proclaim?

As a reminder, here is the root of virtuous, from H2342. I am NOT going to list all the listings here since they are in part 3 of this series, but here is the core of them:

H2342
chûl  /  chı̂yl
Total KJV Occurrences: 68
pain, 6
Isa_13:8, Isa_26:17-18 (2), Jer_30:23, Eze_30:16, Mic_4:10
formed, 5
Deu_32:18, Job_26:5, Job_26:13, Psa_90:2, Pro_26:10
forth, 4
Pro_8:24-25 (2), Isa_45:10, Isa_66:8
brought, 3
Pro_8:24-25 (2), Isa_45:10
pained, 3
Joe_2:4-6 (3)

The root of “virtuous” is rooted in pain? Here are a few of these verses listed out so that we can get an idea of what we are being told.

Isa 13:8  And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain H2342 as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

Isa 26:17  Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain H2342, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
Isa 26:18  We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

Jer 30:23  Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain H2342 upon the head of the wicked.

Eze 30:16  And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain H2342, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.

So the root of “virtue” or being “virtuous” is pain. What then is the negative connotation of being “virtuous”?

Can there be a NEGATIVE APPLICATION of a WORLDLY VIRTUE and what the world values versus what our Husband who praises us proclaims? This is taken from part 3 of this “virtuous body of Christ” series.

Here is what scripture speaks about this “virtuous” word/concept concerning what the world does with virtue.

Job 20:4  Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,
Job 20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

A couple verses later:

Job 20:15  He hath swallowed down riches H2428, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

Psa 62:9  Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
Psa 62:10  Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches H2428 increase, set not your heart upon them.

Eze 28:1  The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Eze 28:2  Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
Eze 28:3  Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
Eze 28:4  With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches H2428, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
Eze 28:5  By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches H2428, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches H2428:

How this all comes together is found in how this verse ends.

Pro 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, H2428 but thou excellest H5927 H5921 them all.

How does the virtuous body of Christ, how does the CHURCH of the Living God, EXCELLEST more than “many daughters”?

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Since we know that “our righteousness” is as filthy rags, what righteousness are we talking about?
It all goes back to verse Proverbs 31:28 and why and how our Husband praises us.

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Mat 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

See, humbling ourselves as the wife and bride of Christ shows that we are converted. When we are converted, the riches of this world are nothing to us because they will die like the rest of this world. However, we can and DO work within this world to bring about the dying process that produces our HUSBAND living IN US as He increases in us.

H5927

‛âlâh
aw-law'
A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or active (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literally and figuratively: - arise (up). (cause to) ascend up, at once, break [the day] (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up), grow (over), increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, [make] up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
Total KJV occurrences: 890

The way we “ascend up” or excel more than all the other “worldly and corrupt branches”, the other daughters/churches is to take on the MIND of our HUSBAND and ascend to the heavens with Him.

Our Husband praises us along with the blessings of “our children” because our children are those who are produced by feeding these “little children” the mind of Christ, His doctrine, His riches and His Way, Truth and Life.

In our next study, we will conclude this chapter and see how it is all of the concepts contained within Proverbs 31 produce praise for the virtuous body of Christ whose works are praised in the gates with the works of her Husband.

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 12

May 22, 2016

with Steven Crook

In our study today, we find ourselves approaching the end of this chapter about the virtuous woman of chapter 31.

In our previous study, we saw that our husband is well known in the gates of the city when he sits among the elders, and being that He is the Husband of all of us, we can all take joy in knowing that we are all His wife and workmanship in Him and therefore are also “known in the gates”.

It is fitting that this is the twelfth study in this series because we are going to soon learn that when this virtuous body of Christ and virtuous woman speaks, she speaks on the foundation of wisdom.

Wisdom

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Looking at the first part of our first verse, we notice that our virtuous woman opens her mouth in wisdom. So a wise person would ask them self, “Where do I gain wisdom from?”

I would say that the virtuous wife gains her wisdom from her Husband ESPECIALLY when we are understanding this as a spiritual statement primarily. There is the wisdom of this world and there is wisdom which comes from above.

Mat 13:53  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
Mat 13:54  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mat 13:57  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mat 13:58  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Notice that wisdom and mighty works are connected together.
Joh 5:34  But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
Joh 5:35  He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Joh 5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Joh 5:37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Jesus came doing the works of the Father but He Himself said that we would do even greater works!

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Now that we see that works and wisdom go hand and foot together, and that the works and wisdom are from God the Father even in Jesus’ case, what does wisdom look like in our lives as we live out these words of Jesus and “do the greater works”?

First off, we must understand what these “greater works” are so that we can understand where wisdom comes in place because as a virtuous wife to our Husband, we must have it already in our minds before we can “speak wisdom”.

What then does it mean, scripturally, to be “greater” than the thing being spoken about. It is what it sounds like but let’s use some scripture to solidify this concept in our minds.

G3187
meizōn
mide'-zone
Irregular comparative of G3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specifically in age): - elder, greater (-est), more.
Total KJV occurrences: 45

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

Mar 4:31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Jas 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Rom 9:11  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom 9:12  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

It is clear from these scriptures that indeed “greater” indicates something that is more or larger than the thing being compared.

The reason I have taken the time to include things that are “greater” with this discussion on wisdom is because without the comparison of “greater” we would not be able to comprehend why the wisdom from above is MUCH greater than the wisdom of men.

Jas 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

When we, as the virtuous body of Christ, act, say, or do ANYTHING, it should be that we are pulling from the wisdom of scripture and all of those examples and admonitions that have gone before us.

Our good conversation, or the way we live should all be done with meek wisdom.

Pro 4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Pro 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Pro 4:9  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Law of kindness

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Pro 31:26  She openethH6605 her mouthH6310 with wisdom;H2451 and inH5921 her tongueH3956 is the lawH8451 of kindness.H2617

Hebrew 2617 is better translated mercy and will help this verse come alive for us.

H2617
chêsêd
Total KJV Occurrences: 249
mercy, 137
Gen_19:19, Gen_24:27, Gen_39:21, Exo_15:13, Exo_34:6-7 (2), Num_14:18-19 (2), Deu_5:10, Deu_7:9, Deu_7:12, Jdg_1:24, 2Sa_7:15, 2Sa_15:20, 2Sa_22:51, 1Ki_3:6, 1Ki_8:23, 1Ch_16:34, 1Ch_16:41, 1Ch_17:13, 2Ch_1:8, 2Ch_6:13-14 (2), 2Ch_7:3, 2Ch_7:6, 2Ch_20:21, Ezr_3:11, Ezr_7:28, Ezr_9:9, Neh_1:5, Neh_9:32, Neh_13:22, Job_37:13, Psa_5:7, Psa_13:5, Psa_18:50, Psa_21:7, Psa_25:6-7 (2), Psa_25:10, Psa_31:7, Psa_32:10, Psa_33:18, Psa_33:22, Psa_36:5, Psa_52:8, Psa_57:3, Psa_59:10 (2), Psa_59:16-17 (2), Psa_61:7, Psa_62:12, Psa_66:20, Psa_69:13, Psa_77:8, Psa_85:7, Psa_85:10, Psa_86:5, Psa_86:13, Psa_86:15, Psa_89:2, Psa_89:14, Psa_89:24, Psa_89:28, Psa_90:14, Psa_94:18, Psa_98:3, Psa_100:5, Psa_101:1, Psa_103:8, Psa_103:11, Psa_103:17, Psa_107:1 (2), Psa_108:4, Psa_109:12, Psa_109:16, Psa_109:21, Psa_109:26, Psa_118:1-4 (5), Psa_118:29, Psa_119:64, Psa_119:124, Psa_130:7, Ps 136 (26), Psa_138:8, Psa_143:12, Psa_145:8, Psa_147:11, Pro_3:3, Pro_14:22, Pro_16:6, Pro_20:28 (2), Pro_21:21, Isa_16:5, Jer_33:11, Dan_9:4, Hos_4:1, Hos_6:6, Hos_10:12, Hos_12:6, Mic_6:8 (2), Mic_7:18, Mic_7:20, Zec_7:9
kindness, 40
Gen_20:13, Gen_21:23, Gen_24:12, Gen_40:14 (2), Jos_2:12 (2), Jdg_8:35, Rth_2:20, Rth_3:10, 1Sa_15:6, 1Sa_20:14-15 (2), 2Sa_2:5-6 (2), 2Sa_3:8, 2Sa_9:1, 2Sa_9:3, 2Sa_9:7, 2Sa_10:2 (2), 2Sa_16:17, 1Ki_2:7, 1Ki_3:6, 1Ch_19:2 (2), 2Ch_24:22, Neh_9:17, Est_2:9, Psa_31:21, Psa_117:2, Psa_119:76, Psa_141:5, Pro_19:22, Pro_31:26, Isa_54:8, Isa_54:10, Jer_2:2, Joe_2:13, Jon_4:2

There are more words translated into English from this Hebrew word, but these are the two prominent ones. The majority of the time this word is translated as “mercy”.

Psa 86:13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Hos 6:5  Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
Hos 6:6  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

So, mercy is a law and Jesus said as much.
Mat 23:22  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

We are told to keep the maw of mercy and that is what the virtuous woman is all about. However, we must also mix mercy with wisdom and not always error on the side of mercy if we aren’t using wisdom to know when to show mercy.

Again, James tells us this.

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Pro 8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Pro 8:12  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Given all that we have mentioned about wisdom, how does the virtuous woman who opens her mouth with wisdom and speaks with her tongue loving mercy, apply this to her own life and way of living?

Well, she probably looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness according to Proverbs 31:27.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

What does it mean to look well to the ways of her household? A mother and wife naturally will be concerned with the wellness and well-being of those in the household.

New Testament examples of looking well to the ways of the household can be found in 1 Tim and Titus 2.

1Ti 5:11  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1Ti 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15  For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Tit 2:3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Now, if these things apply to physical women, how much more do they apply to all the household of God who are the body of Christ, the church of the living God?

Additionally, if we accumulate everything that this virtuous woman has done and achieved we will notice that we are again being told that she is one who looks after her home well. Didn’t we already know this about this woman, that she rises early to tend to the needs of her household and those within it?

In other words, we need to REMEMBER our first love.

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Keeping wisdom and mercy within our hearts and minds at all times is what we need to do.

This spiritual concept is exactly what not eating the bread of idleness is all about. Eating of “that bread” is feeding the old serpent.

