The Wisdom of “Two Will Be One”(2)

The Road of the Wise

Yrgovku Meg Ullalov Imasdov;ivnu

Imasdovnin Jampan

Proverbs 31:10-12;28-31

In the Armenian sermon we covered the first point.

1. What is the advice of the Book of Wisdom to the married couple? “Two will be one” (Two are facing inward).

2. How does the couple face the community? (Two are facing outward).

Although we have chosen our partners, many marriages are suffering. The fire is out; the connection is lost.

Remember that marriages are delicate and need constant nourishment and maintenance.

Are there any obstacles that are hindering our relationship?

How transparent we are towards each other?

Ask yourself what happened? What went wrong?

Are we working too much and we do not have time? Are there any unresolved conflicts accumulated through the years? Problems like pornography, health issues. Face them; do not ignore them. It is never too late.

2. The couple in the community (The two facing outward)

We move to second passage, a famous one in Proverbs 31:28

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”(28-29)

How do we treat each other in public?

Do we honor each other?

Do we like to be seen with our spouse in the community?

Do we get excited to see our spouse show up when we are with our friends?

How do we look at our spouse in the community?

Do we say, “Many women have done excellent, but my sweetheart is the best”?

People will notice how one treats her/his partner in the society. This is for both sides.

How about our children? Are they also honoring their parents? Are they proud of you?

We cannot teach this to our children. If one of us treats the other badly, do not expect that your child will respect your spouse. They will treat them the same way.

“Son, I don’t like your dad, but you know he is your dad; you should respect him.”

It does not work!

Some people are frustrated with Proverbs 31. The qualities of the virtuous woman that is described are too high; no one can match that.

But please notice in verse 10, there is a question?

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” (10)

It is interesting that the author asks a question.

No one can find a wife like this.

Here is the principle:

You join the one God gives you and both of you become what God wants you to be as God shapes you and you build each other up. This is a very important principle to learn.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (30)

The woman or the man, the husband or wife, whether married or single, we all need to learn the fear of the Lord: worship, awe, respect and trust. (Refer to last week’s sermon).

This is good advice for married couples.

The Good News is that God has plan for each person.

-How about some of us who have had painful experiences? Some of us have lost partners, have been widowed.

-Some of us are single. Yet God has a plan for each person.

What is the message for them?

-First, I learn from Jesus. He is the best example.

He was the one who loved us and humanity betrayed Him. The church is the bride of Christ. He understands because His love was rejected too.

Christ, who loved us, was beaten, betrayed, and crucified.

God says to you, the person who is in pain, “I understand, I went through it. I understand, till now people reject me…”

Oh how much we need someone to understand us!

-Second, do not give up. God did not give up from us.

God always gives us new chances to continue in life.

The worse thing is when we lose hope. Our hope is Christ, without Him we can do nothing.

If everyone leaves you alone, God will not leave you. He will always be there.

-Lastly, fear the Lord, know Him and trust Him, Hesed love Him daily and walk with Him. God promised that His eyes are on your path; walk with Him.

“For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord,
and he ponders all his paths.” (21)

Summary:

Our marriages need maintenance, constant nourishment. God will give that nourishment if we (both of us) are ready to be nourished by Him.

Stay in love, always.

Remember: “Many women have done excellent, but my sweetheart is the best.”

People will notice how one treats her/his partner in the society.

God has expresses His love to us, through Christ. He will understand us and He will guide us.

Let us look to our final slide again:

God will guide you with His Wisdom.

Amen