Proverbs 12:4 says
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones
This verse really excited me, I’m not sure why but I was just scribbling down everything that this verse meant to me and I really wanted to share.
Noble character is; showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles.
What is a crown?
- A source of pride
- It brings honour and respect
- It is a covering
- (What excited me most) it is a symbol of authority
So in other words, a woman who has good personal qualities and high moral principles is a source of pride for her husband, brings honour and respect to him, is a covering for him and is a symbol of his authority. Breaking it down even further; a wife of noble character (WNC) does not bring shame to her husband. In her actions and speech her husband can proudly claim her. A WNC does not disrespect or destroy her husband’s name, her character and principles dictate that her husband should be respected and honoured by not just her, but by all. Nobody would dare drag what you hold with honour in the dirt once they see the way you treat it in public and private (generally). A WNC is a covering. She covers her man with love! Love covers a multitude of sins, she lives this out, she covers his flaws, indiscretions etc with her prayers, kind words, encouragement and more prayers. She does not complain to everyone who has ears, she does not make sly digs at him in public or private for that matter. She covers him, with her love, she covers him. A WNC is a symbol of her husband’s authority. She submits to him and respects him (whether he’s around or not). She does not undermine him nor is she harsh on him for saying the ‘wrong thing.’ A WNC lets her husband take the lead and is able to express her disagreement if needs be in a calm and collected manner even if its hard. Her husband is not afraid of her but he respects her in a way that leads to him to think carefully of his actions.
A disgraceful wife on the other hand is, well, a disgrace. She causes deep-seated problems for her husband and causes him to wither away. Remember she is like decay in his bones so she over powers him and will one day kill off his spirit. She takes all his energy and leaves him less than he was. She is probably brash and causes embarrassment for her husband. Her husband is afraid of her and does not speak for fear of consequences. This is no life to live, man or woman.