Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Women as participants in the Divine

Proverbs 31:16-31
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

 
Proverbs 31 depicts a strong woman who puts God’s wisdom into practice in her life. If we look closely at this part of scripture the first thing, I want us to take note of is that this isn’t just a chapter about a wife of noble character. It’s a chapter about a woman of valor. A courageous woman. A woman of strength and dignity. She is one who has strength and power that comes from godly character traits.  She draws her strength from her relationship with God and views her family as the first and foremost place where that strength is spent.  Throughout this section of Scripture, we read how she works to bless and build up her family.  The praise she receives in this passage comes primarily from her husband and her children.  

It is widely believed that the book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, David’s son. Remember that when he was crowned king, his first prayer to God was for WISDOM, not riches or power. God was so pleased with this request, that He granted Solomon unequaled wisdom – God’s wisdom – during his reign. These proverbs are God’s wisdom flowing through Solomon’s pen of experience. It is God’s Spirit whispering His Word through the hand of His wisest king. And this proverb supposedly came from Solomon’s mother Bathsheba – describing in detail the qualities of a wife that she wanted her son to have. God is ascribing the perfect qualities of what a woman should be. A helper and partner to her spouse. A patient, hard-working mother to her children. A giving, indispensable woman to her community. A creative income-earner for her family. An unparalleled cook. An impeccably dressed, beautiful woman. A selfless, tireless lady who gets up before dawn so that all her family’s needs are taken care of before her own. A woman who proactively prepares for disaster, so that in case of misfortune, her family can withstand the slings and arrows of life’s circumstances. The constant encourager, respectful of her husband, always building up his reputation aside from her own.

We see this godly woman in Proverbs 31 doing a wide variety of things with her time and her energy.  The main thing in all of them is that she fears the Lord.  Her lifestyle choices, therefore, are not directed by worldly influences.  They are directed by a desire to glorify and honor God.  Such a woman, according to Proverbs, has a worth far above jewels.  Her worth to her husband is incalculable I also love how Proverbs 31:30 reminds us “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” If you notice the book of Proverbs starts out with the claim that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1:7) The Bible praises the woman of Proverbs 31 because fear of the Lord roots her character in God’s character, rather than in other things. Notice it’s not a woman with a spotless house who is to be praised. It’s not the mom with perfectly behaved children wearing matching, designer outfits. Honestly, it’s not even the woman who’s married and has children. A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This isn’t an “I’m afraid of God” kind of fear. This type of fear refers to having a heart completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly with her life. She has a heart of reverence that overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom.

May we, like the Proverbs 31 Woman, seek the Lord with all our hearts, trusting that God will align our daily duties with our heartfelt devotion to him.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for this beautiful picture You painted in the pages of Scripture. Help me receive these words from You as a gift. Help me hear them spoken over my own life with Your voice of love. And show me how to live them out, according to the unique way You purposefully designed me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 


Mrs. Sarah George
Chicago Mar Thoma Church


Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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