Monday’s Part 1
Tuesday’s Part2
Proverbs 31: 13-15
“She selects wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and portions for her servant girls.”
I wanted to share something that I just learned with you from this neat book called Adventuring Through the Bible by Ray Stedman. He explains that the first nine verses in Proverbs 31 are what his mother was teaching him about how to be a king. It’s believed that possible this description of a wife is really the description of his own mother. Interesting huh?! Also, the book of Proverbs was written as counsel of the king to his sons so perhaps the book in its entirety is a training manual for the husbands. “Smile Ladies!” We have 31 verses, they have 31 chapters! I’m Just joking ladies.
In Tuesday’s (Part 2) comments Cheri spoke of the possiblity this ‘Wife of Noble Character’ also serving as a picture of the body of Christ when functioning as intended. Hopefully, I summed up her comment correctly. I have been thinking about his thought of hers and I want to talk a bit about it. If all the parts of the body are functioning properly than the effectiveness & productivity are greater. Agree? Well, we learn in God’s word that there is a need to be effective due to the fact there is an urgency for people to know that heaven is near and people need to be prepared. I want to back up this sense of urgency with a few verses (Matthew 4:17 Jesus’ words as he began his ministry here on Earth were “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” also found in Mark 1 & Luke 4).
If we (FYI- Anytime you see me put “I” or “We” be sure that i’m not implying us alone. It’s always the Lord in us, through us or help us to accomplish. Never do I want you to think I mean anything can be done without the Lord. Just wanted to clarify that.) as women can fashion ourselves to live the model set before us, then look at the effectiveness, resourcefulness, eagerness, strength, and servant hood found just in our homes. That has to have a trickle-down effect! It’s like having a good attitude, it’s contagious. For what better a cause to be contagious than for my home, in order, being able to serve others (my neighbors, friends, extended family, strangers, helpless, homeless, widowed, church, missionaries, etc.) and ultimately serving the Lord. At this present moment my fingers are moving faster than my keyboard. I attribute that to the Lord because it’s Him who puts this in my heart.
Becoming the virtuous & capable wife seems to be just an Oreo in a bigger picture. But a necessary Oreo. The greatest call in our lives is to reach others with the love of Christ and the hope of eternity through salvation by whatever means, gifts or callings He’s given us. I see that as the center in which all else revolves around, including the teaching in Proverbs 31. Simply another example of how to be effective and why. The how being us placing the Lord on the Throne of our Lives daily, to the point it’s yes to Him and no to all else. The why being because all need to know, hear, and come to a relationship with Him too.
If the Lord loves me the same today as He did when I was lost, then following this Proverbs 31 Woman of Faith example doesn’t put another jewel in my crown. It gives me the opportunity to have more crowns to cast at His feet. All thanks to the better effectiveness I had in my time spent here. I don’t find that to be an overwhelming thought, rather a motivation in my life for choosing His reward later over my reward here & now. I imagine that the Lord realizes we dust kids here on Earth needed some short term benefits to keep us motivated when we loose sight of why we do what we do. So perhaps the lack of stress over financial issues due to planned spending, excess of things to share, the chance to form relationships, and the ability to relax because we have time leftover to enjoy our families are our Earthly rewards.
In today’s verses I see that this woman has the opportunity to make choices rather than settle for only a few options. This allows us to be able to deal with unplanned moments in life. Like a neighbor who is in need of something or maybe a special offering to a missionary family. She is able and eager to do.
She also is a connection maker. Her wisdom has allowed her to possibly connect with resources not necessarily close to her home or town. I have found that making connections in life is very important and many times how the Lord makes big things happen. Of course He is the orchestrator of those great connections when I look back to see how ironic was that!
She serves not only her own family but others. This is not a quality I think will be very prevalent in future years because we live in the most me-centered society of all history thus far. It’s all about me and my needs and what I want. Not about others. I personally am working hard to not become an addition to the problem.
For anyone who doesn’t know me well I’m one label gun short of having a white jacket and living in a padded room. In essence I’m a perfectionist. I thrive off of order and to do lists. Therefore, I’m loving every minute of this study! I have enjoyed today the most yet! I want to point out that I wrote the last post for Monday but this… this is the Lords. I want to publicly give Him the credit. Now i’m so excited that He took over this post i’m hushing so I can call my mother and share what just happened!!
In Preparation for Part 4 read Proverbs 31: 16-18. If you have never done a bible study before or don’t feel your method of “study” has worked for you, try this style I use. Click here for a detailed example in a previous post of mine. Easy & Fun, but best of all you actually see the Lord teaching you all by yourself. If you get stuck and need help just e-mail me at proofofhisgrace@tampabay.rr.com .
See you tomorrow! ~Heather