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Ecc 10:16  Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ecc 10:17  Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Ecc 10:18  By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Eze 16:46  And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
Eze 16:47  Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
Eze 16:48  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
Eze 16:49  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Eze 16:50  And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

The lesson to be pulled from this is that as we become more successful and as we age within the mindset of taking care of the things daily that need to be taken care of, we must continue to do these things as we did from the start.

We must always be diligent to remember that until it is the end, we have NOT overcome in FULL. We must get to the end so that we can claim that we have overcome until the end.

Looking well to the household of God includes many things but here is a good place to start.

Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

If that is all not clear enough, I want to show you now who you are you your Husband and what He expects from His wife that speaks His wisdom and has mercy on her lips.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:27  She looketh wellH6822 to the waysH1979 of her household,H1004 and eatethH398 notH3808 the breadH3899 of idleness.H6104

I think you will recognize she who looketh well because she is none other than the watchmen that we have talked so much about.

H6822
tsâphâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 38
watchman, 14
2Sa_18:24-27 (5), 2Ki_9:17-18 (2), 2Ki_9:20, Isa_21:6, Eze_3:17, Eze_33:2, Hos_9:6-8 (3)
watch, 5
Gen_31:49, 2Sa_13:34, Isa_21:5, Hab_2:1 (2)
watchmen, 5
1Sa_14:16, Isa_52:8, Isa_56:10, Jer_6:17, Mic_7:4
look, 2
Psa_5:3, Mic_7:7
looketh, 2
Pro_31:27, Son_7:4
watching, 2
1Sa_4:13, Lam_4:17
behold, 1
Psa_66:7
beholding, 1
Pro_15:3
espy, 1
Jer_48:19
waited, 1
Job_15:22
watched, 1
Lam_4:17
watcheth, 1
Psa_37:32
watchman’s, 1
Eze_33:6
well, 1
Pro_31:27

Yes, the spiritual connotation of this virtuous body of Christ, is that we are the acacia wood OVERLAID with gold in the household of God so that we can be among His tabernacle, be His tabernacle, from which His love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance can be made manifest to the world we are sent out into.

H1979
hălı̂ykâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 6
goings, 2
Psa_68:24 (2)
ways, 2
Pro_31:27, Hab_3:6
companies, 1
Job_6:19
walk, 1
Nah_2:5

Nah 2:5  He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk H1979; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

The same word used as “ways” in Proverbs 21:27 is used as “walk” in the verse above. Let us all be watchmen over one another as we care for one another as we go through this life striving to run towards the only Way, Truth and Life that matters in the end.

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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 11 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 11

May 15, 2016

with Steven Crook

Properly watching or locking a gate is important to anyone who understands that security is important for the thing or things the wall, fence or hedge are guarding. The gate is the entrance or exit from the thing that is being protected.

In our study today, we are going to examine three verses from Proverbs 31 which show us another angle of who we are to Jesus Christ and who Jesus Christ is to us.

Our Husband is known

Jesus Christ is obviously important to the body of Christ also talked about as the virtuous body of Christ in this series, but Jesus Christ is much more than a man we can imagine in our minds. In fact, Jesus Christ is the way, truth and life to the plan God has for all of humanity.

That all is fairly straight forward and obvious to any Christian, but there are Jews who are in the flesh and Jews who are of the heart, and Jesus Christ to the latter group is much more than a mere man.

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Jesus Christ is known in the gates. How is He known in the gates when He sits among the elders of the land?

Elders traditionally are those who are highly respected and esteemed in their communities. They would obviously be those who were trusted and approved of among those in that same community, so how would Jesus Christ be known in the gates when He sits among these elders?

First off, what is the gate being referred to, and secondly who are the elders?

There are many different gates we can refer to and many aspects we could expound upon, but I am going to focus on a very important gate, namely the gate to the tabernacle. This gate and the things that apply to it can corporately be applied to the gate of the “new city” as well, but I don’t want to get to far ahead of myself.

Exo 27:16  And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

Exo 38:18  And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.

Exo 40:33  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

We’ve talked a lot of about the blue, purple and scarlet colors and the fine linen within this series, so just take those same principles and apply them to this study.

Hopefully, we will see how the gate and the elders are all connected together with Jesus Christ. Here are some of the verses covering what we should consider the gate as in the New Testament.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The gate can either be wide or strait, but what is the “strait” gate. A few studies back in the awesome hands series, I covered what the “strait gate” is.

In fact, the awesome hands part 96 was named, “Straight Gate”. Instead of “reinventing the wheel” (pun intended if you re-read or listen to that study), I will just copy here what I wrote in that study because it fits directly here.

Remember, I am directly speaking on the tabernacle, the gate, and the fine linen objects currently in the awesome hands series, so it is very appropriate to include in this study and amazing timing of the Lord.

Jesus tells us that “strait is the gate and narrow is the way” that WE must us to ENTER into the kingdom of God.

So, it becomes very important that we understand what this “straight” gate is all about.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait G4728 gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The “strait” gate is G4728 and also means narrow, but it is a STANDING NARROW GATE. Here is the root of G4728.

G4728

stenos
sten-os'
Probably from the base of G2476; narrow (from obstacles standing close about): - strait.
Total KJV occurrences: 3

G4728
stenos
Total KJV Occurrences: 3
strait, 3
Mat_7:13-14 (2), Luk_13:24

This is only used a handful of times, but is from the base of G2476.

G2476

histēmi
his'-tay-mee
A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare G5087.
Total KJV occurrences: 156

G2576 means to STAND and is used 156 times in scripture with the majority being “stood”, “stand” or “standing”.

G2476
histēmi
Total KJV Occurrences: 161
stood, 60
Mat_2:9, Mat_12:46, Mat_13:2, Mat_20:32, Mat_26:73, Mat_27:11, Mat_27:47, Mar_10:49, Mar_11:5, Luk_5:1, Luk_6:8, Luk_6:17, Luk_7:14, Luk_7:38, Luk_17:12, Luk_18:11, Luk_18:40, Luk_19:8, Luk_23:10, Luk_23:35, Luk_23:49, Luk_24:36, Joh_1:35, Joh_6:22, Joh_7:37, Joh_11:56, Joh_12:29, Joh_18:5, Joh_18:16, Joh_18:18 (2), Joh_19:25 (2), Joh_20:11, Joh_20:19, Joh_20:26, Joh_21:4, Act_3:8, Act_9:7, Act_10:30, Act_12:13-14 (2), Act_16:9, Act_17:22, Act_21:40, Act_22:25, Act_24:20, Act_25:18, Act_27:21, Rev_5:6, Rev_7:9, Rev_7:11, Rev_8:2-3 (2), Rev_11:1, Rev_11:11, Rev_12:4, Rev_14:1 (2), Rev_18:17
stand, 36
Mat_12:25-26 (2), Mat_12:47, Mat_20:6, Mat_24:15, Mar_3:24-26 (3), Mar_9:1, Luk_6:8, Luk_8:20, Luk_11:18, Luk_13:25, Luk_21:36, Act_1:11, Act_5:20, Act_8:38, Act_25:10, Act_26:6, Act_26:16, Rom_5:2, Rom_14:4, 1Co_15:1, 2Co_1:24, Eph_6:11, Eph_6:13-14 (2), Col_4:12, Jam_2:3, 1Pe_5:12, Rev_3:20, Rev_6:17, Rev_10:5, Rev_15:2, Rev_18:15, Rev_20:12
standing, 23
Mat_6:5, Mat_16:28, Mat_20:3, Mat_20:6, Mar_3:31, Mar_13:14, Luk_1:11, Luk_5:2, Luk_9:27, Luk_18:13, Joh_8:9, Act_4:14 (3), Act_5:23, Act_5:25, Act_7:55-56 (2), Act_24:21, Rev_7:1, Rev_11:4, Rev_18:10, Rev_19:17
set, 11
Mat_18:2, Mat_25:33, Mar_9:36, Luk_4:9, Luk_9:47, Joh_8:3, Act_4:7, Act_5:27, Act_6:6, Act_6:13, Act_22:30
standeth, 8
Joh_1:26, Joh_3:29, 1Co_7:37, 1Co_10:12, 2Ti_2:19, Heb_10:11, Jam_5:9, Rev_10:8
still, 4
Mat_20:32, Mar_10:49, Luk_7:14, Act_8:38
establish, 3
Rom_3:31, Rom_10:3, Heb_10:9
appointed, 2
Act_1:23, Act_17:31
established, 2
Mat_18:16, 2Co_13:1
standest, 2
Act_7:33, Rom_11:20
abode, 1
Joh_8:44
brought, 1
Mar_13:9
continue, 1
Act_26:22
covenanted, 1
Mat_26:15
holden, 1
Rom_14:4
lay, 1
Act_7:60
make, 1
Rom_14:4
present, 1
Jud_1:24
setteth, 1
Mat_4:5
stanched, 1
Luk_8:44

Here are a few of those verses:

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The "strait" gate is one that is a narrow standing. We are called to STAND in the Truth of the Word of God and we are FREE because of it. However, that does not mean we are not slaves/prisoners to our Master Jesus

Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

We are all called to be witnesses to the work the Lord has started in us all and will eventually work in all of mankind.

Look at what Jesus immediately says after telling us to enter in at the straight gate:

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17  Even so every GOOD TREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a CORRUPT TREE bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Eph 4:14  That we HENCEFORTH be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

False prophets have false doctrines. False doctrines are for and about another Jesus. Jesus tells us that these false prophets are trees which are known by their fruit. Therefore, prophets of the Lord, are also trees and will ALSO be known by their fruit.

As the body of Christ and those who have the testimony of Jesus, we are the acacia wood of the temple which is coupled together to form the frame of the tabernacle of God. However, we are used to carry the WORDS of the book WITHIN US as we carry the weight of the covering of the tabernacle on us, the frame of the tabernacle.

If you want to know more about the acacia wood, please read the last 5 or 6 awesome hands studies.

How the “narrow standing gate” connects to Proverbs 31 is very revealing to how we know how to deal with false idols and false doctrines and WHY the Husband of the virtuous body of Christ is known in the gate when He sits among the elders.

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Notice in verses 24 that the virtuous woman MAKES fine linen and SELLS it and makes GIRDLES that are wearable by those who buy these goods.

If you were paying attention to the GATE that is MADE of FINE LINEN, then you would also recognize that this gate hangs off of STANDING PILLARS.

The tabernacle has an outer gate where all of Israel must come through to enter into the outer court of the tabernacle and then the inner tabernacle has another fine linen gate leading into the holies.

The outer gate is hung on four pillars and the inner curtain or gate is hanging on 5 pillars, but the thing to take away from this example, and for this study, is that the pillars and the gates are all collectively the “tabernacle”, the Head and body, or otherwise known as Jesus the Christ.

