| Take a moment now and read
Proverbs 31, beginning with verse 10.
Proverbs 31:10-31
So now how unworthy do
you feel? Yeah, me too.
I've never met a
woman like that and I'm glad my mate didn't wait
until he did—he'd still be waiting!
So then, why did
God put that in His word and just what did He
want us to learn from it?
More
Than An Ideal
As in the Sermon
on the Mount, Scripture often sets ideals few if
any can hope to achieve. Certainly, none of us
can come close without the Lord's doing it for
us! So, yes, the Proverbs 31 lady is an ideal,
but I think she's more than that.
One of the first
things we learn about her is that her husband has
full confidence in her. That's a pretty cool
lesson for both husbands and wives!
Also note that
she's an independent business woman. Nowhere does
it mention that her field or her sash making
enterprises are part of her husband's business
affairs. She does them on her own and with her
husband's blessing.
Another
noteworthy fact is that she apparently doesn't
pursue these businesses out of financial need.
There are hints of wealth throughout the passage,
so I believe she's in business because she enjoys
it. That's neat!
Her husband and
children praise her career. Please read that one
more time. They praise her career.
On the
Home Front
This successful
business woman has her house in order. She
doesn't let her career overtake her duties as
wife and mother. That's tough to do!
I believe the
Lord is telling us a bit about priorities here.
And balance. Does it mean we need to be up before
the sun and keep our lamps burning all night? I
sure hope not!
God gives men
and women well-defined roles and they are not
always what we think they are. In His wisdom, God
places women in the role of caretakers of their
homes. Others can and should help, but she's the
one in charge.
|
"The Water Girl"
"Whoa," you say, "what about
the man being the head of the house?" Go back to the Bible, my
friend, for it never says he's "head of the house." He's head of
his spouse as Christ is head
of the church, but she is clearly pictured
as being in charge of the household affairs
throughout scripture.
So our lady of
the Proverbs watches over her household and is
not idle. Obviously, she doesn't get so wrapped
up in her work that her family takes a back seat.
Nor does she allow her career to become an excuse
for neglect of household chores.
Perhaps I read
between the lines a bit, but I get the feeling
that her family helps her get work done around
the house out of respect for her and the other
work she does.
A Woman
of the Nineties
I never cease to
wonder at how up to the minute Scripture is. This
super woman was described many, many centuries
ago yet she's truly a woman of the nineties in
every respect.
She teaches both
men and women invaluable lessons. Her husband is
not threatened by her success, nor is she made
haughty by it. She doesn't feel guilty for
wanting and pursuing a career. But neither does
she play the martyr for having responsibilities
both at home and at work.
You know, I
think she's having a blast! Praise God!
|
