The Willing Woman

People depend on this Excellent Wife.... she is willing to serve her family! The Hebrew meaning of verse 17 here literally means that she girds her loins with strength and vigor. 

Proverbs 31:17-18(HCSB)

17 

She draws on her strength[a]

and reveals that her arms are strong.

18 

She sees that her profits are good,

and her lamp never goes out at night.

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A discussion of Jewish clothing is helpful to fully understand what this means. The essential garment for the Jew was the tunic. Because the tunic was so basic, it was identical for men and women except that the man’s tunic was often shorter (knee length) and more colorful whereas the women’s was often longer (ankle length) and blue. The tunic was normally a long flowing and full cut robe. The girdle was often made of leather or cloth and was used to hold the tunic to the waist. When men needed freedom to work, run or fight, they would tuck the hem of the tunic into the girdle to gain greater freedom and movement. This action was called “girding up the loins” and the phrase became a metaphor for preparedness. The women would often lift the hem of their tunics to help carry heavier or numerous objects. A common expression in America has been the need “to roll up your sleeves” when hard and unhindered work is necessary to accomplish the task. This modern expression finds it counterpart in the biblical expression of “girding up the loins.”[1]

She has a healthy attitude towards hard work.  She doesn’t just sit & do idle work. She isn’t afraid to work hard. In today’s time, how can we apply this? We aren’t just delegating work out or sitting around lazily. We aren’t just playing through life. We work hard for our families and our households. We work diligently in our work places. We give of ourselves within the church.  Vigor means to work using our physical strength within the boundaries of good health and with energy, effort, and enthusiasm.

This woman is truly intelligent, strong, loves her family, and is willing to give of herself in every way possible in order to bring blessings to her home. We see that not only does this woman do all of these things for her family, but she does it willingly and with a good heart.  

We also know this woman likes to look for good deals and is a bargain hunter. The fact that verse 18 tells us that her lamp doesn’t go out may mean to say that she is a hard worker with eyes looking towards her future. Proverbs 24:20 says, “for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.” There are several locations in the Bible that tell us that misfortune is near for those whose lamp goes out.

I suggest for you to read the parable of the five virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

I can’t read these passages and not point out the parallels to the lampstand in Revelation1:12-13 and 2:5. The lampstand in these verses refers to the Holy Spirit. For us personally, the lampstand symbolizes that we are the light within the darkness of this world. We must be vigilant to let our lights shine. To keep oil in our lamps. We need to be examples of holiness. Examples of showing others that the Holy Spirit lives within us by loving others. That is our mission as believers! We must be prepared… “Therefore, be ready. Not only that, walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, depend upon the Spirit of God, be filled with the Spirit” (Smith) Feed your Spirit! That is the idea of keeping oil in our lamps.

Please understand that losing the lampstand is not losing salvation and the part of losing the Holy Spirit is only speaking of the church. However, we can learn from that and note that by not metaphorically being prepared with oil for our own lamps then we are squelching the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we squelch the Holy Spirit then we can lose the light of our lamps and therefore we are no longer walking in the light of Jesus. When we aren’t walking in the light of Jesus then we are allowing the enemy to sneak in on us which guarantees destruction will be before us. Misfortune will be near. Heartache will be plenty. We should be prepared with oil for our lamps. As women after God’s own heart, then we must be diligent to not let our lamp go out at night.

Likewise, allowing our lamp to stay lit symbolizes long life and prosperity.

photo credit: www.ucg.org

What about you? Are you a hard working woman who is doing her work with the right heart or are you grumbling as you serve your family & home? It's important to remember that she isn't focused on "doing" but rather, she is focused on "serving".

Likewise, Are you feeding your spirit? Are you keeping oil in your lamp? What are ways that you choose to keep your spirit fed?

Study the Excellent Wife

from the beginning: Proverbs 31:10

The Helpful Woman

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[1] Maranatha Baptist Seminary - http://www.mbu.edu/seminary/sunesis/gird-up-your-loins/

The Investing Woman

Proverbs 31:16 

 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;

with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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Now, let's talk about the Investing Woman!