Within that body there are appointments made for elders who are to be overseers.  It is very appropriate that Paul speaks about following him AS he follows Jesus Christ.

1Co 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1Co 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Co 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1Co 11:2  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

The “watchers of the gate” will always be those who point you to Jesus Christ. Once we individually KNOW the Truth, once we individually KNOW Jesus Christ, then we become those lights in the world who point the way to the narrow gate and way.

That is what making and selling “fine linen” to the merchants is all about. Merchants are those that buy and sell themselves. So, who is BUYING your GOODS?

Who is looking at your CLOTHING and determining what it is you are wearing? After all, your CLOTHING is STRENGTH and HONOR and causes YOU to REJOICE in what is coming for all of mankind.

2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2Co 5:3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2Co 5:4  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Co 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Rev 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Rev 10:1  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

It should be clear that we are clothed with Jesus Christ, our Husband, but Jesus Christ came proclaiming doctrine. His words are His doctrine and we too, Lord willing, will always be “watchers in/of the gate” and proclaim “His doctrine” to those who are buying our goods.

As watchers, we need to always be listening and taking note of the doctrines that try to “enter into the city” of our hearts and minds, as well as the body of Christ’s heart and mind, so that we can be faithful watchmen.

Isa 52:8  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Jer 6:17  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Jer 31:6  For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

If you are wondering why I mention and watchmen and the gates together, please review my recent awesome hands series which talk about the “overlay” of gold found on various items in the tabernacle.

The crux of it is that the Hebrew word “overlay” is directly connected to “watchmen”.

Exo 25:13  And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay H6823 them with gold.

H6823

tsâphâh
tsaw-faw'
A primitive root (probably rather identical with H6822 through the idea of expansion in outlook transformed to act); to sheet over (especially with metal): - cover, overlay.
Total KJV occurrences: 46

H6822
tsâphâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 38
watchman, 14
2Sa_18:24-27 (5), 2Ki_9:17-18 (2), 2Ki_9:20, Isa_21:6, Eze_3:17, Eze_33:2, Hos_9:6-8 (3)
watch, 5
Gen_31:49, 2Sa_13:34, Isa_21:5, Hab_2:1 (2)
watchmen, 5
1Sa_14:16, Isa_52:8, Isa_56:10, Jer_6:17, Mic_7:4
look, 2
Psa_5:3, Mic_7:7
looketh, 2
Pro_31:27, Son_7:4
watching, 2
1Sa_4:13, Lam_4:17
behold, 1
Psa_66:7
beholding, 1
Pro_15:3
espy, 1
Jer_48:19
waited, 1
Job_15:22
watched, 1
Lam_4:17
watcheth, 1
Psa_37:32
watchman’s, 1
Eze_33:6
well, 1
Pro_31:27

A watchman “covers” the city with his watching eyes and attentive service to the safety of the city or thing he is watching over.

Our Husband Jesus Christ is known in the gates as the elders always points to Him and His doctrine.

Our job as the wife of Jesus Christ is to make fine linen coverings to sell to those who are buying so that they too can have strength and honor as their clothing.

Of course the making is always in the form of being DOERS of the WORD and not hearers only, and that can ONLY be accomplished by God working it out in us daily. Let us always pray for this to take place in our lives.

It is an honor for a kings to search our all matters of scripture, and this is especially true for the kings and priests we all are being raised up into. Let us all be diligent watchers at the gate for the voice of the True Shephard.

Pro 25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 10

May 8, 2016

with Steven Crook

For most of the series we have been studying traits of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 which seem to indicate she has her act together when it comes to her home and her marriage.

However, as we all know from living our own lives in the flesh, life simply isn’t easy and except we have the grace of God we could not keep going in most situations, and we are able to because of God’s grace. After all, we are who we are because of God’s grace.

1Co 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1Co 15:11  Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Our verses today will cover the courage it takes to be the virtuous body of Christ. You don’t think it takes courage to be a member of a household which is reviled and HATED by all its neighbors yet stays put in the circumstance it is placed in? While being in this situation you also LOVE your neighbor as yourself? That takes only courage that the Lord can give.

1Co 7:20  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Seeing the winter approaching and knowing that the Lord at times is not giving increase in the “snowy time” can cause many to go astray from their Husband, but those of the virtuous body of Christ who trust their Husband are “not afraid of the snow for their household”.

Her clothing is that of silk and purple and her husband is known in the gates.

Pro 31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

In our study today, we are going to cover these verses and how the apply to the body of Christ and to our lives each and every day.

Snow, scarlet, silk and purple

Pro 31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

There are a lot of spiritual meanings that are attached to the words found in verse 21.

There are always positives and negatives to scripture and that is true for this verse. I’ve read a lot of commentaries that say that the word used as “scarlet” here could be translated here are “double garments” for its implied warmth but that is not necessary when we just compare it to the other times it is mentioned in scripture. White and scarlet are mentioned many times in scripture.

Immediately, I think of us becoming white by being washed in blood.

Rev 7:13  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

With the positive application of white we know it represents purity, but in a negative application, it represents the change that comes about when the winter is happening and there is no growth but only survival of whatever that winter brings.

Our virtuous woman is prepared for these times and is not afraid or fearful of these times. The things needed for the flesh are being taken care of with this virtuous woman, but she also does it in a NON fearful way.

In the tabernacle, blue, purple and scarlet are the colors mentioned along with white. These are all used to show us that the tabernacle of God represents many different things at one time.

For example, all Israelites have to pass through a fine linen gate which was made of these colors while the rest of the perimeter was all white. Also, the innermost covering of the tabernacle itself was fine linen made in these colors.

Exo 26:1  Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

The Israelites immediately saw an altar that the sacrifices were offered on. Blood would have been a very common site here because all of the sins were being acknowledged and dealt with here.

What is one of the negative aspects and applications of crimson/scarlet/blood/red?

Isa 1:16  Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Isa 1:17  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

It is through the blood that we are saved, just like with the story of Rahab saving her household.

Jos 2:17  And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
Jos 2:18  Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
Jos 2:19  And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
Jos 2:20  And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
Jos 2:21  And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

Like Rahab in type, the virtuous woman we read about sees that winter CAN BE DANGEROUS and she prepares a way for her household to be “warm”. Scarlet, or bright red, represent warmth when you contrast it with the “cold white snow”.

Even while this virtuous woman is providing for her home, she is providing for their physical needs when she is keeping them warm. This is NOT a bad thing but needed.

When we talk about the spiritual meaning in the negative application, scarlet is speaking about things that pertain to the flesh and pertain to death and sin as we saw in Isaiah but which we can also see in Matt 27 and Rev 17.

Mat 27:27  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
Mat 27:28  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
Mat 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:6  And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Always remember that it is through blood that we become white as snow, and a virtuous wife will desire to provide life for her household.

The blood on the doorpost is always something that marks a home as the home of one of the Lord’s own.

Not only is she providing for the natural need of needing clothing for household and for herself, but she also takes the time to make it a quality product.

Coverings of tapestry

Coupling this concept with the verse 22 really makes “this woman’s work” really start to make sense.

Pro 31:22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

The virtuous woman is always busy with the work that needs to be done. The “coverings of tapestry” is a bedspread and this can be seen in the only other time that this phrase is used in scripture.

The virtuous woman makes this for her bed and her spouse, but there is also a negative application of this phrase as well.

In the verses we are going to read here, the “coverings of tapestry” found in Proverbs 7 are those of a harlot versus a virtuous woman.

Pro 7:10  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Pro 7:11  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Pro 7:12  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Pro 7:13  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
Pro 7:14  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
Pro 7:15  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
Pro 7:16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
Pro 7:17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Pro 7:18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
Pro 7:19  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Notice the harlot does not “keep herself at home” but rather she claims to have peace offerings and paid vows. Best of all for this harlot is that the “goodman” is not at home. Therefore, she entices this man with her bed and all the things she has done to prepare her bed for him and her.

Obviously, this is the opposite of the same attributes that the virtuous woman holds for her King and their bed together.

What we really are reading is the story of us desiring the ways of Babylon and that “bed” which causes us to run to the slaughter, as a bird to the snare, not realizing that our spiritual life is being forfeited when we sleep with a harlot.

Pro 7:20  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
Pro 7:21  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Pro 7:22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
Pro 7:23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Pro 7:24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Pro 7:25  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Pro 7:26  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Pro 7:27  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

On the opposite spectrum, king Lemuel is told by his mother to seek this woman who properly prepares her bed for her husband and the way to know the difference is by looking on their “clothing”.

Sure a harlot can wear nice things, but usually a harlot looks the part of a harlot and most times has enticing attire on and not a “proper covering”. In contrast, the virtuous woman is dressed to the nines so to speak.

Our focus is not on that of the outward appearance but on what the covering of fine linen and purple represent spiritually. We do not want to be a respecter of persons but rather want to know how to judge proper righteous judgment concerning the coverings of someone (including their “bed coverings”).

Pro 31:22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk H8336 and purple.

The KJV translates silk in this verse but it does not translate this word any other time as silk but linen.

H8336
shêsh  /  sheshı̂y
Total KJV Occurrences: 42
linen, 37
Gen_41:42, Exo_25:4, Exo_26:1, Exo_26:31, Exo_26:36, Exo_27:9, Exo_27:16, Exo_27:18, Exo_28:5-6 (2), Exo_28:8, Exo_28:15, Exo_28:39 (2), Exo_35:6, Exo_35:23, Exo_35:25, Exo_35:35, Exo_36:8, Exo_36:35, Exo_36:37, Exo_38:9, Exo_38:16, Exo_38:18, Exo_38:23, Exo_39:2-3 (2), Exo_39:5, Exo_39:8, Exo_39:27-29 (5), Eze_16:10, Eze_16:13, Eze_27:7
marble, 3
Est_1:6 (2), Son_5:15
blue, 1
Est_1:6
silk, 1
Pro_31:22

The virtuous woman is covered in fine linen and purple, and purple is the color of royalty.

Exo 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3  And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4  And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

2Ch 3:14  And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

Jdg 8:26  And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.

Son 7:5  Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
Son 7:6  How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

If we are looking into the spiritual meaning of our covering, it is of course Jesus Christ our Husband.

It may seem like I am making a bigger deal of this verse than what I should, but how we view “coverings” in respect to what a person is covered with is huge in our Christian walk.

In fact, if we do not properly know about this topic then it is likely that we sin daily in this one regard as it pertains to those we interact with.

