It may seem odd to have a verse describing a man in a chapter about the virtuous woman, but it is really more appropriate than it seems at first glance.
Have you ever heard the saying "Behind every good man there is a good woman"? This is very true.
Imagine for a minute how far the President would have gotten if his wife had been against his involvement in politics. He would probably be a nobody underling today without her support.
We women set the tone for the household, and though our husband's achievements are ultimately up to him, we can make or break the success of his goals. Constant nagging, complaining, and belittling can keep anyone down, while unconditional acceptance, encouragement and love will give anyone the strength and courage to achieve anything they take a notion to achieve.
Sarah evidently encouraged her husband. I picture neighbors coming to him to ask advice and him discussing it out loud with her just before they go to sleep. If she was harsh, made fun of his intellect or just didn't listen, it would have hampered his ability to give good answers the next day. If she listens and gives her opinion, discussing the issue intelligently it encourages him and helps him see many sides of an issue. His advice is more likely to be well thought out wisdom.
The men who sat at the gate in ancient Israel were those that the community went to for advice and governance. This is where the business of the city was taken care of; City Hall if you will.
These men were not elected the way we think of elections. They were chosen by those around them in an informal manner because of the wisdom they demonstrated in their own lives and the good advice they gave. (Imagine, no campaign commercials!) Their "term of service" lasted as long as the general population trusted them enough to go to them for advice.
A shrewish or selfish wife would taint her husband's reputation as well as his advice, preventing him from being seen as a wise man even if he was the wisest one in the city.
Our husbands may not have a desire for a political life, but they do have dreams and goals. We have the power to make or break those goals.
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