One commentator explains that the wife’s considering and buying a field have caused some to question the validity of this poem because women, it is argued, were not permitted to do that in those days. However, in this wealthy household she apparently had money to invest. Then out of her earnings from various investments (cf. “trading,” v. 18, and “sells,” v. 24) she plants a vineyard. She has a business mind and she works hard.[1]

She is industrious, for sure! This doesn’t mean that all women need to go into sales or real estate or even farming. However, it does mean that she is using her gifts & talents to help her family. She uses her mind and thinks logically about her decisions. She weighs her choices & chooses wisely what to do with her earnings. She is thinking long term when she buys a field and with that field chooses to plant a vineyard. We don’t know if her vineyard will be for selling produce, making/selling wine, or maybe it will be to help provide more food for her family. We don’t have to know what she’s going to do with the vineyard. However, we can know that she was wise enough to have her own earnings and re-invest those earnings into something that would be of further blessing & benefit to her family, in some way.

I think it’s necessary to note that she is royalty, so any earnings she has is extra. Maybe in your home the earnings aren’t extra so therefore you couldn’t necessarily save up to buy something as large as a vineyard to help provide for your family. 

In today's world and practically within our tightly budgeted homes of today here are some ways that I think we can invest into our homes and family life:

Prayer is one way we can invest into our families. Prayer changes lives! We strive to do a family prayer time together each night. Our children look forward to praying together. We thank God for our blessings. We pray for each other and others in our community.

Cooking meals and doing family meal time. This invests into the hearts and minds of our children. It feeds them spiritually and emotionally as well as physically.

I took my kids to get library cards as soon as they were old enough, because I want to invest into them a love for reading. This has been a real benefit to them academically!

Going to church together is investing in the spiritual health of your children while also investing into the family unit. It shows our children the importance of serving & being with fellow believers. It strengthens marriages and creates a family bond.

I think something as simple as investing in a few good pieces of clothing. It may cost more on the front end, but if it lasts 10 years then it was a good investment for your budget and your wardrobe. I must admit, I am the Queen of clearance racks at high end stores! You can find designer shirts for as low as $5 on clearance racks sometimes! Therefore, you’re also saving money & investing back into your budget.

For men, having basic tools can be an investment, and those tools can sometimes be passed down for generations. My husband has some tools that belonged to his grandfather. Not only are they helpful, but they're sentimental to him too!

These are just a few examples at how making wise choices can be an investment and a blessing into our family. It doesn’t have to be a piece of real estate. It can be many different things that we devote ourselves to in order to be a benefit and blessing to our household.

What are some beneficial ways you choose to invest into the heritage of your family?

Study these verses 

from the beginning: Proverbs 31:10

The Helpful Woman

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 972). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Planning Woman

I am continuing to share my studies on the Proverbs 31 woman...

Let's take a look at Proverbs 31:13-15

Proverbs 31:13-15(HCSB)

She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

 

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.

 

She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and portions[a] for her female servants.

Photo Credit: meditation.dmc.tv

Verse 13 & 14 are two of many verses that tells us she sews her own clothing, her family’s clothing, and even her bed linens. We know from the old testament that flax was dried and used to make linen (Joshua 2:6) and wool was spun to make yarn (Exodus 35:25) and during this day in age this is something that was necessary to do. 

In terms of today, we can look at this and know she was gifted at planning ahead. She shopped for these items and so we can know she worked hard to provide the best goods for a good price for her family. With planning ahead (because we know the flax had to be dried ahead of time before it could be woven into thread) and using her own talents as well as her own decorating skills, then she provided for her family with unique items like merchant ships would provide unique items to the ports from other countries.

Verse 15 tells us that she has servants, so we know that she has help within her household. Of course, this would be the case especially if this is the wife-to-be for a king. However, this woman is so noble and full of valor that she still wakes up early to care for her home & family. Have you ever worked for someone who worked alongside you? 

