Marriage is good and if the concept of marriage is a man finding a woman, then wife is good. God Himself instituted marriage in the beginning (Genesis chapter 2 verses 18 and 24). He saw that man cannot singlehandedly achieve his purpose on earth without the help of a godly woman.
“And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2 verse 18)
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2 verse 24)
From the two bible verses above, we can see that wife is a gift from God to man. She is not just a gift but a good and permanent gift.
Remember what the scripture says in James 1 verse 17,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
I am not surprised when Solomon wrote the verse,
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”
The favour referred to in the verse means God is pleased with such a wise man for taking that step.
Who wrote Proverbs 18:22 and when was it written?
Proverbs 18:22 was written by King Solomon. It was written about 700 BC.
What is the context of Proverbs 18?
The context of Proverbs 18 talks about the wise adages of Solomon relating to diligent responsibilities in words and deeds.
This chapter is one of the chapters in the book of Proverbs that contains a package of numerous wise proverbs of Solomon.
Solomon began these saying from chapter 10 to chapter 22. He opened up the chapter by condemning isolation. An isolated man tempers against all wise judgment. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
According to him, the words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; and the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
Fools don’t like to understand anyone or anything except their own opinion while the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. The fool’s lips walk into a fight, and their mouth invites a beating. Their mouths are their ruin, while their lips are a snare to their souls.
Fools are known to talk carelessly. Proverbs 17 verses 27 and 28 say,
“He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. ”
Fools are quickly termed wise anytime they shut their mouths.
Solomon also emphasizes the importance of impartiality in matters of justice and the dangers of slothfulness. He admonished us not to rely on our strength but the powerful name of Jesus.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe. The name is likened to a rich man’s wealth which is his strong city and a high wall in his esteem.
Humility is a great asset that believers must guard jealously. Verse 12 of Proverbs 18 says,
“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.”
We are cautioned to cease from contentions but make peace with all men, when you cast lots, you cease contentions. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city while contentions are like the bars of a castle.
The chapter ended with comments about the poor man and rich man. The poor useth entreaties, but the rich answereth roughly. It also talks about good wives and notes that some friends are true friends, and such friends can be closer than even a family member.
What is the message of Proverbs 18:22?
The message of Proverbs 18:22 talks about the importance of marriage in our walk with God.
God understood the effect of loneliness and also the impact of teamwork from creation. He created man in his image for a glorious adventure in life that was predestined.
He said to Jeremiah in chapter 1 and verse 5,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you;] ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
This plan and purpose of God for man is so magnificent that it takes working hand in the hand of a man and a woman to fulfil it. There is a popular saying that Behind every successful man, there is a good woman. God’s plan for marriage is for the husband and the wife to become one flesh.
Genesis 2 verses 24 and 25 says,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
The husband and the wife are to live together in love, as a good example for their children.
God is talking about a godly woman, not just a wife. We are not saying that she has to be an excellent wife but the kind of woman the holy bible refers to as virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 verses 10 to 31
Verse 27 and 28 says,
“She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:”
A prudent wife is a wise woman. She will make her husband proud.
A good wife is a virtuous wife that cooperates with her husband. She is hardworking and contributes positively to the progress of the family. The Bible does not tell people that they must get married, but to get married to God-fearing women who will reverence God in every aspect of their home.
As you do so, a special blessing from God is packaged and ready for you. This is the favour of God that makes you most preferred everywhere you appear.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing,” meaning
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing,” means anyone that gets married to a God-fearing woman has pleased God.
Some writers believe that this phrase implies finding a good wife while others have different opinions.
This phrase can easily be paraphrased as He who finds a good wife finds a good thing.
If a wife is not good, God cannot refer to her as a good thing. God is not an author of confusion.
Only good things can produce good results. Like begets like. In the same vein, a good man coupled with a good woman will experience a good life. It is important to also mention that happy marriage is part of God’s plan for His people.
