THE WOMAN OF WORTH
Ephesians 5:22-30; Proverbs 31:10-13,23,24
I have been thinking, dear brethren, of what our brother has said about love never failing. How precious and how wonderful that we can take account of the love of Christ towards the assembly and how great the beauteous results which divine love has secured in the assembly.
The scripture in Ephesians says, “Husbands, love your own wives, even as the Christ also loved the assembly, and has delivered himself up for it”. What a cost it was to Him; He loved the assembly so much that He delivered Himself up for it. Think of the love of the Lord Jesus and the effect in beauty that has been secured in the assembly through the continuing love of the Lord Jesus glorified. He “has delivered Himself up for it, in order that he might sanctify it, purifying it by the washing of water by the word, that he might present the assembly to himself glorious, having no spot, or wrinkle, or any of such things; but that it might be holy and blameless”. How great is the effect of the love of the Lord Jesus, known now through His headship, and the love that is seen in the operation of the headship of Christ. The power of it brings about an effect where His love is known, and that is seen in the woman of worth.
“Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies”, speaking of the value and the preciousness of the assembly to Christ. He loved the assembly so much that He delivered Himself up for it. The assembly is with Him intelligently; think of these features that are seen in the woman of worth. It says that “The heart of her husband confideth in her”. How the Lord delights in the assembly and what He finds in her. There are things that are precious to be found in the assembly. There are features of the Lord Jesus that shine in the assembly – they are seen in the saints, dear brethren. When we see the bride and bridegroom here together today, our brother and sister married, it brings to our attention Christ and the assembly, the dignity of the bride. What a fine occupation these things are; “She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life”. What appreciation the Lord Jesus has for the assembly – a vessel here which cares for His interests, answers to His desires, responds to Him in love. These are attractive features which are the result of the headship of Christ. May we be affected by them!
We are glad that we can commend our brother and sister to the Lord. As our brothers have said, this is of the Lord, and love never fails. How great these truths are. So as our brother and sister set up home together there will be spiritual addition. We look at these matters not only in a natural way, but from the divine side. There is love working in the way of addition; “It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate his like”, Gen.2:18. These truths have been there from the very beginning.
Think of the feelings of God for Christ, that He should have a bride that is suited to Him. How important this occasion is, when we can be reminded of God’s precious thoughts in relation to Christ and the assembly. Adam was marked by intelligence; he was able to name all the animals, and it is not said that any of their names were changed, but he “found no helpmate, his like” (v.20). God has provided that for Christ; how much has been secured in the assembly – an answer to the affections of the Lord Jesus.
May our brother and sister be encouraged, may they be strengthened, and may the Lord bless them together, for His name’s sake.
Given at a meeting for ministry on the occasion of a marriage, Buckie
14 November 2020
Rob Gardiner
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