When the Hubs was manager over the shipping/receiving team at a big box store then he worked alongside his team. The team who was there had never had a manager who worked alongside of them before. Want to know what happened? He set the pace. The workers worked harder, they stocked faster, and they unloaded the trucks and got the shelves stocked quicker. Before he got that management position, then this team, of which he was a member, was severely lacking. They always ran late which cost the company more hours of pay and less hours of productivity. They would run over into hours in which the store would have customers. When they were finishing early & on time then the customers hadn't arrived yet… or the store was just opening. Therefore, it was easier to stock. So, like the example that he set for his crew members… this woman is setting the pace for her household.

I think so often we can forget that we as women set the pace and the mood for our home. That’s a big responsibility for us, but definitely not one to be taken lightly.  Not always, but often in our home… if I look around and feel like everything is spiraling out of control or chaos is rampant, it’s because I, myself, feel like I am spiraling out of control with frustration or irritation and chaos will be so apparent because I am in a place of chaos myself. This isn’t *always* the case, but I can humbly admit to you… that it does happen for me. When it does, then it trickles down to the Hubs and the kids. 

No doubt, it’s usually when we’re trying to get out the door and the dog bolts out the front door, my youngest needs a diaper change, our big kids forget something they need, I can’t remember if I turned my hot iron off for my hair, and all of this is happening while we are already running a late. I hate to admit to you, this happens more often than I care to say! Those moments are so chaotic for me and I don’t do well in chaos. Furthermore, it deeply affects my family. I have learned to be a planner so that chaos is further from my life than it used to be, but yes… it does rear it’s ugly head on me occasionally. I am a work in progress, no doubt, but I praise the Lord my life doesn't lend itself to the chaos it used to. Which makes for a happier life for all of us! 

How do you contribute to the mood of your home? Do you tend to be a planner or does chaos ensnare you?

Go back to verses 10-12
Helpful Woman

Go forward to verse 16
Investing Woman

The Helpful Woman

I promised to share my study of Proverbs 31 woman when I wrote my last blog posting, An Excellent Wife?! So here I will began posting my studies. I have learned so much and truly enjoyed learning more about this Excellent Wife. She's not just a wife though.. she is every woman! As we draw closer to God, then we can become excellent women. I hope you can learn some things about her like I did! Finding wisdom in her testimony and the understanding of this woman, in her day, will hopefully bless you like it did me!

Photo Credit: http://faraboverubies-3110.blogspot.com/

Here's some background about this chapter:

Proverbs 31 was written to King Lemuel from his mother. Lemuel means “belonging to God” and this is the only mention of King Lemuel in the Bible that we know of.

Interesting note: These last verses of Prov. 31 is an acrostic poem.

Psalms that follow an acrostic pattern begin each line with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Since the Hebrew alphabet contains 22 letters, psalms written with this structure demonstrate great skill on the part of the psalmist: acrostic psalms must both say something meaningful as well as conform to the sequence of the alphabet.

Psalm 111 is a complete acrostic psalm & Psalm 119 is perhaps the most recognizable acrostic psalm. It consists of 22 stanzas of eight verses, each set of which begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

It is not clear if acrostic patterns were used for any reason other their aesthetic value. It is possible they were used to aid memorization. This may be true especially in shorter acrostics like Psalms 111. It is also possible they are meant to portray comprehensiveness (i.e., everything from A to Z). For example, the acrostic in Psalm 119 seems to represent a comprehensive statement about responding to God and His Law. [1]

Let's begin with Proverbs 31:10-12

The wife of noble character is also spoken of in 12:4. Ruth was referred to as being noble in Ruth 3:11. Noble can also be translated as “capable”. In Exodus 18 when Moses appointed different men to be over groups of hundreds, fifties, tens, etc. then God told him to find capable men for this position. Capable means to fear God and be honest & trustworthy. Noble also translates to mean a virtuous woman with moral integrity, strength, and courage.

Capable and noble men and women are rare to find. That’s why the Psalmist is asking us “who can find one?” Not because it’s impossible, but because someone with this type of character is rare.

photo credit: www.parents.com

In verses 11, 23, & 28 her husband is mentioned. This is a total of 3 times and is also mentioned in verse 12 as “him”. He relies on her and her household management skills. Because of her skill then it enhances his wealth. This makes me think of a woman who is frugal and doesn’t waste money. She stretches her dollars. Maybe she coupons. Maybe she finds good deals when shopping. Maybe she knows how to bargain with sales people. Maybe she is patient to wait til something is on sale before she buys it. Maybe she sews her own clothing or that of her children? Maybe she works to help provide income while also managing the household. There are many ways for a woman to contribute to a man’s wealth. The noble wife will do what she needs to do to be a blessing and contribute to the family income! She longs to be helpful and not a burden to their financial budget.

