“Marriage Wisdom” - Proverbs 14:1-4; 21:19-24

1. Recognizing the Secular Influence

• “It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.” (21:19) 

• “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of the one kind and one of another.” (1 Corinthians 7:7)

• “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)

2. Restoring the Sacred Purpose

• “That he might sanctify her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26-27)

• A perfect fit vs. A rare fit (Tim Keller, The meaning of marriage)

• “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” (21:20-21)

3. Enjoying the Spiritual Union

• “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” (14:1)

• “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” (14:4)