Jas 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:2  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jas 2:3  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jas 2:4  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jas 2:6  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jas 2:7  Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jas 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

How is it that we are become judges of evil thoughts if we are PARTIAL in our hearts and minds? Simply allowing that you are OKAY with making partial judgments based on a person’s looks, you have then judged that this is an OKAY way to think, but your judgement is corrupt.

Again, before we consider that these things are only speaking about physical attire, what then is this PARABLE about spoken by Jesus Himself?

Listen closely and consider that these verses are NOT about physical raiment ONLY and outward appearances.

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Lord tells us that He will provide for our needs when we seek first the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is made up of TWO MEN.

So, when we seek out the kingdom of God we are seeking how we are to be covered TODAY while our old man Adam dominates the flesh and looks for the things of the flesh and the NEW MAN ADAM seeks for only those things which benefit the spiritual man and the Kingdom of God the Father.

Why then do we SEEK to be CLOTHED UPON if it has been promised to us already? Why do we look to be FED and GIVEN DRINK if we are told that we are FIRST to seek the KINGDOM of GOD?

How this connects to those who have finen linen and purple royal clothing is that this represents that THEY THEMSELVES have done NOTHING to earn this.

When you connect the harlot we read about in Proverbs 7 with the woman that is rescued and given the highest seat in the home by her rescuing husband, it might become clear that this virtuous woman, was ONCE A HARLOT, who played the harlot. This is not a chronological story but a spiritual one.

Is that blasphemous? You be the judge in the Spirit of these spiritual matters.

Eze 16:1  Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 16:2  Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Eze 16:5  None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.
Eze 16:6  And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.

Eze 16:8  Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
Eze 16:9  Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.
Eze 16:10  I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
Eze 16:11  I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
Eze 16:12  And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
Eze 16:13  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.
Eze 16:14  And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 16:15  But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

Eze 16:60  Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

Eze 16:62  And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:

The virtuous body of Christ has come to know and understand just how loving their Husband is because though we have been loved, and then played the harlot with all the abdominal doctrines of the world and earth, we are still welcomed into the home of a King who makes us His wife.

When we see others in our lives we are to no longer see them in the flesh though they will almost certainly be concerned with the flesh themselves.

Rather, our focus is always on what is happening in the heavens and whether or not someone is a part of the household of Faith. Regardless, we are not to be a respecter of persons in or out of the household of God.

Once we are able to look at others in this capacity, it is miraculous how much your outlook on others changes and your relationships with them.

Just like the harlot who is rescued by her Lord, we too hearken back to the time when we ourselves were shown mercy and given a Godly mansion in the kingdom of God.

In the next study, we are going to look at why the elders of the land “know who the Husband is” and how it is the virtuous woman is able to sell her fine linen goods to others so that they too can partake of the kingdom of God.

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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 9 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 9

May 1, 2016

with Steven Crook

We’ve arrived in our study today to find that our virtuous woman is one who is caring for those around her.

This is an admirable trait for anyone, but when we dive into our verses today, we will notice that those who are helped by this virtuous woman are not always who we think they are which need her help.

Today’s study will also help emphasis our need to “work with our hands”, laying them to the spindle, so that we can look into what we are really being told in any given verse. This of course is needed when we study scriptures which have been translated from their original languages into the languages we have today.

The poor and needy

The verse of focus for us today is Proverbs 31:20.

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

When we look at the first part of verse 20, we read it and it seems self-explanatory. However, there is a deeper meaning than what our English translation has captured in the KJV.

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth outH6566 her handH3709 to the poor;H6041 yea, she reacheth forthH7971 her handsH3027 to the needy.H34

H6041
‛ânı̂y
Total KJV Occurrences: 82
poor, 59
Exo_22:25, Lev_19:10, Lev_23:22, Deu_24:11-12 (2), Deu_24:14-15 (2), Job_24:9, Job_24:14, Job_29:12, Job_36:6, Job_36:15, Psa_9:18, Psa_10:2, Psa_10:9 (2), Psa_34:5-6 (3), Psa_35:10 (2), Psa_37:14, Psa_40:17, Psa_68:10, Psa_69:29, Psa_70:5, Psa_72:2, Psa_72:4, Psa_72:12, Psa_74:19, Psa_74:21, Psa_86:1, Psa_109:16, Psa_109:22, Pro_14:21, Pro_30:14, Pro_31:9, Pro_31:20, Ecc_6:8, Isa_3:14-15 (2), Isa_10:2, Isa_10:30, Isa_14:32, Isa_32:6-7 (2), Isa_41:17, Isa_58:7, Isa_66:2, Jer_22:16, Eze_16:49, Eze_18:12, Eze_18:17, Eze_22:29, Amo_8:4, Hab_3:14, Zec_7:10, Zec_11:7, Zec_11:11
afflicted, 15
2Sa_22:28, Job_34:28, Psa_18:27, Psa_22:24, Psa_25:16, Psa_82:3, Psa_88:15, Psa_102:1, Psa_140:12, Pro_15:15, Pro_22:22, Isa_49:13, Isa_51:21, Zep_3:11-12 (2)
humble, 5
Psa_10:12 (3), Psa_10:17, Psa_34:2, Psa_69:32
lowly, 3
Pro_3:34, Pro_16:19, Zec_9:9

The majority of the time this word is translated as poor, but there is a deep rooted meaning behind this Hebrew word that is not captured fully in verse 20.

H6041

‛ânı̂y
aw-nee'
From H6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically the same as H6035 subjectively and H6041 objectively): - afflicted, humble`, lowly`, needy, poor.
Total KJV occurrences: 75

H6031

‛ânâh
aw-naw'
A primitive root (possibly rather identical with H6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively (in various applications). (sing is by mistake for H6030.): - abase self, afflict (-ion, self), answer [by mistake for H6030], chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing [by mistake for H6030], speak [by mistake for H6030], submit self, weaken, X in any wise.
Total KJV occurrences: 83

I will list the majority of the time this word is translated so save some note space. Fifty of the eighty-three times that the root of the word “poor” in verse 20 is translated as afflict to afflicted.

H6031
‛ânâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 83
afflict, 29
Gen_15:13, Gen_31:50, Exo_1:11, Exo_22:22-23 (2), Lev_16:29, Lev_16:31, Lev_23:27, Lev_23:32, Num_24:24 (2), Num_29:7, Num_30:13, Jdg_16:5-6 (2), Jdg_16:19, 2Sa_7:10, 1Ki_11:39, 2Ch_6:26, Ezr_8:21, Job_37:23, Psa_55:19, Psa_89:22, Isa_58:5 (2), Isa_64:12, Lam_3:33, Nah_1:12, Zep_3:19
afflicted, 21
Exo_1:12, Lev_23:29, Deu_26:6, 1Ki_2:26 (2), 2Ki_17:20, Job_30:11, Psa_88:7, Psa_90:15, Psa_107:17, Psa_116:10, Psa_119:67, Psa_119:71, Psa_119:75, Psa_119:107, Isa_53:4, Isa_53:7, Isa_58:3, Isa_58:10, Isa_60:14, Nah_1:12
humbled, 7
Deu_8:3, Deu_21:14, Deu_22:24, Deu_22:29, Psa_35:13, Eze_22:10-11 (2)

Clearly, those which are poor are those which are depressed and afflicted. Who do we, as the virtuous body of Christ, know who is depressed and afflicted? Let’s see if scripture can help us figure it out

Exo 1:12  But the more they afflicted H6031 them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Lev 23:26  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 23:27  Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict H6031 your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 23:28  And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Lev 23:29  For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted H6031 in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

2Sa 22:25  Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
2Sa 22:26  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
2Sa 22:27  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
2Sa 22:28  And the afflicted H6031 people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

Psa 119:75  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted H6031 me.

Pro 22:22  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted H6031 in the gate:

These are a few of the old testament examples of those who the virtuous woman stretches out her hand to. Since we want to take out of our old and new “treasure”, what does the new testament say about those who are afflicted?

Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

2Co 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Co 1:6  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Co 1:7  And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

1Ti 5:9  Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
1Ti 5:10  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Heb 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Jas 5:13  Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

I read a lot of these verses and their surrounding verses to help form a word picture of what it means to be afflicted.

Those who are afflicted are those who are depressed in the spirit. However, as we just read, this can be affliction caused by the Lord for us to be humbled by it and there are also times when we need to afflict ourselves.

This simply means that there are times when we must HUMBLE ourselves before the Lord and RECOGNIZE who we are in the Lord.

Anything we have been given has been given to us by the Lord and that certainly is not limited to physical things. We are more focused on spiritual gifts and fruits of the spirit.

When we look at the second part of Proverbs 31:20, we will see those who are “needy” are actually those who we would consider the “poor” among us.

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy H34.

H34
'ebyôn
Total KJV Occurrences: 61
needy, 35
Deu_15:11 (2), Deu_24:14, Job_24:4, Job_24:14, Psa_9:18, Psa_12:5, Psa_35:10, Psa_37:14, Psa_40:17, Psa_70:5, Psa_72:4, Psa_72:12-13 (3), Psa_74:21, Psa_82:4, Psa_86:1, Psa_109:16, Psa_109:22, Psa_113:7, Pro_30:14, Pro_31:9, Pro_31:20, Isa_14:30, Isa_25:4, Isa_32:7, Isa_41:17, Jer_5:28, Jer_22:16, Eze_16:49, Eze_18:12, Eze_22:29, Amo_4:1, Amo_8:4, Amo_8:6
poor, 25
Exo_23:6 (2), Exo_23:11, Deu_15:4, Deu_15:7 (2), Deu_15:9, Deu_15:11, Est_9:22, Job_29:15-16 (2), Job_30:25, Job_31:19, Psa_49:2, Psa_69:33, Psa_107:41, Psa_109:31, Psa_112:9, Psa_132:15, Psa_140:12, Pro_14:31, Isa_29:19, Jer_2:34, Jer_20:13, Amo_2:6, Amo_5:12
beggar, 1
1Sa_2:8

H34

'ebyôn
eb-yone'
From H14, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute: - beggar, needy, poor (man).
Total KJV occurrences: 61

H14

'âbâh
aw-baw'
A primitive root; to breathe after, that is (figuratively) to be acquiescent: - consent, rest content, will, be willing.
Total KJV occurrences: 54

According to Strong’s the root of being a person who is labeled “needy” is someone who is ready to accept something without protest or to do what someone else wants, and the word itself means someone is destitute and in need or poor

The idea being conveyed is that someone needy is willing to take whatever they can get without any sort of denial or upheaval at what they are receiving. They will accept whatever help they can get. They are willing to be content.

