11 Her husband trusts her completely. She gives him all the important things he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of traders. She brings her food from far away.
15 She gets up while it is still dark. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
17 She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.
18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn't go out at night.
19 With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.
20 She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
21 When it snows, she's not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
22 She makes her own bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.
25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.
26 She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.
27 She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.
28 Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
29 He says, "Many women do noble things. But you are better than all the others."
30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.
How many times have you read Proverbs 31? Did you roll your eyes at the thought of reading about this supper woman again? You probably skimmed the passage if even that. Go back to the top, and read the lines I made bold.
(v10) Do you know what Noble means? Webster defines it as 'having excellent qualities', or 'of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence'. Does Noble describe you? Are you a woman of character? Or do you gossip at first chance? Do you cheat your husband by wasting your day on soap's and trashy magazines, by not taking care of yourself and being all you could be?
(v 13) Do you work hard? More importantly, do you go about your work with a good attitude?
(v 15) Do you waste your time on the Internet, watching TV, gossiping on the phone, running here and there, or do you manage your time wisely?
(v 20) Do you give to those around you who need help? Not just the financially poor, but the latch key child across the street, the woman whose husband is emotionally abusing her or always working late, the widow who desires conversation, the 'stranger mom' at the store who needs a friendly smile...
(v 25/26) What do you dress your self in? No, not what brand of clothes, but what starts your day? Time with God, prayer, scripture taped to your bathroom mirror or words of frustration at your husband/children because everyone is late and no one knows where their shoes are?
(v10) Do you know what Noble means? Webster defines it as 'having excellent qualities', or 'of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence'. Does Noble describe you? Are you a woman of character? Or do you gossip at first chance? Do you cheat your husband by wasting your day on soap's and trashy magazines, by not taking care of yourself and being all you could be?
(v 13) Do you work hard? More importantly, do you go about your work with a good attitude?
(v 15) Do you waste your time on the Internet, watching TV, gossiping on the phone, running here and there, or do you manage your time wisely?
(v 20) Do you give to those around you who need help? Not just the financially poor, but the latch key child across the street, the woman whose husband is emotionally abusing her or always working late, the widow who desires conversation, the 'stranger mom' at the store who needs a friendly smile...
(v 25/26) What do you dress your self in? No, not what brand of clothes, but what starts your day? Time with God, prayer, scripture taped to your bathroom mirror or words of frustration at your husband/children because everyone is late and no one knows where their shoes are?
You might not be a seamstress, spin wool or have a vineyard, but you are the keeper of your house. You, mom/wife, set the mood of your house whether you like it or not. Some Biblical scholars believe there are only two women in Proverbs. The wise woman and the woman of folly. The concern isn't whether we (woman) can do everything the Proverbs 31 can, instead it is two things: what do you do with your time? And more importantly, do you fear the Lord? Do you have a bold, all-consuming love for the Lord? When your love for the Lord is greater than your love for worldly things, your life will be radically changed.
You will do things you never saw yourself doing.
You will act in ways you never new you could.
You will embrace the things God created you to.
You will walk with confidence because you know you are a daughter of the King.
You will do things you never saw yourself doing.
You will act in ways you never new you could.
You will embrace the things God created you to.
You will walk with confidence because you know you are a daughter of the King.
No comments:
Post a Comment