Known for What?

(Proverbs 31:23 KJV)  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

I have a question.  Why is he “known” (3045) [yada]?  It is a simple question, but what is the answer.  The verses around don’t give us a clue.  If you are into macho manhood you might assume that it is because he is such a great fount of wisdom.  If you are into sisterhood, then it is because of the reputation of his wife.  It doesn’t tell us.

Although I doubt if he is a complete fool, I would tend to lean toward the sisters on this.  The majority of this chapter is singing her praises.  He is thrown in for context and color.  The only reference to wisdom in this chapter is in verse 26 and refers to her.  When he sits in the gates, part of his reputation is rooted in being her husband.  At a certain point in my life I was only known as my father’s son.  Later on it began to go both ways.  At times he was recognized as my father.  Even today I am what I am because of who he was.

So?  Treasure the people who make it possible for you to be you.  We are not rocks on top of a hill but trees in a forest nurtured by all that is around us.