Pro 31:23 | KingComments | STEP | In caring for others, she does not forget to care for herself as well ( ). The “coverings” give her warmth. Her clothing of “fine linen and purple” prove her wealth and high rank. It is reminiscent of the rich man about whom the Lord Jesus tells, who was also clothed in purple and fine linen ( ). The problem was not the clothes he wore, but that he “joyously living in splendor every day” while totally ignoring the poor who lay at his front gate. With him, this woman’s charity was completely absent. The church has a high calling. Paul talks about this at length in Ephesians 1-3. There he shows the church, as it were, coverings and her worthy clothing. She “has been made pleasant in the Beloved” ( ), clothed with Him. Then he calls her to walk “worthy of the calling” with which she has been called ( ). How she can do that, he tells the following chapters (Ephesians 4-6). Her dignity she does not have from herself, but she derives it from her husband ( ). The “gate” is the place of the meeting of the elders, of the city council, where court cases are discussed ( ). Her husband is busy looking after the interests of the city. He does not sit inconspicuously among “the elders of the land”, but is a man of distinction, a well-known leader. The church is associated with a Husband Who is constantly working for the interests of the city, by which is also meant His church. In Revelation 21, the description of the bride suddenly switches to the city without any explanation ( ). The bride is the city. The question is whether He is so known everywhere and especially in the gates, the places of judgment, where we can think of the local churches. Is He in control there, is He given authority there? The expression “sits among the elders” brings to mind Revelation 5, where we see the Lamb in the midst of the elders. The Lamb does not sit, but stands, as if slain. It can also be said of the Lamb that It is known in the gates. As mentioned, the gate is the place of government and administration. The throne of God speaks of that. The seven spirits, sent out from the throne show this. The knowledge that the twenty-four elders have of the Lamb is evidenced by falling down and worshiping, as we read at the end of Revelation 5. When John weeps because there is no one worthy to open the book and break the seals, one of the elders comforts him. This elder is familiar with the Lamb and points John to the Lion from the tribe of Judah.

‏ Proverbs 31:23

She and Her Husband

In caring for others, she does not forget to care for herself as well (Pro 31:22). The “coverings” give her warmth. Her clothing of “fine linen and purple” prove her wealth and high rank. It is reminiscent of the rich man about whom the Lord Jesus tells, who was also clothed in purple and fine linen (Lk 16:19). The problem was not the clothes he wore, but that he “joyously living in splendor every day” while totally ignoring the poor who lay at his front gate. With him, this woman’s charity was completely absent.

The church has a high calling. Paul talks about this at length in Ephesians 1-3. There he shows the church, as it were, coverings and her worthy clothing. She “has been made pleasant in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6), clothed with Him. Then he calls her to walk “worthy of the calling” with which she has been called (Eph 4:1). How she can do that, he tells the following chapters (Ephesians 4-6).

Her dignity she does not have from herself, but she derives it from her husband (Pro 31:23). The “gate” is the place of the meeting of the elders, of the city council, where court cases are discussed (Rth 4:1-12). Her husband is busy looking after the interests of the city. He does not sit inconspicuously among “the elders of the land”, but is a man of distinction, a well-known leader.

The church is associated with a Husband Who is constantly working for the interests of the city, by which is also meant His church. In Revelation 21, the description of the bride suddenly switches to the city without any explanation (Rev 21:9-10). The bride is the city. The question is whether He is so known everywhere and especially in the gates, the places of judgment, where we can think of the local churches. Is He in control there, is He given authority there?

The expression “sits among the elders” brings to mind Revelation 5, where we see the Lamb in the midst of the elders. The Lamb does not sit, but stands, as if slain. It can also be said of the Lamb that It is known in the gates. As mentioned, the gate is the place of government and administration. The throne of God speaks of that. The seven spirits, sent out from the throne show this. The knowledge that the twenty-four elders have of the Lamb is evidenced by falling down and worshiping, as we read at the end of Revelation 5. When John weeps because there is no one worthy to open the book and break the seals, one of the elders comforts him. This elder is familiar with the Lamb and points John to the Lion from the tribe of Judah.