WHAT IS A FOOLISH WOMAN?

What are the characteristics of a wicked or foolish person as seen in Psalm 1:4-5? In the Wisdom Literature of Psalms and Proverbs, the word “fool” does not mean a moron or an imbecile, but it means one who is rebellious and does not fear the Lord. 

Therefore, when Proverbs 14:1 says the foolish woman tears down her house with her own hands, what, in your own words, is the writer of Proverbs telling us? 

Worldly “Wisdom”

In the March 31, 2008, update Barna Update, George Barna reports that overall, 32% of allborn again individuals who have been married have gone through a divorce, identical to the 33% incidence among non-born-again adults. “A person’s faith doesn’t seem to have a lot of effect on whether they’ll get divorced,” Barna says. “Even among born-again Christians, most don’t exhibit attitudes or behaviors any different than non-Christians.” These are alarming statistics and should concern believers. What are we to do with this as Christian women? Are Christian young women adequately prepared to build their houses as they embark upon the tumultuous sea of matrimony? It doesn’t appear they are according to the quoted figures. Compare the following categories, which our culture considers valid reasons for divorce with what Scripture teaches. Write the Scriptural solution for each problem.

Culture:                                      Scripture:

1.  Incompatibility                     I Peter 3:1

2.  Lack of love            Titus 2:4-5; Ephesians 5:25

3.  Irreconcilable differences    Ephesians 5:21

4.  No Fault                      Ephesians 5:25-27

5.  Adultery            The Book of Hosea; Matt 19:1-9

Is there any reason given above that Scripture says is a valid reason for divorce?  Which one?

Does that mean a marriage can never be saved if the above takes place?

In Matthew 19:1-9, we find what Jesus told his disciples about God’s perspective on divorce. Write in your notebook your understanding of what He said. 

Certainly, there are occasions when valid reasons for divorce are present. Abuse and unfaithfulness present tough situations that call for great wisdom in addressing. Especially in abusive instances, separation is recommended, and many times is essential. And there are other difficult, complicated circumstances: mental illness, abandonment, medical trauma (such as a mate in a coma for years), and missing persons. I recall a couple who came to our retreat center for a couple’s conference. They were a very handsome pair, but the husband had suffered a severe head injury in a car accident. He was badly impaired. He walked with a limp and could not use one of his arms. His speech was strained and garbled. But his beautiful wife stayed literally by his side assisting him to perform the simplest of tasks. She remained by his side, as his wife, fulfilling her conviction that she live out her commitment to him, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. The answers aren’t always easy and sometimes, however, divorce regrettably occurs in complex cases such as this. 

When our hearts are breaking, and we feel we are total failures, we fall on the mercy of a compassionate God who loves us and will work out the plans for our lives, in spite of our failures or those of our mates. 
 










Building Tool - Read Psalm 145 and meditate on it. Write out below verses 8, 9 and 14 and memorize them. Ask a friend to hold you accountable and quote the verses to her. 

Read Jeremiah 29:11. The Amplified Bible ends the verse this way, “…to give you hope in your final outcome.” Even though you may be divorced, according to this verse, is there any reason for despair? Why or why not?