A Wise Wife laughs!

In the book of Proverbs, we learn the Wisdom to discern a Wise Wife.

Such a Wise Wife has “a noble character”. (Proverbs 31:10).

Her noble character manifests itself in a number of ways:

—she “works with eager hands”. (Proverbs 31:13);

—she works vigorously to feed her family and to care for them (Proverbs 31:14-15,18,21-22,27);

—she makes money by investing, working and trading (Proverbs 31:16-18,24);

—she is generous, opening her arms to the poor and extending her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20); and

—“she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25).

There are a number of ways to translate this idea that a wise wife “can laugh at the days to come”:

—The Message says “She smiles at the days to come”; and

—The International Children’s Bible says “She looks forward to the future with joy”.

In this blog, I’m focusing on why a Wise Wife “can laugh at the days to come”; smile at the days to come; and look forward to the future with joy.

Always keep in mind that  “joy” is not the same as “happiness”. Our “happiness” depends on our circumstances. In contrast, our “Joy” depends on walking in the Way of Jesus.

The life of the Apostle Paul manifested this difference.

He was not always in happy circumstances:

—He was “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed” (2 Corinthians 4:8); and

—He labored and toiled and often went without sleep (2 Corinthians 4:27).

Nevertheless, when the Apostle Paul wrote to “all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi”, he was full of joy, even though he was writing from prison!

Why?

“Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

And so, Paul could write: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Rejoicing means laughing at the days to come! Smiling at the days to come! Looking forward to the future with joy, even if your future includes imprisonment and execution for walking in the Way of Jesus!

We can rejoice as we look forward to all of the days to come.

Why?

Because we have faith that all of the days to come are days that the LORD hath made, so let us rejoice and be glad in them. (Psalm 118:24).

And all means all!

Proverbs gives three reasons for a Wise Wife to laugh, smile and rejoice:

—her strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25);

—her wisdom (Proverbs 31:26); and

—her faithful instruction (Proverbs 31:36).

These reasons do not apply solely to a Wise Wife. They apply to any wise person.

Therefore, if you want to laugh, smile, and be filled with joy:

—Be strong in your faith and dignified in your behavior, in the Way of Jesus;

—Be wise, remembering that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom, in the Way of Jesus. (Psalms 118:22-24; Proverbs 1:7 KJV; Proverbs 9:10; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11); and

—Give faithful instruction in the Way of Jesus, teaching the Word of the LORD that comes down from heaven like rain (John 3:14: John 7:37-39):

watering the earth,

     and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

     and bread for the eater,

accomplishing what the LORD desires

     and achieving the purpose for which the LORD sent it,

sending people out in joy

        and leading people forth in peace.

(paraphrasing Isaiah 55:10-13 (emphasis added))

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you laugh at the days to come? When? Why?

What is the difference between “happiness” and “Joy”?

READ MORE

For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Jesus Laughed!” and “Paul Sets His Jailer Free”.