Proverbs 31

Christ is Risen!

Yes, we've all heard of this woman - this woman that all women should strive to be like. I've studied this passage on and off over the years and it's been on my heart to study yet again, so I am. I want to take it apart a bit at a time and work on it a bit at a time. I'm sure my interpretations will change over time but that is the purpose of this blog ... somewhere for me to work things out ... putting my thoughts out there concretely so to speak.

Anyway, in Proverbs 31 there are verses for men as well when the mother is instructing the son in wisdom. Though beginning with verse 10 she instructs him on another wise decision - a virtuous wife. Here is what she tells him:

10: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
11: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14: She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16: She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18: She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
22: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24: She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25: Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28: Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30: Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I will leave with this tonight as I need to get in bed in the next few minutes so that I may get up early ... like the Proverbs woman ... in order to go to class, as well as pack up the children, food, playthings, etc, in order to go work at the rental house tomorrow.

Ponder, pray, and share any thoughts you may have.