Starting with the obvious - Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:10-31

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^{Y)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">} 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.
²⁵Strength 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."
³⁰Charm 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."

There seems to be this preconceived notion among those outside (and even a few inside) the church that the Bible calls women to be passive, weak, and completely subject to the rule of a man. However, Scripture speaks to a different role for women. I'm not really sure where this idea of a second class woman came from, but even this most commonly quoted passage mentions a different kind of woman.

Proverbs 31 is a well know, often quoted passage, for young girls and grown women alike. There is a reason this passage is often labelled, "The Virtuous Woman" or some similar version. But, nowhere in this passage does the Word say that a woman is to sit quietly and only do what she is told. No where does it say that a woman's place is barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. On the contrary, she is busy!

The Proverbs 31 woman is very busy to be exact. She rises before the sun comes up and doesn't go to bed until it's dark again. She uses her time wisely. She is a homemaker and a businesswoman, involved in charity and respected in the community. This woman holds the favor of everyone in her house, including her husband.

The idea of a Biblical woman being a homemaker is not that hard of a stretch. According to this Scripture, she strives to provide for those in her home everything that they need. She brings a variety of foods to the table. She makes sure everyone is dressed appropriately, whether the weather is warm or cold. They have what they need. But, she doesn't stop there.

She is also a businesswoman. She made clothes and sold them. She purchased land and planted vineyards. She was known and her product trusted among merchants. This woman is not sitting on her rear all day. She does work outside the home. Somehow over the centuries, and only until recently has it changed, a woman's role had been reduced to home. Today, we have a rounder view of a woman's place. She can do it all. She can do anything she wants. The Lord has called women to manage the home, but not to be restricted to it. We have an ability to multitask. We do this better than men. It's okay, we need to multitask. We have a lot to get done, and God has given us this ability to help us manage that long to do list. This woman is a manager, and delegator, and a strong CEO of her home and her business.

But, it's not all business for this woman. The verses in Proverbs 31 mention her charitable contributions. Verse 20 most prominently mentions that "opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." Today, this can take many forms. There are so many charities and ministries that a woman can be involved in. But the key is, she's involved!

Built on all these things is an important point to remember. She was respected in her community, among the business world, among the political and religious leadership, and most especially in her own household. Respect is not something given to a small, hidden, silent, subjected woman, who is only useful for cooking, cleaning, and childbearing. This is powerful. Her husband is respected because of her. She is wise and kind, she gives counsel to those who seek it. She teaches others how to be a godly women. She has become a model of Biblical womanhood for hundreds of generations. And her husband respects her! He knows that she is intelligent and hardworking.

Most importantly, she feared the Lord. She knew that He held her in His hands, and that she owes everything she has to Him. He is her guide and where her strength is found. He is her foundation and purpose. Through her example, we can see what God wants for us.

We are not to be lazy. We are to get up, get out there, and show our light to the world. We, as women and children of God, are to share this example as hardworking, multitasking, dedicated, and respected women. Those on the outside, should see women who do our very best in everything we do. They should be amazed at what we accomplish. I know full well that this is a hard model to live up to, especially in a world that values different things. But we should also remember what the end of this passage says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." It's not all about beauty and charm, (though these things are helpful) it's about our relationship with the Lord. We are to seek Him, in everything we do, whether in the home or in the workplace. Everything we do should bring glory to the Lord and seek to show Him to those around us.

(I am still striving for these things in my own life. Lord, help me to be the woman You have planned in every step I take. Oh Lord, help me!)