It represents false Christians- those of whom the word has been effective producing belief in God or even the Lord Jesus, yet fall away because of the lusts of the world and the pleasures thereof. Jesus Himself declares concerning them: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14) This passage showing the wayward wife does not compare the unbelieving world to the Christian, but the unfaithful "Christian" with the one who endures- the one who overcomes.
In the apostle John's book of Revelation the Lord describes the blessings of those who persevere. -"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7) -"He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death", (Rev. 2:11) -"To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." (2:17) -"To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations- 'he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'- just as I have received authority from My Father. I will also give him the morning star." (2:26-28) -"He who overcomes will, like them (those in Sardis who overcome), be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." (3:5)
The wayward wife or adulterous wife cares nothing for the good of others, rather she would use others for her own self pleasure and advantage: "with crafty intent" v. 10 then in verse 11 "she is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home." in complete contrast with the faithful wife, she neither sees the ways of righteousness nor walks in them.
Against the popular ways of this world who cry all the louder whenever there is a moment of silence or rest- we should be so passionate about the secret place! -About being still in the quietness and confidence of the shadow of Almighty God. To those who enter this rest, the Lord reveals the mysteries of His heart, the deep wisdom- "the hidden manna". If we fail to enjoy the quiet, still softness of God's presence, then slowly the pattern of the world's noise will be conformed onto our consciences and our hearts darkened by its pervasiveness.
Just like the faithful wife, our concerns should be for the home- our concern should be for the service of those we share intimate friendship with. How can any man love the world if he first does not even love his own brother? -Then we can emmenate that love we cultivate in our home to the world that desperately needs it. They need the genuine affection and devotion of the unfailing love that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, and they will only see that type of love in those whose hearts are demonstrating it actively among their brothers and sisters.
The wayward wife dresses herself in the physical adornments and beauty of things precious in the eyes of the world. Her purpose is to seduce. She is quick, penetrating, and easy. This is her glory and consequently, her shame. "She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said...I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon." It all appears so attractive and alluring- she has prepared seemingly so much for him- an appearance of servitude with the purpose of self-indulgence. (The lusts of the flesh excellently correspond.) Why does she seek him out? What is her motivation? Self....Self.....Self. Her priority is not on his benefit, but on her quick pleasure. "Her house is a highway to the grave." v. 27
The wife who fears the Lord has no such concern. She dresses herself and her family with such garments made of wool, her adornments: Strength and Dignity. She focuses her attention on her Husband and on her household. What of beauty? It comes from her inward quietness and submission. No extravagance in her clothing, and no drawing of attention to herself- instead all her motivation is bent on bringing attention to the One she serves. She has only words of wisdom employed by her tongue. She cares deeply for such things and loves them. And likewise, "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." Oh that our Lord Jesus could be confident in us at every moment! Oh that we would yield ourselves wholeheartedly to His Spirit that we might satisfy and delight His heart with the love that has no thought or word of self, but is all of, and for Jesus. "She brings him good not harm all the days of her life." Instead of leading others astray in her idolatry and prostitution, we would bring joy and honor to our beloved Jesus Christ!
***
Proverbs chapter 9 speaks also of a wayward woman- she is sister to the adultress. Through the description of her we find what we must avoid if we seek to follow our Lord Jesus the Author of all wisdom:
"The woman Folly is loud;
She is undisciplined and without
knowledge.
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
Calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way.
'Let all who are simple come in here!'
she says to those who lack judgement,
'Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!'
But little do they know that the dead are
there,
that her guests are in the depths of the
grave."
Silence. Discipline. Knowledge. Lowliness. Innocence. Purity. To be like a little child when it comes to the knowledge of sin. These are the qualities that we, the Bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, should ever pursue.
And a final thought centered around v. 31 of Proverbs 31: We should be quick to notice other's greater qualities and slow to pick out faults. Yet we should not prolong rebuke but offer it in love at the proper time. We should be careful not to withold praise from those who deserve it, and pay close attention to supplying genuine and faithful encouragement when it is appropriate. Brothers in Christ, we should be more faithful to lift up our sisters in their achievements and praise their spirits of submission. We should look on them with absolute purity, raising them up and protecting them from the world's deceptions. We have a responsibility to eachother as the body of Christ to care for its needs - just as the Lord looks after us, so we must look after our sisters. There is no more necessary calling on the men of the church in this age of secularism and materialism to keep pure and protect the minds of our sisters in Christ from falling away into the depths of physical beauty and extravagance. And together as men and women of God, we will press onward towards our goal: not to complete purification- for that is the Lord's glory for us- but towards advancing the enduring message of the gospel, placing our hands in His, and seeking out His perfect will for each of our lives. We must be drawn more intimately deeper and more wholly devoted to Jesus in the perfect rest and absolute freedom within His arms. This is the majesty and pleasure of the wife of noble character, and the glory of the beautiful and spotless Bride of Christ!