Who should do the searching?

[Evangelist Cookie Hunter]

In Proverbs 18:22, Solomon says "He who finds a wife finds favor with God."

In Ruth 3: 1-5, Samuel tell the story of Naomi's instructions to Ruth on how to find a husband.

Should we only consider Solomon's words and dismiss those of Samuel?

All scripture is God breathed.

[Minister Robbin Swinger Otey]

Good question! My answer is NO ONE should be searching...
We should all continue to prepare to be found. Adam was not looking for a mate, he was working. Eve was not looking for mate, she was created. Preparation? Get your dollars straight. Get your health straight. Get your mind right. Break all those soul ties & co-dependent relationships. Get your house clean. Get your heart clean... Shall I go on??

Mates are manifesting in 2009. Some, maybe even most of us, need to embrace their Maker has their husband & do the Higher Calling

I Corinthians 7:34 (There is[a] a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.
But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
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Naomi was instructing a Moabitess on the custom of kinsman reedeemer. The object was to have "a provider" as the custom was opportuned to widows, not necessarily "a mate". The two obviously did mate as we know.

Naomi instructed Ruth to join herself to a man that already had wives to provide for, so does this scripture also support polygyny (the state or practice of having more than one wife or female mate at a time)? Too many in the re-newed convenant to dispute that view. Bibically anyway. Just thought I'd throw that in...
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From the Book of Ruth Chapter 3 in its entirety. Enjoy!
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.”
5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?”
So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing,[a] for you are a close relative.”
10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she[b] went into the city.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?”
Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”
18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
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All scripture in the Holy Bible is GOD breathed.

[Minister Robbin Swinger Otey]

As to our brother Solomon. I just like share that the WORD read "he who finds a wife...". Not he who finds a booty call, not he who finds a mistress, not he who finds a shack partner,not he who finds a baby's momma, not he who finds somebody to split the bills with.

But he who finds a wife...that's the one that finds favor.

So who do you think should be looking? How about the one that needs favor? She prepares for a provider...that's just part of what i like to share.

And. ....So... Proverbs 31:10-31 pretty much explains what a wife should look like. Women may choose to prepare & Men may choose to accurately assess.

All scripture from the Holy Bible is GOD breathed.
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http://www.biblegateway.com/
Proverbs 31:10-31 (Amplified Bible)
10A capable, intelligent, and [a]virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.(A)

11The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.

12She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

13She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].

14She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].

15She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.(B)

16She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]

17She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

18She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].

19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

21She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.(C)

22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].(D)

23Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.(E)

24She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].

25Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

26She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

27She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.(F)

28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

29[b]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

30Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!(G)

Footnotes:

Proverbs 31:10 It is most unfortunate that this description of God's ideal woman is usually confined in readers' minds merely to its literal sense--her ability as a homemaker, as in the picture of Martha of Bethany in Luke 10:38-42. But it is obvious that far more than that is meant. When the summary of what makes her value "far above rubies" is given (in Prov. 31:30), it is her spiritual life only that is mentioned. One can almost hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Mary has chosen the good portion... which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
Proverbs 31:29 "Many daughters have done... nobly and well... but you excel them all." What a glowing description here recorded of this woman in private life, this "capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman" of Prov. 31! It means she had done more than Miriam, the one who led a nation's women in praise to God (Exod. 15:20, 21); Deborah, the patriotic military advisor (Judg. 4:4-10); Ruth, the woman of constancy (Ruth 1:16); Hannah, the ideal mother (I Sam. 1:20; 2:19); the Shunammite, the hospitable woman (II Kings 4:8-10); Huldah, the woman who revealed God's secret message to national leaders (II Kings 22:14); and even more than Queen Esther, the woman who risked sacrificing her life for her people (Esth. 4:16). In what way did she "excel them all"? In her spiritual and practical devotion to God, which permeated every area and relationship of her life. All seven of the Christian virtues (II Pet. 1:5) are there, like colored threads in a tapestry. Her secret, which is open to everyone, is the Holy Spirit's climax to the story, and to this book. In Prov. 31:30, it becomes clear that the "reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord," which is "the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom" (Prov. 9:10), is put forth as the true foundation for a life which is valued by God and her husband as "far above rubies or pearls" (Prov. 31:10).

Cross references:
Proverbs 31:10 : Prov 12:4; 18:22; 19:14
Proverbs 31:15 : Job 23:12
Proverbs 31:21 : Josh 2:18, 19; Heb 9:19-22
Proverbs 31:22 : Isa 61:10; I Tim 2:9; Rev 3:5; 19:8, 14
Proverbs 31:23 : Prov 12:4
Proverbs 31:27 : I Tim 5:14; Tit 2:5
Proverbs 31:31 : Phil 4:8

[Evangelist Cookie Hunter]

Thank you for that expressive teaching. To God be the glory!

[Martha Bruce]

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added.
No searching is really necessary. Seeking the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness is necessary. God adds when we are ready. Our eyes open at the proper time to find what we need. We all - men and women - should be living right, not to be seen of man, but of God.
Yes, All scripture is God breathed. So as we look at scripture we need to consider who is speaking, why they are speaking, what is going on, etc.
Ruth 3:1-5 is not showing Ruth going out to get a man on her own. Boaz was obligated by law to take care of the family of his relatives (if I understand this Jewish law correctly) when they - his relatives - were deceased with no children and the woman did not return to the house of her father. Boaz was a close relative. Naomi was instructing Ruth to force the hand of Boaz. Boaz had already shown Ruth and Naomi kindness and some protection but Naomi wanted more for her daughter-in-law.

So to answer your question we should not dismiss either word because both these words give us instruction.
We should also note that every woman is not a wife just because she is married. Just as every man is not a husband just because he is married. But that is a whole other question