As verse 12 elaborates.. she is an asset to him. She helps him, supports him, and encourages him! She does not encumber him. She is faithful to help him all of her life. The good that comes to him is directly because of the help his wife offers him! This makes me think of the old saying, “Behind every good man is a woman.” Not from the feminist standpoint.. this phrase actually can be traced back before the 1940’s.. before the feminist movement. I think of it from the standpoint that it is the love, support, encouragement, and help mate of a wife who helps to make her husband successful & great!

I personally like to coupon and look for good deals or shop clearance sales! I am also never afraid to ask for a discount!! (Honestly, asking is the hardest part.. I can nearly always get a discount just because I ask for one!) 

What about you? What are some ways you enjoy  contributing to your household?

Go to verses 13-15 

The Planning Woman

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^[1] Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

An Excellent Wife?

Lately I've been doing a personal study on the Proverbs 31 woman. The excellent wife. It has been quite enlightening to me, honestly. You read over everything this woman does and it seems impossible. It is daunting the thought of trying to live up to the high standard she upholds as a wife and even as a mother. However, the thing I'm learning most about her? Not that she's unattainable to mimic, but that she is using the gifts she has to serve the Lord. That's what is most beautiful about her!

Photo credit: www.theheartofhannah.com

I love that she helps her family out financially. Some of us are called to work outside of the home full-time or part-time. Some of us are called to work inside the home. It seems that this woman runs a business out of her home by doing sewing and selling her goods. She is quite talented at it too, because she saves enough money to even buy a vineyard with her earnings. We don't know what she does with her vineyard, but it definitely piques my interest. Does she decide to do farming and sell those good to the merchants too? Maybe she's deciding to grow an orchard? Possibly, she has purchased this property in order to have the space to plant more food for her family to eat! She is a woman who is determined to help her family in whatever way she can.. that we know!

She is also a planner. She is organized and takes the time to think ahead for her family and anticipate needs they may have. She is a woman who feeds her soul and nourishes herself spiritually. She helps her husband and encourages him. She works alongside the servants of her household and doesn't just order them around for the sake of being able to. She treats others with kindness and helps the needy whenever she can. Once again, we see that she is using her gifts to bless her family and others!

The thing that convicted me most about the study I've done of her (which is not completed) is that she does all these things with a cheerful heart. I love my family. I love serving them, cooking for them, and helping them. I love homeschooling our children. I even like folding their laundry (just not always putting it away, ha!). You may ask how in the world I can like these things? The reason is because I get to do it. I am thankful to have a family with many children. I am grateful they have clothes to wear. Those piled up dishes are because we had food to eat and I get to wash them in a home that has heat & air with clean, running water. I am privileged to stay at home and teach them throughout the day, watch them understand a new concept, and rejoice when they get "it"! These are blessings to me! However, I had really fallen into a pattern of grumbling.

Now, I wasn't grumbling out loud, mind you. I was grumbling under my breath. Annoyed in my head and becoming bitter in my heart. As I began this study then the Lord really convicted me. That's not what He wants for me. That is sin... plain & simple and I had to go to the cross and repent. Sister, we all have choices to make. Regardless of where you are in life, are you grumbling over the blessings God has given you?

Photo credit: www.newhopeladies.com

Some women work full-time and keep up a home and take care of the children too. Some women are stay at home moms working within the household and serving the children without many breaks. The question I ask you is... are you delighting in the Lord? Are you planning well for the needs of your family? Lastly, are you using your talents to please the Father?

When I finish my study of Proverbs 31, then I will be sure to post it! For now though, I just want to leave you with the notion... we can add to the blessing of our family and we can take away from the blessing of our family. Which sort of woman are you?