So, as the virtuous body of Christ, and as a wife that a “king” would be seeking, as instructed by Lemuel’s mother, we are willing to stretch forth our arm for those that are afflicted and are willing to be content with whatever it is we are able to help with.

Prayer and counsel come to mind, but there is also times where physical needs are needing to be helped as well of course.

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We see in James 2 that works accompany Faith because without works faith is dead. If someone has a physical need, we should tend to it as we are able.

If someone has a spiritual need, then we must ALSO have something that accompanies the Faith that is needed to help the need of this needy/poor person. They need works.

If we look back at the last study, a big part of that study was the focus on putting our hand to the spindle and using the distaff. In other words, we must be willing to do the WORK that is needed for the household of God so that our Faith is made manifest with that work.

What was the work that was the focus of the basic thread being weaved by this virtuous woman rising early to get the work done?

Prayer.

With prayer we also must REST. Wait, didn’t I just say there was WORK to be done?

Ahh, there it is, and apparent contradiction. How can prayer and rest be likened to WORK?

We all want to be able to help someone when the hour of their need comes to our ear. We want to help them fill their belly with food if they are hungry, we want to give them a place to stay when they need a roof for the night, we want to offer them funds to help them with their water bill when they need water, but do we at all consider that their needs are always spiritual first?

What do I mean by that?

If the Lord has placed them in a position to need Him, and He has sent them to us for that need, then being the virtuous body of Christ we need to be willing both to help physically and also spiritually.

Praying is the works that is needed, and RESTING in the Lord and waiting for His will to be made manifest is HUGELY important. Praying is the SHOWING of our gift of Faith.

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

We are given grace and faith so that we are saved THROUGH Faith and are faith is always TRIED in the FIRE. That is why even Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not removed. This is trialed Faith!

Here is an example of this concept at play. How is the Lord's will manifest in this story?

Mar 14:3  And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Mar 14:4  And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mar 14:5  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Mar 14:6  And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
Mar 14:7  For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
Mar 14:8  SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
Mar 14:9  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

How can the anointing Jesus Christ with precious oil in Mark 14 and working out our OWN salvation with FEAR and trembling in Philippians 2 be linked to stretching our HAND towards the afflicted and depressed and reaching forth our HANDS to the destitute?

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Stretching out the hand is the spreading of the hand wide open and “reaching forth” is SENDING OUT those hands to the needy.

In plain English, we are to fully provide the work we can provide to those who are afflicted and to make sure that WORK REACHS those who are destitute.

How or why are they destitute? It may seem obvious, but it is ALL OF THE LORD.

As hard as it is to accept at times, the Lord has worked in our lives both the good and evil to be caused to happen to us. Since that is the case, He and His will are also the SOLUTION to the afflictions and destitution we are in!

We have to REST in the answer He provides and as a virtuous body of Christ we must REST on whatever His manifest will is for us at the time of our destitution. We will either be relieved or need to continue to work through our trials and it is the TRIAL of your Faith that is precious to the Lord.

The pouring of oil on the head of Christ was giving God the CREDIT for having the POWER to prepare Jesus for His death. Those that had indignation within themselves were those who thought it was more beneficial to take this oil (power of God) and do what they thought was MOST VALAUBLE and expedient to do.

What did Jesus Christ call this work done to Him? A good work that would be remembered wherever the Gospel would be preached.

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

I ask you which of these situations of being hungry, thirsty, a stranger in a land, naked, sick or a prisoner is only speaking about these things PHYSICALLY?

Are these things I am about to read ONLY physical? These are things we must KEEP!

Rev 3:13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and REPENT.
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

What are the things we must overcome? What are the things which we must repent of?

As the virtuous body and wife of Christ, we must be willing to do the work of praying, resting and BELIEVING the Lord will give us deliverance of the things we just read. Wretchedness, being miserable, destitute and distressed, blindness and nakedness.

The Lord is WITH US so WHO or WHAT can be AGAINST US?

Have we not read Romans 8?

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord has been faithful in telling us we, I Steven Crook, will be SLAUGHTERED so when the time comes upon me I need to remember  that the Lord DOES LOVE ME!

When someone in need or who is poor comes to us, we must tell them that the Love of the Lord us REBUKING and CHASTENING but it is for good and the Lord calls us His BELOVED. This is how He shows us that we are His. The GOOD that comes from rebuking our carnal mind and flesh is what is needed to make us WHOLE and to be healed of all the things we mentioned in Matthew 25.

Let us always be willing to share the power of God with those who the Lord sends to us to pour His love out on, but we also need to always be mindful that those who are truly poor in the spirit will be more than content to have this POWER poured out on them. With this power comes great rebuking and chastening of the flesh and carnal mind that separates us from our Lord.

Audio Links

“The virtuous body of Christ” – Part 8

April 23, 2016

with Steven Crook

Our study today is focused on the work ethic of the virtuous woman who finds that her work is very useful for her household.

While we do not have the everyday need of spinning and preparing our own thread and clothing due to modern luxuries, there is still much we can recognize in the work that is involved in making sure these items were readily available for the needs of the household.

As with all scripture, there are age hold lessons which apply to us today in how we too can work for and prepare the appropriate items which represent who we are in Jesus Christ.

Working with our hands

Here is the verse we’ll be covering today:

Pro 31:19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The first verse we are covering today took a little research on my part to determine just what was being said. Thankfully, the internet provides a wonderful resource for all of us today to learn about the things we do not already know about J

I watched several videos about the thread making process and also the utilization of that thread being used to make clothing items.

The real take away of Proverbs 31:19 for me is the time involved in creating just the thread that is needed to create a garment or clothing item. The work itself does not seem terribly complicated to spin yarn or thread, especially when you get the mechanics of it down, but the time and skill involved in making the thread and then making an item at of it is quite impressive.

Remember, our virtuous woman is a woman who is married to a king. She would not have the “need” to create her own thread and clothing items. However, being that she is willing and able to get in the mix and be involved in lowly work is quite telling about another one of her admirable personality traits.

I am sure we all know of examples of people in our lives who we look at and admire the work quality and ethics they have, and you are not the only one. The Lord also admonishes us of the importance of working hard and not fearing to put in a “good day’s work”.

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress H5737 it and to keep it.

(MKJV)  And Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

The better translation translates the work “dress” the proper way because the majority of the time H5637 means to serve.

H5647

‛âbad
Total KJV Occurrences: 294
serve, 163
Gen_15:13-14 (2), Gen_25:23, Gen_27:29, Gen_27:40, Gen_29:15, Gen_29:18, Gen_29:25, Gen_29:27, Exo_1:13-14 (2), Exo_3:12, Exo_4:23, Exo_7:16, Exo_8:1, Exo_8:20, Exo_9:1, Exo_9:13, Exo_10:3, Exo_10:7-8 (2), Exo_10:11, Exo_10:24, Exo_10:26 (2), Exo_12:31, Exo_14:12 (2), Exo_20:5, Exo_21:2, Exo_21:6, Exo_23:24-25 (2), Exo_23:33, Lev_25:40, Num_4:24, Num_4:26, Num_8:25, Num_18:7, Num_18:21, Deu_4:19, Deu_4:28, Deu_5:9, Deu_6:13, Deu_7:4, Deu_7:16, Deu_8:19, Deu_10:12, Deu_10:20, Deu_11:13, Deu_11:16, Deu_12:30, Deu_13:2, Deu_13:4, Deu_13:6, Deu_13:13, Deu_15:12, Deu_20:11, Deu_28:14, Deu_28:36, Deu_28:48, Deu_28:64, Deu_29:18, Deu_30:17, Deu_31:20, Jos_16:10, Jos_22:5, Jos_23:7, Jos_24:14-16 (6), Jos_24:18-22 (5), Jos_24:24, Jdg_2:19, Jdg_9:28 (3), Jdg_9:38, 1Sa_7:3, 1Sa_10:7, 1Sa_11:1, 1Sa_12:10, 1Sa_12:14, 1Sa_12:20, 1Sa_12:24, 1Sa_17:9, 1Sa_26:19, 2Sa_15:8, 2Sa_16:19 (2), 2Sa_22:44, 1Ki_9:6, 1Ki_12:4, 1Ki_12:7, 2Ki_10:18, 2Ki_17:35, 2Ki_25:24, 1Ch_28:9, 2Ch_7:19, 2Ch_10:4, 2Ch_30:8, 2Ch_33:16, 2Ch_34:33 (2), 2Ch_35:3, Job_21:15, Job_36:11, Job_39:9, Psa_2:11, Psa_18:43, Psa_22:30, Psa_72:11, Psa_97:7, Psa_100:2, Psa_102:22, Isa_14:3, Isa_43:23-24 (3), Isa_60:12, Jer_5:19, Jer_13:10 (2), Jer_16:13, Jer_17:4, Jer_25:6, Jer_25:11, Jer_25:14, Jer_27:6-9 (5), Jer_27:11-14 (4), Jer_27:17, Jer_28:14 (2), Jer_34:8-10 (4), Jer_35:15, Jer_40:9 (2), Jer_44:3, Eze_20:39-40 (2), Eze_48:18-19 (4), Zep_3:9, Mal_3:14

Whatever occupation the Lord has us in, while in this life, is one where we have place there to glorify God in it. God made Adam and told him to serve and keep the garden to show us this example from the very start of man’s creation.

God Himself worked for 6 days and rested from His work on the 7th, so hard work is very important to the Lord. We cannot accomplish anything when we die so we need to do all we do to the glory of God while we are still here and breathing and capable of doing so.

Obviously, physical labor is not the only type of work that can be done so this is more about doing all you do to the glory of the Lord.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Ecc 9:9  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Col 3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Coupled with working hard is a warning for those that choose not to work but are able to. We find this stark warning from Paul to the church of Thessalonica.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

The point Paul is making here is very poignant and gets to the “heart” of the matter concerning the virtuous woman that king Lemuel is to seek according to His mother.

If one is able to work, and does not, then he does not eat. While this has an obvious physical application we are also to consider the spiritual applications.

We are told to command that those we fellowship with WORK and EAT their OWN BREAD. What does that mean?

How do we WORK for BREAD? Well, let’s see what work and bread are scripturally. It won’t take many verses to “work” this spiritual concept out.

There are two Greek words which are translated as “work” or “worketh”, but they are applied slightly differently. One represents “working fully” while another implies “to work”.

G2716:

Strong’s define G2716 as:

G2716
katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Thayers define G2716 as:

G2716

katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Here are some examples of G2716:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought G2716 the will of the Gentiles, WHEN WE WALKED in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working G2716 that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working G2716 death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform G2716 that which is good I find not.

The other Greek word that translates as “work” is G2038.

