Husband Known in the Gates - Proverbs 31:23

In the book of Proverbs Lemuel asked, “Who can find a virtuous woman? … She makes herself covering of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple”, and in chapter thirty one and verse twenty-three of Proverbs King Lemuel said, “her husband is known in the gates” where we read,

Her husband is known in the gates,

when he sits among the elders of the land.

The verse begins, “Her husband is known in the gates, ...” Lemuel began with the words, “her husband” or “her, the virtuous woman's, male wedded spouse” “is known in the gates” which means “exists as seen, found, discriminated and discerned within the opening, port or entrance to the city where business and public meetings were held”. Lemuel said the “husband” of “the virtuous woman” is seen and perceived within the entrance of the city. 

The verse continues, “... when he sits among the elders of the land.” Lemuel added the words, “when he sits” or “at the time and moment he, the husband of the virtuous woman, is seated, fixed and established” “among the elders” which means “in the middle and midst of aged and ancient people” “of the land” or “belonging to the territory, country, region and area”. Lemuel said the “husband of the virtuous woman” is “known” in the midst of the aged and ancient fellow-countrymen who are seated in the entrance of the city. 

When we think through Lemuel's words in this verse, we learn how other people are aware of “the virtuous woman's”male spouse at the time he is seated among the aged members of the city. In other words, he has a good reputation with his fellow businessmen and compatriots. God will give us a good reputation among other people when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow our reputation to precede us when we gather with others in influential positions. 

Next time Lemuel says, “she makes fine linen, and sells it”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".