Visiting with Mrs. Proverbs 31: Lived Out Teaching!

God's Godly Lady

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

5/28/08

Lived Out Teaching!

This morning, I poured a cup of coffee, extra cream and sugar! And pulled up with an expectant heart to the table of Mrs. P31. Will you join us?

I began with Proverbs 31:1-9 and my eyes were opened to all the crucial instruction this wise mother gives her son. The major 'lessons to remember' included ...

1) not giving his strength to women (strength in this verse is the same word used for virtuous or excellent in the famous verse 10!)
2) not choosing a path that destroys
3) not getting drunk, hence impairing your judgement
4) speak up for those unable to speak up for themselves
5) judge righteously and defend the rights of the needy

In all her good advice and patient teaching, the one thing she alphabetizes and puts emphasis on is finding an excellent wife! Why did she go through the trouble of (in the Hebrew) alphabetizing the next portion of wisdom?

Because as a wife and mother herself, she knew the weight and value a woman has in the home. The wife really is the heart of her home!

"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband" Proverbs 12:4 teaches.

Some say this mother WAS a P31 woman, I tend to agree, since I notice my own sons learn best by EXAMPLE rather than words! This mother probably taught her son by possibly singing and reciting this passage to him, but she probably also LIVED IT OUT! She knew the real outcome and fruit of her son's life would be GREATLY affected by the woman he choose as a bride!
Even a good man can be corrupted by a poor woman! Amen?

As I come away from my time with Mrs. P31 today, I am taking with me a renewed desire to walk my talk to my own children! If you have children, remember they are watching! What are we teaching with actions today?

I am also taking with me the conviction to be the joyful and ever-present wife my husband needs...not as a result of what he does, but as an overflow in love and service to my Savior. How is my heart being reflected in my home and in my service to my dear husband?

I look forward to meeting you in Mrs. P31's bedroom as we discuss marriage with her next time!!

Visiting with Mrs. Proverbs 31

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5/28/08

Lived Out Teaching!