Strong’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
er-gad’-zom-ahee
Middle voice from G2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.: – commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
Total KJV occurrences: 39

Thayer’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to work, labour, do work
2) to trade, to make gains by trading, “do business”
3) to do, work out
3a) exercise, perform, commit
3b) to cause to exist, produce
4) to work for, earn by working, to acquire
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice from G2041
Citing in TDNT: 2:635, 251

Here are a few examples:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Joh 6:27  Labour G2038 not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh G2038 good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working G2038 with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The difference in these two different Greek words which are translated mostly as “work” is that one represents to do “work” that achieves something or a certain result and the other means to actually labor, do or work.

One is to accomplish or achieve something and the other is to do work.

In our Philippians example above, we “work out” our salvation which comes as a result of FEAR and TREMBLING, but it is God who does the LABOR of making the actual FEAR happen.

Another example of the differences from the verses above is that in Romans 7:13 is that death is the RESULT of sin working in us, but Ephesians 4:28 tells us that we actively work with our hands the thing that is good (work) so that we have to give to those in need.

This is exactly why the elect lady gets her hands on the spindle and distaff. She is willing to do the work that is needed but as a result she is able to gain what is needed to provide very valuable clothing for her home. She can also use these items as merchandise which she knows is very valuable.

Which mentioned earlier the connection of work and bread, so what is the bread as it connects to the home of this virtuous woman? This is another example of bread representing several things at once.

Bread is both the body of the Lord and WE are the body. We are the BREAD of LIFE to all those who have their Husbands heart, mind and voice WITHIN THEM.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.

Mat 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Joh 6:5  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Joh 6:6  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do G.

Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the TRUE BREAD from heaven.
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36  But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

I have shared this with you all before over the years and in various studies, and it will be considered 1000% blasphemy by orthodox Christianity, but if Jesus Christ says that HE is the BREAD from HEAVEN, and that the BREAD is HIS BODY, then WHO is the BREAD from HEAVEN?

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that WE MAY HAVE BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The day of judgment is NOW on the House of God, TODAY. As He is so are we. Jesus said EAT, this BREAD is MY BODY. This BREAD has come DOWN from HEAVEN. Who is the BREAD?

We are the body of Christ, the CHURCH of the LIVING God.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he EAT.

Eat what I ask you?

2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they WORK and EAT their own bread.

We are the body of Christ. We work for our Husband and do all that we do to His glory. When we do this we see that those who are CONNECTED with the body are PARTAKERS of the SAME BODY.

1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; JUDGE YE WHAT I SAY.
1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

What does COMMUNION mean?

G2842
koinōnia
Total KJV Occurrences: 20
fellowship, 12
Act_2:42, 1Co_1:9, 2Co_8:4, Eph_3:9 (2), Phi_1:5, Phi_2:1, Phi_3:10, 1Jo_1:3 (2), 1Jo_1:6-7 (2)
communion, 4
1Co_10:16 (2), 2Co_13:14 (2)
communicate, 1
Heb_13:16
communication, 1
Phm_1:6
contribution, 1
Rom_15:26
distribution, 1
2Co_9:13

What should we do if someone does not want to COMMUNE with the body of Christ?

Here is the sum of what a virtuous woman does when she is willing to work with her hands, to do the will of her husband (God in type), in order that her house might be in proper Godly order:

2Th 3:7  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Working entails getting your hands busy with the work of the Lord and the WORK of the LORD is WITH HIS HOUSE.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Jesus has entered the temple of God, His wife, and He knows her intimately. Do not make YOURSELF an IDOL sitting on the throne of God by considering yourself someone EXCLUDED from the body of Christ. Rather, consider yourself a partaker of her by communing with His wife.

Take a hold of the spindle and distaff and work the fine threads of a wonderful fabric of Life from heaven.

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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 7 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 7

April 17, 2016

with Steven Crook

 

Mar 4:26  And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27  And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Good or bad, we always want the harvest of the earth. Physically, it is required for us to live or die if we don’t have it and this is equally as true spiritually. Whether the beasts of the planet partake of the earth and then we use them for sustenance or if we grow crops for our food needs, we benefit from the “fruit” brought forth from the earth.

In our study today, we are going to consider verses 15-18 of Proverbs 31 and how they connect to the kingdom of God of which we are all being trained as kings and priests to rule in.

Today we find ourselves continuing to be admonished by the story of the virtuous woman as told in Proverbs 31.
In verses 15-18 we are told this about the wondrous lady and her qualities by our mother who tells us they are valuable to us as a husband and king.

Pro 31:15  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Pro 31:16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Pro 31:17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Pro 31:18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

The first quality found in the verses for today comes from the virtuous woman who is ready to work.

Notice, she does not wait for the morning when everyone else arises but she rises earlier than them to provide for the needs of her home. It is also implied that she must be wealthy because she has maidens which are given a portion as well.

She arises while it is yet night to do these tasks. So then we must consider the timing of her actions and who they benefit. They benefit her but also her household since she is obviously a part of her own household.

Here is what the night represents to us scripturally:

Gen 1:5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Exo 14:19  And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exo 14:20  And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Job 17:11  My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
Job 17:12  They (THE THOUGHTS OF THE HEART) change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
Job 17:13  If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
Job 17:14  I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

Psa 104:20  Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

Psa 139:11  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Rom 13:10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.2
Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

I attempted to use scripture to tell a story there about our transition from night to day. Light was brought forth from darkness just as we are brought forth from night, darkness and death into day, light and life.

In fact, the way darkness is revealed is by bring light to it from WITHIN it. There are many examples I could use, but there is one that is an example that comes from a recent exchange I read on the mailing list this week.

Gen 19:1  And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Gen 19:2  And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Gen 19:3  And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Gen 19:4  But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
Gen 19:5  And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
Gen 19:6  And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
Gen 19:7  And said, I pray you, BRETHREN, do not so wickedly.

There is a lot that is being said in this story but I am only going to point out applicable parts to our verses today. Notice it is evening when the angels of the Lord come to Sodom. Lot petitions them to stay with him all night but then the men of the city, who Lot references as BRETHREN, come to “do wickedness” to Lot’s guests.

Lot was a watchmen of the gate who knew what would happen to these men and no doubt tried to prevent this by welcoming them in to his home. With all of

Lot’s actions, it was the angels who ended up saving Lot in several ways. The angels saved Lot from the mobs by blinding them and then saved Lot from the LIGHT which would be brought upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

Gen 19:10  But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
Gen 19:11  And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

And a few verses later:

Gen 19:22  Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Gen 19:23  The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Gen 19:24  Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
Gen 19:25  And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

The angels of the Lord saved Lot and his family thereby showing us a type of the Passover. This was given to us in that they ate unleavened bread.

I also want you to notice that it was FIRE, which produces a large amount of LIGHT, which was called down from heaven form those which were WITHIN the city while it was DARK. Light was brought forth from darkness in this type and shadow and points us to those that are used, while it is night, to bring about the light of the Word of God.

1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Since we are talking about the traits of a virtuous woman we should consider this personality trait that she is who rises early to get to work and in this case it is for the work of the Lord. While other sleep she is providing for her household.

The fruit of our hands

Our next verse points us to why we want to be diligent. We mentioned in our last study that this virtuous woman seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands. Well, now we will see that she is benefitted by the work of her hands due to the increase that is gained.

Pro 31:16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

First she considers a field and then buys it. There is an obvious spiritual connection to what this field is and what is IN this field.

Mat 13:37  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

I started this study off by reading from Mark 4. In Mark 4, the earth is mentioned along with seed and harvest of the kingdom.

Let us now connect this with the vineyard and a great treasure.

Deu 28:12  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Pro 15:6  In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Mat 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Mat 13:52  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luk 5:37  And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
Luk 5:38  But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
Luk 5:39  No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

I have continuously stated that WE are, and anyone who God knows of, the body of Christ. We are the virtuous wife that Christ seeks. Christ means anointed. So anyone that is anointed is seeking this virtuous wife but what tells us that we are to ONLY SEEK this wife external to us?

In other words, the kingdom of God is WITHIN you!
If it hasn’t been realized yet, the wine that comes from vineyards, has just been PURCHASED by this virtuous woman but her currency is the blood of Jesus Christ.

The wine is DOCTRINE. That is why you see and immediate issue of doctrine being posed by the Pharisees right after Jesus speaks about the old and new wine being put in old and new bottles.

Luk 6:1  And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Luk 6:2  And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

Once you realise that you are standing on solid ground, a ROCK so to speak, then you are able to GIRD yourself with this strength.

Your legs are the most powerful muscle groups in your body as far as power goes. The thing that supports your walk is STRENGTH from your legs. Likewise, the thing that supports the STRENGTH of your work is YOUR ARMS.

Why do I mention your WALK and WORKS?

Pro 31:17  She girdeth H2296 her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

When we gird ourselves, we are places the girdle on our hips and legs around about the area of our waist.

H2296
châgar
BDB Definition:
1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt

Jdg 3:16  But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

1Sa 25:13  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

Since we are considering what this strength might be, and we know from scripture that our strength IS THE LORD, it is good for us to know the Lord Himself is covered in strength who then becomes our very covering.

Psa 93:1  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Having all this understanding, wisdom and knowledge helps us as this virtuous body of Christ to know that what we have is truly valuable.

Pro 31:18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

We covered in the last study that the merchandise that we have is not from Babylon the great whore who has fallen but from the Lord. Merchandise is something that by definition must be purchased.

However, that purchasing process started because our Husband purchased us with His blood. Then, he gives us a crown as His queen along with a robe and ring which all give us very standing and power.

When we realize all that we have been freely given, it will cause our light to never go out.

In the tabernacle, the Lord commanded that a golden candlestick of oil and light burn day and night.

This is the same Light that must be lit so that the fire of the Word of God burns brightly within us.

Exo 38:21  This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Rev 15:5  And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

When we combine the concepts that the husband and wife are one with Jesus Christ and His bride being One, then we can conclude that when we arise in the night to take care of the needs of our household, we are doing so for the household of God.

When we purchase the WORLD, which we are, we do so with the blood of Christ and then we search WITHIN it to find the Light the burns there because this is where our Husband is and because we are concerned with the household and kingdom of God, we are ALWAYS conscious that our friends, family and enemies will all have this Light in them in the Lord’s timing.

This realization will help us keep focused on knowing that all is of the Lord and we are always seeking to work diligently for the kingdom.  None of us are perfect and we definitely have seasons which produce more work than others, but we should not let that discourage us from realizing just how much our Husband loves His wife.

