Proverbs 31 most definitely has to be approached in pieces. The scripture text is so rich and the revelation in it is endless. I have been studying this text over 15 years and I still get new insight into this woman.
The last thing that is mentioned about this woman is one of the first things that I want to target as we start our journey..."...but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" Proverbs 31:30. Her relationship with God is the thing that sets her apart. Some women are charming. They're witty, they know what to say, how to say it, and when. Some women are beautiful. Pleasant to the eyes. Some women are both, but the Virtuous Woman's relationship with God puts her over the top. I'm not insinuating that she's not witty , doesn't know how to get what she wants (in a good way) or is not attractive. But her fear of God puts her in a different class.
Her reverence for God impacts every area of her life. It impacts her marriage, her parenting, how she does business, how she manages her home, her service to others, her speech, and even how she tends to herself. Her fruit/harvest is undeniable. She experiences the God results. Not only does her family praise her, but her outcomes. Her success in whatever she puts her hands to begins and ends with God. Our regard for him makes the difference between us doing and being virtuous. So Virtuous Women be sure to keep the main thing the main thing. Reverence God and love him with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Proverbs 31 Woman: "Standard" or Choice?
It has been a moment since my last blog and with good reason. I have been in prayer and studying the Proverbs 31 Woman. I was on the internet a couple of weeks ago and I was looking at other blogs and articles about the Virtuous Woman and I became astounded at how many women really do not like this woman. A lot of women abhored the fact that Proverbs 31:10-31 was the standard for Godly women. I thought to myself that they've got it all wrong. This woman is not "the standard." She is simply another example of a Godly woman that one can choose or not choose to learn or model from. There is not to be any pressure to model oneself after this woman. It is a choice.
There are so many wonderful Godly women in the Bible to learn from and shadow. For myself, the Virtuous Woman is not the only woman that I aspire to. There's Sarah, who made it to the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. There's Leah, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, Rahab, Esther, Miriam, Naaman's servant girl, Abigail, Priscilla, Lydia, Dorcas, the Mary's, the woman with the issue of blood, Martha, and I can go on and on and on. I could even include the women who teach us what we shouldn't do. So you see there's no pressure to meet the checklist. As a matter of fact this woman is rare. The Virtuous Woman is not common. She doesn't come a dime a dozen. "Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies." Prov. 31:10. This verse speaks to how rare a woman like this is. Who wants to be virtuous?
The word virtuous is a military word. It means to be mighty and valiant. She's a soldier. She'll ride and die for God and her family. Who knew that all of the task that are mentioned in the verses were acts of warfare. Who knew that to gain the total trust of your man, getting up early, going to bed late, working outside of the home, going the extra mile with dinner, making sure everyone's outfitted, worship to God, outreach, and let's not forget her business, and taking care of the family finances were all acts of warfare. Who wants to do all that? "Many daughters have done virtuously..." Prov. 31:29. At some point in our lives we have all done virtuous acts, but to be consistently Virtuous is a choice and path taken by only a few. And that's O.K. As you can see in Proverbs 31:29 not following the model doesn't change your status as God's daughter. If you've chosen this route. If you've chosen to be a Virtuous Woman and not just do virtuous acts...then this is the blog for you. Please feel free to subscribe, comment and share your virtuous journey with other Virtuous Women as we deal with all things that pertain unto life and Godliness.
There are so many wonderful Godly women in the Bible to learn from and shadow. For myself, the Virtuous Woman is not the only woman that I aspire to. There's Sarah, who made it to the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. There's Leah, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, Rahab, Esther, Miriam, Naaman's servant girl, Abigail, Priscilla, Lydia, Dorcas, the Mary's, the woman with the issue of blood, Martha, and I can go on and on and on. I could even include the women who teach us what we shouldn't do. So you see there's no pressure to meet the checklist. As a matter of fact this woman is rare. The Virtuous Woman is not common. She doesn't come a dime a dozen. "Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies." Prov. 31:10. This verse speaks to how rare a woman like this is. Who wants to be virtuous?
The word virtuous is a military word. It means to be mighty and valiant. She's a soldier. She'll ride and die for God and her family. Who knew that all of the task that are mentioned in the verses were acts of warfare. Who knew that to gain the total trust of your man, getting up early, going to bed late, working outside of the home, going the extra mile with dinner, making sure everyone's outfitted, worship to God, outreach, and let's not forget her business, and taking care of the family finances were all acts of warfare. Who wants to do all that? "Many daughters have done virtuously..." Prov. 31:29. At some point in our lives we have all done virtuous acts, but to be consistently Virtuous is a choice and path taken by only a few. And that's O.K. As you can see in Proverbs 31:29 not following the model doesn't change your status as God's daughter. If you've chosen this route. If you've chosen to be a Virtuous Woman and not just do virtuous acts...then this is the blog for you. Please feel free to subscribe, comment and share your virtuous journey with other Virtuous Women as we deal with all things that pertain unto life and Godliness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)