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Worthy Man
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When someone
exercises great self control or perseveres through many a
trial, we sometimes say that they have the “patience of
Job.” When another stands like a rock amid the changing
whirlwind of life, we attribute to them “the faith of
Abraham.” And when someone uses prudence and sound judgement
in making a difficult decision, we say that they possess the
“wisdom of Solomon.”
As much as Job persevered and Abraham became the father of the
faithful, Solomon excelled in wisdom all the more. When he
prayed for “an understanding heart to judge Thy people
to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9), God
gave him more wisdom than any who came before of followed
after his reign. The Scriptures tell us that “men came
from all peoples” (1 Kings 4:34) to hear his fitly
spoken words.
Many of Solomon’s wise sayings are compiled in the book of
Proverbs. Perhaps one of the more famous sections is the very
last collection, often called “The Worthy Woman” (Prov.
31:10-31). The first verse of the chapter identifies the words
as those of King Lemuel, considered to be a possible pseudonym
for King Solomon.
This section of Scripture has inspired many a ladies class and
Bible study on how to be a worthy woman. But the very same
text also identifies some characteristics needed to become a
worthy man. It’s not the same list that the world
would compile to achieve success. But these characteristics
are the standard by which the Lord measures worth.
A worthy man is a one-woman man. After mentioning
that her worth is far above jewels, the very next verse about
the worthy woman is that “the heart of her husband
trusts in her” (31:11). That suggests that he doesn’t
have to worry about where she is, what she’s doing, or who
she’s with. He trusts her. But it also says something about
the man himself. He is devoted to his wife. He trusts in her
with all of his heart.
Being “a man” in some circles means being a player,
someone who has sexual relations with as many women as
possible. But Paul commanded husbands to love their wives “just
as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her”
(Eph. 5:25). Jesus had no other mission in mind when He came
from heaven. His sole intent and purpose was on the
sanctification on His bride. It is the worthy man who regards
his wife with such singular devotion.
A worthy man has a worthy name. “Her husband is
known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the
land” (31:23). The gates of the city were where
business was conducted, where legal matters were decided,
where the elders made judgments. One of the things that makes
a woman worthy is that she does not choose for herself a
worthless man. Her husband is regarded as honorable by men of
honor.
It was Solomon who said “a good name is to be more
desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and
gold” (Prov. 22:1). One of the reasons that King Lemuel
is thought to be the same as King Solomon is the resemblance
of their names: Lemuel means “for God” or “devoted to
God” and Solomon’s given name Jedidiah means “beloved of
the Lord.” Either description is a worthy goal. And yet how
often do men lose their good names in the pursuit of things of
far inferior value? Worthy men can’t be bought.
A worthy man is a family man. “Her children
rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her,
saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them
all’” (31:28-29). This is certainly not the man of
the modern sitcom. He is either portrayed as incapable of
leading the home or so wed to his work that he comes by
occasionally only for a quick meal or to sleep one off. And
this is supposed to be funny?
Not so with a real, worthy man. Like Joshua, who was both a
military leader and the commander of Israel, he puts the
spiritual needs of his family first (Josh. 24:15). He does not
show his strength in the number of pounds he can lift or the
distance he can hit a ball, but in how he serves his worthy
woman and the precious souls entrusted to him. It is his
life’s work and worth.
Books abound on how to become men of renown. But the wisdom of
the world doesn’t even approach the wisdom of Solomon. It
comes from one Shepherd.
Bubba Garner
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