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“The virtuous body of Christ” – Part 6

April 10, 2016

with Steven Crook

As I stare looking at the empty page set before me which will soon hold the contents of this study, I ceremoniously grasp the seriousness the Lord commands us with when he tells us to “become as little children”.

In order for any of the Word of God to take root in us, we must be empty of the things which might already fill the space which the Lord intends to depart to us His gifts and fruits of the Spirit.

In our study today, we are going to explore a few of these things which are so badly needed in the lives of Christians today and have been all throughout history.

In fact, we MUST “gather these things up” so that we can have life in Jesus Christ.

Though we are the virtuous body of Christ, we must also spiritually be children who are moldable into what the Lord tells us to become.

Become as little children

Notice the question posed to Jesus which prompts His very important answer to His disciples.

Mat 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 18:7  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

What follows this story is a litany of questions which were obviously on the minds of the disciples. Why is that? Didn’t the scripture they already had have the answers to these questions?

Many of those questions did have answers for the “old way”, but here is the Messiah giving all apparently NEW ways and ideas on how to view God the Father and what our relationship with Him is. So ask away they did.

The answer to who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven was answered with, “be converted and become as HUMBLE little children”.

Oh what an insult to our carnally minded natural man that is! Throw away all that makes us an adult and be like children?! What do you mean Lord?!

Our verses today will help us KNOW how to pursue this great and mysterious task of being silent women when our Husband Jesus Christ is present and therefore be humble in order to receive what it is He has prepared for us whenever we seek His answers.

Pro 31:13  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Pro 31:14  She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

On the surface it appears that verse 13 is speaking about clothing and being willing to work with your hands to shape these items into something that can be used to cover us up. Verse 14 just seems to be put there with no connection to verse 13, but it is very connected. How is that?

A part of “being as humble children” is looking into the things we are told with an acceptance that those things are being told to us honestly by those we trust.
So when we read she seeks wool and flax we might think, “Okay, but why wool and flax?”

Let us look at the Word of God and ask Him why a virtuous woman seeks wool and flax.

Pro 31:13  She seeketh woolH6785, and flaxH6593, and worketh willingly with her hands.

The Hebrew word used as wool is “tsemer” and is used 16 times.

H6785
tsemer
Total KJV Occurrences: 16
wool, 11
Jdg_6:37, 2Ki_3:4, Psa_147:16, Pro_31:13, Isa_1:18, Isa_51:8, Eze_27:18, Eze_34:3, Eze_44:17, Hos_2:5, Hos_2:9
woollen, 5
Lev_13:47-48 (2), Lev_13:52, Lev_13:59, Deu_22:11

This word is a root word and means “to be shaggy”.
H6785
tsemer
tseh’-mer
From an unused root probably meaning to be shaggy; wool: – wool (-len).
Total KJV occurrences: 16

What are some of the attributes of wool? Wool is the natural CLOTHING and covering of sheep. It is white but absorbs color dye very well (as well as blood), flame resistant and will not combust, water resistant and is very durable.

As few times as it is mentioned in the old testament, it is mentioned even less in the new testament.

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Rev 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Wool also is a great insulator but it is the air it TRAPS that makes it a good insulator. Air doesn’t allow heat to travel very well compared to other materials.

Those are some of the attributes of wool so what is our comparison/ and contrast of wool to flax?

Pro 31:13  She seeketh woolH6785, and flaxH6593, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Flax comes from crops and is a food and fiber. It can be cultivated and also produces oil.

Interestingly, flax in Hebrew is used the same amount of times as wool.

H6593
pishteh
Total KJV Occurrences: 16
linen, 9
Lev_13:47-48 (2), Lev_13:52, Lev_13:59, Deu_22:11, Jer_13:1, Eze_44:17-18 (3)
flax, 7
Jos_2:6, Jdg_15:14, Pro_31:13, Isa_19:9, Eze_40:3, Hos_2:5, Hos_2:9

It is also only used twice in the New Testament.

G3043
linon
Total KJV Occurrences: 2
flax, 1
Mat_12:20
linen, 1
Rev_15:6

Mat 12:18  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Mat 12:19  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
Mat 12:20  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax G3043 shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Mat 12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen G3043, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

However, in order to understand what flax is to us as a virtuous wife of Christ we must understand it’s root in Hebrew, literally and spiritually.

H6593

pishteh
pish-teh’
From the same as H6580 as in the sense of comminuting (common-ew-ting); linen (that is, the thread, as carded): – flax, linen.
Total KJV occurrences: 16

H6580

pash
pash
Probably from an unused root meaning to disintegrate; stupidity (as a result of grossness or of degeneracy): – extremity.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

H6580
pash
Total KJV Occurrences: 1
extremity, 1
Job_35:15

The definition of “comminute” is:

verb (used with object), comminuted, comminuting.
1.
to pulverize; triturate.
adjective
2.
comminuted; divided into small parts.
3.
powdered; pulverized.

What do we do with all this information? There are obviously no coincidences with the Lord. What do wool and flax have to do with willingly working with our hands?

Pro 31:13  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

If you have followed my awesome hands series or heard the study I did on a “willing offering”, then you would have gotten a little bit more understanding of what scripture refers to when it mentions “willing”, because we know there is no free will outside of God’s will according to scripture.

So, what then is willingly working with our hands according to the sum of the Word? This word is actually a different word used than the Hebrew word used as “willing” in the awesome hands series, and this time in Proverbs is the only time it is actually translated as “willingly”.

Here then is the true usage of the word:

H2656

chêphets
khay’-fets
From H2654; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind): – acceptable, delight (-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant (-ure), purpose, willingly.
Total KJV occurrences: 39

H2656
chêphets
Total KJV Occurrences: 39
pleasure, 16
Job_21:21, Job_22:3, Psa_111:2, Ecc_5:4, Ecc_12:1, Isa_44:28, Isa_46:10, Isa_48:14, Isa_53:10, Isa_58:3, Isa_58:13 (2), Jer_22:28, Jer_48:38, Hos_8:8, Mal_1:10
desire, 9
2Sa_23:5, 1Ki_9:8-11 (4), 1Ki_10:13, 2Ch_9:12, Job_31:16, Pro_3:15
delight, 3
1Sa_15:22, Psa_16:2-3 (2)
purpose, 3
Ecc_3:1, Ecc_3:17, Ecc_8:6
desired, 2
Psa_107:30, Pro_8:11
acceptable, 1
Ecc_12:10
delightsome, 1
Mal_3:12
desireth, 1
1Sa_18:25
matter, 1
Ecc_5:8
pleasant, 1
Isa_54:12
willingly, 1
Pro_31:12-13 (2)

This verses actually means and should say that this virtuous woman, who seeks out wool and flax, also pleasurably and desiringly works with her hands.

That not all though. This word “pleasure” or “desire” has a root.

H2654
châphêts
Total KJV Occurrences: 74
delight, 17
Gen_34:19, Num_14:8, Deu_21:14, 1Sa_18:22, 2Sa_15:26, 2Sa_24:3, Est_6:6, Psa_40:8, Psa_68:30, Psa_119:35, Pro_18:2, Isa_1:11, Isa_13:17, Isa_58:2 (2), Jer_6:10, Jer_9:24
delighteth, 12
Est_6:6-7 (2), Est_6:9 (2), Est_6:11, Psa_37:23, Psa_112:1, Psa_147:10, Isa_62:4, Isa_66:3, Mic_7:18, Mal_2:17
delighted, 10
1Sa_19:2, 2Sa_22:20, 1Ki_10:9, 2Ch_9:8, Est_2:14, Psa_18:19, Psa_22:8, Psa_109:17, Isa_65:12, Isa_66:4
pleased, 8
Jdg_13:23, 1Ki_9:1, Psa_51:19, Psa_115:3, Psa_135:6, Isa_42:21, Isa_53:10, Jon_1:14
desire, 6
Job_13:3, Job_21:14, Job_33:32, Psa_40:6, Psa_73:25, Jer_42:22
please, 5
Son_2:7, Son_3:5, Son_8:4, Isa_55:11, Isa_56:4
pleasure, 3
Eze_18:23, Eze_18:32, Eze_33:11
desirest, 2
Psa_51:6, Psa_51:16
like, 2
Deu_25:7-8 (2)
will, 2
Rth_3:13, Pro_21:1
desired, 1
Hos_6:6
favourest, 1
Psa_41:11
favoureth, 1
2Sa_20:11
moveth, 1
Job_40:17
pleaseth, 1
Ecc_8:3
well, 1
Isa_42:21
would, 1
1Sa_2:25

Pro 18:2  A foolH3684 hath noH3808 delightH2654 in understanding,H8394 butH3588 H518 that his heartH3820 may discover itself.H1540

Pro 18:2  A fool hath no delightH2654 in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

How then does this all come together? I could read a lot of these verses but I believe the following verses really bring this together nicely.

Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14  For the MERCHANDISE of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire H2656 are not to be compared unto her.

1Co 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, AND the wisdom of God.

1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Merchant ships carry merchandise. What is the virtuous woman like that seeks wisdom and understanding?

Pro 31:14  She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar

All of these words are symbols, types and shadows, of the things which they also represent in the physical world.

The negative application that this woman seeks wool and flax, things of the flesh (wool from sheep) and of the earth (flax that grows from the earth), is that they provide for our physical covering and give us something to do in the flesh (work with our hands).
These things are not negative alone except they provide for US to take credit for whatever work we do.

However, the positive and spiritual reason this virtuous woman seeks wool is for Jesus Christ as our HEAD and COVERING. She spiritually seeks flax because we want to SHAPENED into the VERY IMAGE of our Husband and that takes PULVERISATION of whoever “WE” are as Steven Crook or whoever we are known as in the flesh. We want to be ONE with Him which has been a very common theme and thread throughout all of these studies in this series.

Isn’t this concept told to us in scripture and even proven to us in the aspect of marriage where a woman drops her maiden name to take on the name of her husband?

The “merchandise” of this woman’s ship IS the food she is bringing from “afar”. When we see that this merchandise has a positive and negative application, then we can see the true meaning of seeking wool and flax, working with our hands delightfully and bringing the “true food from heaven” from afar off.

Joh 2:12  After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Joh 2:13  And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
Joh 2:14  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Joh 2:17  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Joh 2:18  Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

What we, as the virtuous bride and body of Christ seek is to have our Husband’s wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We want to KNOW God the Father and His Son.

Contrast this “merchandise” of wisdom, understanding and knowledge with that which is TORN down as Jesus described above and replaced with the true temple of God.

