In Ruth 4:11, Boaz is told, “May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel.” In Psalm 127:1–5, the building of a house (verse 1) is connected to having children (verse 3). From this it appears that the wisdom of a woman must lie, among other things, in her willingness to bear children.
Of course, “house-building” implies more than bearing children. A woman has the power to make her husband’s home flourish in all respects, but she can also ruin it completely. Clear examples of the power of a wife can be seen among the queen mothers of the Old Testament. Some of them spread blessing for generations to come, while others were a curse for their husbands and children. It is no exaggeration to say that the spirit of the dynasties of Israel were to a large extent determined by women.
Therefore, it is of vital importance for young men that they know what to look for in a wife. A woman can build or break a man’s entire life: his education, his income, his position in church and society, his children. In Proverbs 31:1–31 a portrait is given of the ideal wife—the one who will build the “house.” She does so through her diligence, skill, friendliness, generosity, economy, dignity, good taste, and organizational talents. The order that she creates forms the natural basis for the most important family habit: regular time spent with God and his Word.
1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.