Remember what the scripture says in James 1 verse 17,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
Mathew 7 verse 11 also states that,
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
The two scriptures above reveal that marriage is a great blessing from God, hence good wives are special blessings from God to their husbands and their households while bad wives or a quarrelsome wife can only bring shame and reproach to the family.
“And obtains favor from the Lord” meaning
“And obtains favor from the Lord” means a good wife is a gift of favour from God.
God is pleased anytime a new home is formed. He is delighted when marriage divulges his generous love, and when a home is built on his values, such union automatically reflects the favour of God.
God is a lover of families. He sets the solitary in families and brings out those who are bound to prosperity.
God’s gift to Adam and Eve at creation was the gift of favour.
Psalm 5 verse 12,
“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
He reserves this gift for only those that do his will. Every home that is built and sustains the word of God enjoys unlimited favour and rest roundabout.
What is the difference in biblical translations Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV biblical translation “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.”
Proverbs 18:22 KJV biblical translation “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”
Proverbs 18:22 NIV biblical translation “He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.”
Proverbs 18:22 ESV biblical translation “He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.”
There is no difference in the four translations between NKJV, KJV, NIV, and ESV
The four translations are written almost the same and have the same meaning.
How do I apply Proverbs 18:22 to my life?
Applying Proverbs 18:22 to my life is to involve God in choosing my spouse so I will not miss God’s reserved blessing of marriage.
As much as you desire favour of marriage, you must be careful not to get married to a bad wife or wrong partner so what is meant to be a blessing will not be a curse. Paul specifically suggests a Christian should marry a Christian. Christian in this context does not mean religious Christian but a believer who has the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 6 verses 14 to 16 says,
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
The verses above do not mention marriage but this must be taken into consideration in marriage as well. Everyone’s marriage is predestined by God. Do not choose from your own heart or your own desire.
Believers are expected to go to God in prayer, asking him to show them the person he has ordained to be their spouse. You will not miss your steps in Jesus’ name.
Why do I need Divine Favour?
One day of favour is better than a thousand years of sweat and struggles. When God favours you, everything, both living and non-living answers in your direction.
Favour is defined as a special preference that put someone at an advantage over others.
Divine favour, therefore, means God’s endorsement or preference for his people that put them in a position of advantage over others.
You don’t have to be the best, or the most qualified, you will be the most preferred when you are encompassed with the favour of God. Divine favour skips all protocols. Natural laws are altered when favour is at work.
Do you need favour?
Everyone needs favour and in increasing dimension.
The Bible talks about Jesus in Luke 2 verse 52,
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
1 Samuel chapter 2 verse 26 also talks about Samuel,
“And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.”
From the scriptures above concerning Jesus and Samuel, we can conclude that favour from God always provokes favour from men. If God says Yes nobody can say No.
We also understand that divine favour put you in command of all situations and circumstances.
Psalm 44 verse 3 says,
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them..”
It produces victory in battles because God will do the fighting. The Bible says if God is for us, who shall be against us? (Roman 8 verse 31)
If you want to enjoy supernatural increases and promotions, you need favour from God.
Genesis 41 verses 39 to 41,
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be ]over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Joseph found favour in the sight of Potiphar and he was elevated.
The best thing to do is to plug into that favour today by walking in righteousness. Your life will never be the same.
What is Proverbs 18:22 prayer?
Heavenly Father, thank you for blessings over my life since inception. Lord as I desire to take this new step of marriage, let there be divine connectivity between me and my heaven-ordained spouse in Christ’s name I pray. AMEN
Conclusion
Every child of God needs divine favour in our journey of life. The easiest way to provoke this gift from God is by living according to the will of God.
Psalm 84 verse 11 says,
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.”
God loves everyone but he likes some people. Those he likes are the ones he bestows his favour upon.
Solomon stated clearly in Proverbs 3,
My son, do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
For you to live a triumphant Christian life, favour of God is non-negotiable. Living without divine favour will result in such a person working like an elephant but eating like an ant.
