We conclude our study of the woman of valor, and the book of Proverbs, today. I want to thank you for spending these one hundred days with me in the word of God! I promise you it won't be wasted. God will honor our devotion to His word and He will use it in our lives in some marvelous ways.
We are looking at the final portion of Chapter 31 which describes the woman of valor, the godly woman, the type of woman every single man should be looking for when he starts thinking about getting married. We've already learned she's a smart businesswoman whose husband trusts her to make financial decisions of her own. He supports her goals in life just as she supports his. Since her main goal in life is to help her family prosper in every way, we find her always at work doing good for her household, whether that work is in the home or outside the home.
"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (Proverbs 31:17) This woman keeps herself fit, not so she can measure up to society's standards of beauty, but so she can be healthy enough to do all that she needs to do and wants to do. This verse makes a very important point for all girls and women, in that the main goal of fitness should be taking care of the bodies God gave us.
I hit my teen years at about the time when "thin was in". Curvy models were out of style. All the actresses and models of the 1980s were skinny as a rail and they have been ever since. I've had an unhealthy obsession with thinness for most of my life, then I hit my 40s and found it was taking twice as much effort with exercise and diet to get half the results. In desperation to boost my metabolism, I started weight training several times a week. That's when the Lord unexpectedly taught me something new concerning what fitness is all about. I can now take more pleasure in feeling strong than in worrying about the numbers on the scale. I've decided to focus on how it feels to be able to work harder and to have more endurance and energy during the day than whether I can still fit into a particular size. I believe the woman of Proverbs 31 focused on her health and strength rather than her weight or waist measurement. I picture her with her sleeves rolled up, biceps flexing as she grinds grain or kneads bread or weaves clothes. She's not worried about being a size zero; she's concerned only with keeping her body fit and healthy so she can enjoy the work and the fun activities in her life. We will all be much happier if we accept God's definition of beauty and fitness rather than society's definition. A godly woman who loves and serves the Lord is the most beautiful creature on earth.
"She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." (Proverbs 31:18-19) Even at home in the evening this woman is not idle. She lights the lamp when it gets dark and continues with her tasks.
Her trading is so profitable that she is able to help those less fortunate. "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." (Proverbs 31:20)
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple." (Proverbs 31:21-22) She makes warm and beautiful clothes and bed coverings for her family. The items she makes are both practical and attractive. Like most women, she enjoys having beautiful things in her house and wearing pretty clothes. There's nothing wrong with that as long as we don't become shallow and vain, caught up in a form of idolatry that values possessions more than godliness.
Next we learn that her husband has a fine reputation in the community, and the author indicates her husband owes much of his success to her. "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." (Proverbs 31:23) You've probably heard the saying, "Behind every successful man is a woman," and the husband in Proverbs 31 is respected in his community because of the woman who supports and encourages him. He is able to be successful because she is a faithful, trustworthy, and godly woman. Likewise, she is able to be successful because he supports and encourages her. He's a faithful, trustworthy, and godly man.
"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31:24-27) She trust in the Lord and doesn't fear the future. She knows the word of God and is able to impart wise instruction to her children. She is always available for her children: being involved with their activities, knowing all their friends, and showing interest in the daily happenings of their lives.
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" (Proverbs 31:28) The children of this loving mother absolutely adore her. Her husband does too. He can't believe his luck in being the man who won her hand in marriage, happily exclaiming, "I have the best wife in the whole world!"
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:30-31) The world may look only at the outward man, but the Lord looks on the heart. He is pleased with this godly woman who honors His name and obeys His word. He invites everyone in her home and community to praise her character, for she deserves recognition. She is beautiful in the sight of the Lord and in the eyes of her husband, children, and neighbors. If we are going to try and model ourselves on anyone, it should be this woman, not some celebrity on the cover of a magazine. There is no woman more fit than the one who takes care of herself so that she can take care of others and be able to work for the kingdom of God. There is no woman more beautiful than the one who glows from within because of the love and security she has found in her Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment