WARNING: This post is lengthy!
 |
| This Bible was my husband's grandfathers and it was given to him shortly after he passed in 2018. Since then, this has been my husband's primary Bible for study, our morning and evening devotionals, and this is a photo of the scripture my sweet husband speaks over me every Shabbat. |
How do we live up to God’s standards? How do we hear God’s voice over all the noise of the world? We listen to His word.
Here are 21 steps to be a Proverbs 31 woman:
[Pro 31:10-31 KJV]
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
As I mentioned above, the first step is to know your worth and to know your worth you must know Him. You have to understand how truly loved, how truly cherished, how truly PRECIOUS you are to Him. You are so precious He sent His son to walk this earth as we have walked, to be tempted and tortured, and ultimately to die so that YOU may be saved. It is so unfathomable that God, an omniscient, benevolent, and omnipresent deity would go through such turmoil for people who didn’t even exist yet. This is another topic that could have millions of posts written about it, but if you want more information on your worth to God, check out these posts.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Is your husband your best friend? Can he come to you no matter the circumstance and pour his heart out to you without fear of judgment? I know this is something I struggle with. When I am filled with God and soaring on His Spirit I do a great job of this; unfortunately, I am not always soaring on God’s spirit. If you are filled with God’s love you can’t help but pour that into other people - especially your husband.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
This ties so perfectly with the verse above. If you are filled with God’s spirit you can’t possibly do evil to anyone - especially your husband.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
This one is fairly self-explanatory - work willingly and diligently with your hands. Seek what you need to provide for yourself, your house, and your community.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Reach out to the world! You don’t have to sell everything, move to the middle east, and become a missionary. Reach out to your community. Reach out to your state. Look for those who are lost and bring your food - the bread of life given to you by our Father in heaven - to those who lack.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
How many of you are constantly tired and needing a break? I know I feel that way all too often. My to-do list was so long I was going to have to be up until midnight to get everything done! It is so easy to let the flesh win when it cries out for things like sleep and food. I promise you the more time you devote to God - even just 5 minutes - the more time you will have during the day. If you are steady in the spirit you will have the energy to rise while it is night, to provide above and beyond for your household, to provide for all who help you. Give your time to God and He will give it back to you 10 fold.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
This is one of the most important takeaways from these 21 verses. DO NOT act without thinking. Prayerfully consider all things. Your money is God’s money. Your time is God’s time. How many times does the bible mention the fruit of your labor? Planting a vineyard takes patience and diligence. You do not reap rewards immediately, but the rewards are worth the wait.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Stand strong in all you do and cling tight to God with all your strength. No matter what comes against you do not let your knees buckle or your hand let go of His.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Your work does not end at sundown. Your work does not begin at sunrise. Your work is a continuous process - even as you sleep. Your merchandise is the fruit of your work; the fruit of your spirit. So long as you hold fast to God and His Spirit dwelling within you you will continue to produce better and better fruit.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
This verse is all about creating and providing. Create the environment your family will thrive in. The phrase "happy wife happy life" may be funny but it is very true. We as wives and mothers are the mood setters in our family.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
This one is pretty self-explanatory; help the poor and needy and stretch outside your comfort zone to provide for those that need it most.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
Do your part to ensure your family is warm, clothed, fed, comfortable, and able to withstand a storm. Your family is (or should be) your absolute most valuable possession and therefore should be regarded as your highest elect and clothed in scarlet. Scarlet is a double-dipped color that is extremely labor-intensive and reserved for those of the highest elect. (More on this in this post)
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
What do you think of when you think of tapestry? I think of those beautiful story pieces you see in museums from ancient Egypt, the Native Americans, and of course the tabernacle. These things were made by hand very meticulously and silk was the creme de la creme of thread in those days. Clothe yourself beautifully in God's love for His intricacies are what make you beautiful.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Do your words elevate your husband, even when he is not around to hear them? What about your actions? Your actions and words reflect on your husband.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Be innovative and confident. You have what your husband wants and only you can see the most intimate pieces of him.
25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
When you fall get right back up. Do not let the enemy trample your dignity for you are the daughter of the king! You are clothed in the blood of Jesus and because He dwells in you you can conquer all things. You will rejoice so long as you have Him.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
Speak life in all things. Hold your tongue when you can't. Do not let idle words bring more destruction into this world.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
You are probably already doing this one: take care of your home and those who dwell in it. One thing most of us (myself especially) could improve is not eating the bread of idleness. This doesn't have to be an overnight thing! Take one small step each day to eat less of that bread of idleness. Start with 5 fewer minutes on your phone/watching tv/sitting in a chair and replace that with 5 minutes of prayer.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
You do not have to be a mother for this verse to apply to you! If you have children, you know that it can take a lot for them to notice the things you do and bless you (or thank you). If your children wake up and immediately bless you you feel on top of the world! The same goes for your husband. God knows their hearts and just as importantly He knows yours. He sees the work you do daily and He blesses you for it through them. Your husband will speak this praise to you and you should listen!
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Comparing yourself to others is a futile effort. We all do it, but God states we are ALL fearfully and wonderfully made. Your virtue is special to God. Your virtue is especially precious to your husband. To your husband, you are the most excellent, and that makes you the most excellently virtuous daughter to God.
30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
The nitty-gritty of this chapter is in these last two verses. Don't be deceived by fallible people and don't focus on your outward appearance but instead follow God with all your heart. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". Be wise.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Let others judge you by your fruit. If you are living in His will, serving Him, and seeking Him in all things you will bear good fruit. Your works will naturally bring you to His gates and He will praise you.
Every week our family has our version of the Sabbath. We endearingly call this our Bellott Shabbat and it is one of the traditions we kept from our journey through the Messianic church. Each week I make pizza and challah, we sit around the table and read scripture and pray as we enter into our Sabbath. Every week my husband reads Proverbs 31 over me. I listen to him list out these beautiful attributes and one of two things happens: I highlight which ones I did not accomplish for the week or I tell that silly voice in my head to shhh while I look into my husband's eyes and hear God's word. It’s an extremely beautiful time of speaking life over your marriage and your duties as a wife that can easily be tainted by your flesh comparing you to this perfect wife. I still struggle with shutting those thoughts down. It can be hard to listen to these words and let them resonate with your spirit, especially when you've had a bad week. God is not demanding you are the perfect Proverbs 31 woman to your husband every waking moment. God is giving you the outline for what Christ sees in you when you are delighting in Him and obeying His will. When you delight in Christ, you fulfil each of these beyond anything you could ever do on your own accord.
Comments
Post a Comment