So I have to be honest--I've struggled to find the motivation to finish my study on what it means to be the Proverbs 31 Woman. But today I feel like God has it specially on my heart to finish. So here it goes...
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Back when Proverbs was written, linen garments were considered finery. I don't want to over-exegete this verse, but it seems like it's saying that a woman of the Lord profits from her skill and productivity.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
A good friend gave me this verse once to encourage me and I absolutely love it. As a woman of God, I am called to cover myself with strength and dignity. I love the "clothing" metaphor. Getting dressed is one of the first things we do in the morning and it's how we start each and every day. As a woman of God, I am to begin each day by putting on strength and dignity. Dignity is defined as, "the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect." Dignity in itself is a high calling, but one that is absolutely achievable if we truly submit our hearts to God and pursue Him in everything. And I love the phrase, "she smiles at the future." I have no need to worry. When I put my trust in the Lord all there is to do is smile, because I know that He has everything under control.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
This is so beautiful. A woman of God knows both when to speak and what to say. She also teaches others to be kind, as well as gives instruction with and out of kindness. I can't help but associate this with gentleness and poise.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Simply put: a woman of God is not lazy. She is vigilant and keeps watch over her family.
28-29 Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and her praises her, saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.'
A woman of God is lovable and loved. Not only does she possess all these wonderful, godly characteristics, she is known for them. I hope and pray that one day my husband and children cay say this of me. I think it's also necessary to point out that this isn't for pride's sake by any means. I want to be identified as a woman of God simply because of the way I live my life, not because of a selfish effort to achieve biblical perfection. Achieving these things in vain is no better than never achieving them at all.
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
This verse is pretty popular, and I think the core message of it does a pretty good job of summing up all 21 verses: the most important thing about a woman (or any person, for that matter) is her relationship with the Lord. Charm and beauty may be important things in today's society, but in the end it won't matter how charming we were or how beautiful we were by the world's standards. None of it lasts. As Peter puts it, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" (1 Peter 3:3-6).
31 Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
So what did I learn from all this? Where to begin...I can say that a lot of reflection and processing went on throughout the past week or so that has allowed me to apply this knowledge to my life in actual, practical ways. I'm always seeing areas in my life where I'm failing to exemplify many of these qualities. I often make the mistake of perceiving it on a success continuum; as in one day I'll have finally mastered all this and I can finally be considered a "good" woman of God. But God is gracious enough to show me over and over again that the walk of faith is one of obedience, not success. I'm never gonna master any of this as long as I'm human. But I find so much comfort in the fact that God doesn't expect that of me. All He asks is that I do my best each and every day to pursue Him and in that, to bear fruit. God has grace for the times that I fail. I'm by no means saying that it's okay to be content with never achieving any of this; but I am saying that I'm required to obey and to strive for holiness, not to be perfect. And so that's what I'm choosing: to run as fast as I can in His direction and let that be all I need.
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