Proverbs 18:22: Should you be looking, and what will you find?

Many times, we misquote scripture for our own benefits, and to fit it into our lifestyles or our ways of thinking, instead of allowing the scripture to take our filthy lives and make it useful and glorious to be presented before the Father. Other times, we simply misquote scripture because we never really learned it, but we just got it ‘passed down,’ For example- there were not just 2 of every animal on Noah’s Ark, but 2 of the unclean, AND 7 of the clean pairs. (Genesis 7:2-3-read it, It’s true!) And yet, even more often we take from the meaning our own judgments and translations, and then take it out of the context and content that it was used. For this passage, we will deal with the latter one. I also misquoted this scripture out of ignorance, but in my quiet time I decided to get understanding….hopefully this will bless you, like it blessed me.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and inherits the favor of the Lord.

Now everyone knows this scripture, but have you ever researched it? We have been taught that this clarifies that THE MAN is supposed to FIND the WIFE, and we use it to justify why a woman should not be looking for a man. Now on the superficial, this is one interpretation of the scripture, but it goes so much deeper than just this. Let’s take it word for word:

HE: On first thought, this is thought to mean just a man…But looking deeper this is the same HE that is used to describe Adam, Joseph and David. This HE is not just a male, but this is a male that has the mental capabilities of love, one that is set financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically to provide for a wife. The mental capacity to love comes from many sources; spirituality, maturity, respect, etc. It DOES NOT come from emotion. If love is based on emotion it is based on the maturity level of a teenager and most likely will falter in time, when the emotions subside. The Hebrew here refers specifically to men who have reached the mental capacity to love a woman with agape love- as God intended. This is a HE that is prepared for the responsibility of a wife and a family. The man who separates himself and seeks wisdom. HE must be ready for the serious and great task of loving a woman as Christ loves the Church, respecting her and honoring her as the weaker partner. (1 Peter 3:7) This HE is one who is serving the Lord in full capacity NOW as a single male. From this interpretation, many males don’t fit the characteristics of the HE, so therefore should not be looking.

That FINDS: Now this word is interesting because it does not take from the definition of the act of physically searching for something. Even Webster has the right definition: to discover or perceive after consideration; to come upon by chance; to become aware of, or discover (oneself), as being in a condition or location. WOW!! This means that If you are in the Path-Way, seeking the Lord, then you may happen to come upon, or discover your wife or husband to be, while in the Path-Way. Joseph was given his wife. Adam and David likewise did nothing to deserve their wives. You are directly in the focus of pursuing God and on the path that he has set, and when you are in the right location and condition, you may happen upon that appointed person.

A WIFE: Now this is not just referring to just a female. But this is referring to a woman that is worthy to be called by such a honorable name. A wife is esteemed, so therefore this label will not apply to all women. This wife is a jewel of great value, a rare jewel; he has found that one which will not only contribute more than anything to his comfort in this life, but will forward him in the way to heaven. This means if you are not praying and serving God now, single- you probably won’t start magically when you get married. It also refers to taking care of the responsibilities of the household and fulfilling your wifely roles-cooking, cleaning, caring for the family,e tc. (For those of you that are all for the Women’s Movement, Liberations, Equal Responsibilities and Roles-It may work (and should) in the Office World, but has no relevance or authority over God’s Word. WE STILL HAVE ROLES (Proverbs 31:10-31, Titus 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:22.I Peter 3:1-6) I didn’t write it, I’m just quoting it! This definition also has to do with THE MAN’s capacity to love that particular woman! “A good wife” is a woman the man recognizes as one whom he has the mental capacity to love. That is to say, a woman whom, through the ultimate source of the man’s soul, he would protect at all cost. I’m not just talking about protecting from physical harm. I’m talking about protection from defamation. That’s heavy.

Finds a GOOD THING: Now just because you are a female, and you get married, doesn’t mean that you will be a ‘good thing.’ In order to meet these qualifications you have to first meet the criteria of a WIFE. That means you also have to have your stuff together, and not just sitting around waiting on your life to start when your ‘Boaz’ shows up. To be FOUND, you have to be traveling in the same direction that HE was traveling-a path directed and ordained for God’s glory. Proverbs 31:12 She brings him GOOD all the days of his life. So are you living as a good thing right now? The Hebrew goes on to infer that the only way a man can, through the ultimate source of his soul, give his mental capacity of love to a woman, is if he recognizes in her, the ability to respond to his love. Women are designed by God to be the responders to a man’s love. So, “a good wife” is a woman who is capable of receiving from the ultimate source of a man’s soul, his mental attitude of love, and responding in kind.

And inherits the FAVOUR of the Lord: This is one of those ‘if,then’ clauses. IF, all the criteria are met before the ‘comma’, then you will receive the blessings after it. Favour - Obtains her not by his own diligence, but by God's good providence. Meaning that you can’t sway God’s hand or speed up his timing, but when and if He so sees fit, he will bestow it upon you.

I pray that you received this as a Word and use it to change your mindset and focus, if you (as I did) misinterpretated this scripture, or confirmation if this has already been revealed to you.
I love you, but HE LOVES YOU MORE!

References: The Hebrew Bible, Pastor Monty Rainey, 1voicecrying.wordpress.com/.../proverbs-1822-finding-a-wife/, HOLY SPIRIT