Proverbs 31: 10-31 (ESV)
The Woman Who Fears the LORD
10An excellent wife who can find?She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Characteristics and such...
Her husband trusts her nature (what comes out whenever she's bumped, and yes, God does bump us on purpose) because he's seen it and knows it. (v.11)
Consistent in her nature (i.e. being a godly woman). (v. 12)
Diligent rather than lazy, and she doesn't waste time. (v. 13-17) -That was a big one for me.
Kind, generous (v. 20)
Conscientious dresser, meaning she takes care of her appearance. A wife is a jewel in her husband's crown. She is a creative support for him. (v.22)
Her character (what's inside) makes the outer alive and radiant (v. 25)
"She smiles at the days to come." Her hope is in God. (v. 25)
Measures her words (v. 26)
Respected by her intimate family. (v. 28-29) - I'd never thought about this before, but how important is this and how loved and special do we feel when it is true in our lives?!
Other points that hit home...
I have control over only me. I only control how I respond to what others do that may hurt me, disappoint me, anger me, etc.
And my responses have the potential to bring joy and peace because I've honored God in them (in actions, words, facial expressions, tone, etc).
Goals, I can personally accomplish. I however cannot have a goal that involves someone else doing something.
Desires, may deal with behavior/actions of another person.
Hypocrite (def): someone who acts like someone they are not
Meaning, even when I don't feel like being a godly woman, I'm not being a hypocrite when I act like a godly woman because of who God says I am. God says to live put on "your new self" (Eph 4:24).
What I heard during this part was, "set your minds and hearts and do it, regardless of your feelings." He will change my heart when I obey and nowhere does it say that I can wait until I feel like acting like a godly woman to live out the life of a Godly woman. Ouch. I really need to stop letting my emotions and feelings dictate my actions.
God loves us intimately- look for it in the little things...and probably when you least expect it.
What joy, we are completely holy and set free in Christ!