Rev 18:9  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Rev 18:10  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Rev 18:17  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

In what hour do you suppose, that the great riches which come from the GREAT WHORE Babylon, which include FINE LINEN and SCARLET WOOL, come to and end and brought to nought?

Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luk 10:21  IN THAT HOUR Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Mar 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Joh 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

The wool and flax we seek is our covering Jesus Christ and His crushing us to powder so that we can be made anew, but we seek this not only for OURSELVES but for the ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD we have been placed to oversee spiritually.

See, this virtuous woman we have been reading about wants these things so the WORK she DOES with her hands can produce a PROFIT for her home and her home is the KINGDOM of God which has MANY children. Then, we can give all glory to God and present back to Jesus Christ the talents He has given us.

We know that we do not know “the hour” of visitation of our Lord AND Husband, but we want to be prepared when He comes.

In our next study, we will continue to see how we are to remain diligent with the work the Lord has given us to look well after his household.

Audio Links

“The virtuous body of Christ” – Part 5

April 3, 2016

with Steven Crook

Up until now, we have covered many different aspects of being a virtuous woman both as a woman naturally and as well as spiritually. For Christians, we are always looking toward the spiritual lessons we can learn about the verses we read and how we can apply them to our lives today.

With the study today we are going to look at how at the body of Christ can apply the spiritual concepts of not doing our Husband evil but good all the days of our lives, as well as, seeking wool, flax and working willingly with our hands.

Good and not evil

The verse for consideration today is found in Proverbs 31:12-14.

Pro 31:12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

The verse we are going to cover today deals directly with evil and good. It seems fairly straight forward and for the most part it is, but as with all scripture, there is more being said than appears initially.

What is evil and what is good to the Lord? We need to know so that we can know what we are being told about a woman who does good to her husband all the days of her life.

If we simply apply the carnal definitions of evil and good, then every woman on the planet has failed to do good to her husband all the days of her life and this is equally true for husbands towards their wives.

So, what are the scriptural definitions of these words and how are they applied in scripture? Due to time restraints, I will only use a few examples.

First off, let us see why the Lord created the “wo” man.

Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

(CLV) And calling is the human the names for every beast and for every flyer of the heavens, and for all field life. Yet for the human He does not find a helper as His complement.
(ESV)  The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.
(YLT)  And the man calleth names to all the cattle, and to fowl of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; and to man hath not been found an helper–as his counterpart.
So Adam needed a helper, compliment and counterpart to himself. As a result, what does God decide to do about this situation?
Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

In the previous study I emphasized the connection between the heart of the husband always trusting in his virtuous wife because they are one. It has been this way since the beginning, but being one goes beyond the physical connection couples have which anyone that has ever been in a relationship can attest to.
God pulled the support structure and protection to a man’s innermost fragile parts and gave him a woman out of that rib.
Contrary to the natural response this can(but doesn’t always) cause a woman to have about not being here on this planet simply to help a man, that IS why men and women are together.

Stepping outside of our natural thought processes of men and woman being in relationships, how many of us know what it is like to have a friend who is there when we need them? How many of us know the intellectual value of having someone we can count on?

When we add to this the intimate nature a man and woman share, then we can see there is much more to being a helper to a man than simply doing his laundry and cooking his food which is where.

Generally speaking, men have minds that allow us to have tunnel vision and focus intently on what we are doing and this is where we are stereotyped into not being very good multitaskers. Likewise, woman are stereotypically great at jugging many things at once.

However, either of this personality traits have weaknesses in them. One they are stereotypes but second if they do apply to us them there are pitfalls and strengths to both.

Woman are able to help men do more at once than they can do when they get tunnel vision and men are able to help women understand how to finish something to its completion instead of being a jack of all trades that never “masters” the things they are juggling.

Again, I know these are extremely base examples but they work well for the scriptural evidence of the truth behind them.

1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

This may be a shock to some, but we ARE a SPIRTUAL body of Christ right now and we will individually receive a spiritual body upon our resurrection.

However, if the first man Adam was given a helper then so too was the second Adam. Just as God the Father, who is Spirit, gave His Son to be in this physical tabernacle to represent Him, so too is the body of Christ, the church of the Living God, given in this fleshly tabernacle to represent her Husband.

How then is the virtuous body of Christ a helper to her Husband?

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Knowing that “eternal” mentioned in the KJV means aionion or aionios (age-abiding), then we know that those who don’t feed the hungry and thirsty, take strangers in, cloth the naked, visit the sick and those in prison are those who will be cast into aionion “fire punishment”.

Those that do these things to help the “least of these my brethren” will inherit the kingdom of God which has been prepared since the foundation of the world!

Who was pulled out of the “quickening spirit” Adam’s rib, proverbially speaking, since the foundation of the world?

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Since we have been chosen since the foundation of the world, what does scripture consider the virtuous woman doing as “good” since she does her husband good all the days of her life?

Pro 31:12  She will do him goodH2896 and not evil all the days of her life.

H2896
ṭôb
Total KJV Occurrences: 566
good, 365

H2896

ṭôb
tobe
From H2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well): – beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([-favoured]).
Total KJV occurrences: 553

The Hebrew translated in Proverbs 31:12 as “good” has a root which will help us get to the root of the matter of what “good” is.

H2895

ṭôb
tobe
A primitive root, to be (transitively do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense: – be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make), goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.
Total KJV occurrences: 31

H2895

ṭôb
Total KJV Occurrences: 22
well, 9
Num_11:18, Deu_5:33, Deu_15:16, Deu_19:13, Jdg_9:16, 1Sa_16:16, 1Sa_16:23, 2Ki_10:30, 2Ch_6:8
good, 6
Num_10:29, 1Ch_13:2, Est_5:4, Psa_119:68, Psa_125:4, Jer_32:41
please, 6
Neh_2:5, Neh_2:7, Est_1:19, Est_3:9, Est_5:8, Est_7:3
pleased, 1
Num_24:1

A few of these verses are:

Num 11:18  And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and YE SHALL EAST FLESH: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well H2895 with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.
Num 11:19  Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;
Num 11:20  But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

It is never a good idea to be freed as a slave to only want to go back to slavery because you somehow think it is “good”, better or “well” where you came from “back there in the past”.

This is a good practical way of thinking for us in general since we can NEVER relive the past. Trying to do so only produces NEGATIVE emotions and thoughts.

This is applicable for natural and spiritual men and women.

Deu 5:33  Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well H2895 with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

What about the flip side of the equation when we realize that being a helper can be hard since it is something that is expected of us simply for being who we are?

How is the one who is being helped supposed to think about the person who is their helper?

We see this in type with our next example. Though it is referring to a master/slave relationship, the principal of how we are to think and treat someone who is serving us in some capacity is still applicable.

Deu 15:15  And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
Deu 15:16  And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
Deu 15:17  Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
Deu 15:18  It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

When and if we are prisoners of Christ, we feel and act the same way as this servant towards his master. We seek to please our Husband, as His virtuous wife, and that reflects in how we act day in and day out.

Neh 2:5  And I said unto the king, If it please H2895 the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

Est 1:19  If it please H2895 the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

Est 7:3  Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please H2895 the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Num 24:1  And when Balaam saw that it pleased H2895 the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

That briefly covers what it is to “do him good” all the days of her life, but what about not doing the evil part? Well, it would be the opposite of all the things considerd “good”.

Pro 31:12  She will do him good and not evil H7451 all the days of her life.

H7451
ra‛  /  râ‛âh
Total KJV Occurrences: 664
evil, 440

H7451
ra‛    râ‛âh
rah, raw-aw’
From H7489; bad or (as noun) evil (naturally or morally). This includes the second (feminine) form; as adjective or noun: – adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease (-ure), distress, evil ([-favouredness], man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief (-vous), harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief, (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, + not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st) wretchedness, wrong. [Including feminine ra’ah; as adjective or noun.]
Total KJV occurrences: 664

Gen 2:9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil H7451.

Pro 1:16  For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

There are 664 times “ra” or “evil” is mentioned in Hebrew, even more times than “good”, but it also has a root.
H7489

râ‛a‛
raw-ah’
A primitive root; properly to spoil (literally by breaking to pieces); figuratively to make (or be) good for nothing, that is, bad (physically, socially or morally). (associate selves and show self friendly are by mistake for H7462.): – afflict, associate selves [by mistake for H7462], break (down, in pieces), + displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly [by mistake for H7462], do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, X indeed, do mischief, punish, still vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse.
Total KJV occurrences: 98

H7489
râ‛a‛
BDB Definition:
1) to be bad, be evil
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be displeasing
1a2) to be sad
1a3) to be injurious, be evil
1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to do an injury or hurt
1b2) to do evil or wickedly
1b3) mischief (participle)
2) to break, shatter
2a) (Qal)
2a1) to break
2a2) broken (participle)
2a3) to be broken
2b) (Hithpolel) to be broken, be broken in pieces, be broken asunder
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root
Same Word by TWOT Number: 2191, 2192

Exo 5:22  And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil H7489 entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

Psa 94:16  Who will rise up for me against the evildoers H7489? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Isa 31:2  Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers H7489 , and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Gen 38:9  And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
Gen 38:10  And the thing which he did displeased H7489 the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

Gen 48:17  And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased H7489 him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.

Psa 2:9  Thou shalt break H7489 them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Psa 105:15  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm H7489.

Psa 44:2  How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict H7489 the people, and cast them out.

Pro 4:16  For they sleep not, except they have done mischief H7489; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

There are a lot of verses that have slightly different ways that this root of ra is translated into English, but the general idea of causing mischief, harming, afflicting, being wicked and displeasing your husband are the core of this concept. Again, we just need to look at the opposite of good that we mentioned earlier and that will tell us what it is to be evil towards our Husband Christ.

As the boyd of Christ, we should be praying to the Lord that He causes us to desire to do good towards Him all the days of our lives. As was clearly described earlier, this is accomplished by doing this to “the least of these my brethren”.

We should strive to be the light of the world, and not the darkness thereof. When given opportunity, we should be doing good to all of mankind but especially to the household of faith. This is doing good toward our Husband Jesus Christ.

G18
agathos
ag-ath-os’
A primary word; good (in any sense, often as noun): – benefit, good (-s, things), well. Compare G2570.
Total KJV occurrences: 102

Luk 8:15  But that on the good G2570 ground are they, which in an honest and good G18 heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good G18 unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest G2570 among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good G2570 works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The Lord is always watching and knows what is in all of our hearts. The way any of us serve our husbands and wives, physically or spiritually, is to follow the lead of the Word of God and apply those things to our minds on a regular basis. Straying from that puts us all in mindset that is not pleasing to the Lord.