As I have mentioned before some friends and I have just finished up doing the Proverbs 31 Bible study through Good Morning Girls. I have learned so much about myself and my friends throughout the course of the study. I have heard from some people that the Proverbs 31 woman is not an achievable goal, that we will never be like her. I have been told by some friends that they don't feel like they measure up to her or others of us doing the study and to that I have a little different view to add. I am not adding to scripture just simply looking at the Proverbs 31 woman in a little different light so that those of you who think you can never be like her may possibly change your thinking. I believe we can be like her - if we want - if we focus on God first and trust Him for guidance. I also believe we should want to be like her, as a Christian woman, as wives and mothers - we should desire to have her same qualities and traits and should look to her as a mentor, role model and example for our own lives.
She was human just like we are and I am sure she had rough, lazy, I just don't want to do this kind of days. There could have been days that she slept late, over slept or went back to bed. I would venture to say she had days that her plans failed and she accomplished next to nothing even though she had high hopes for the day. I am sure she had days that her children and husband got to hear her fuss or complain about not being appreciated for all she did and possibly she snapped at them in anger from time to time. She could have on occasion slipped and said something hurtful to a friend or family member. She probably had days that she burned her dinner or lacked the necessary ingredients she needed to prepare her families food for the day. It's totally possible that she spent more money than she should have on an "impulse" buy while shopping.
If you think that this view of the Proverbs 31 Woman just couldn't be true look at Jesus. He was Perfect but while He was on the earth He was human. He got mad at the people selling in the Temple and overturned their tables (John 2 and Mark 11:15-19). He got upset with His disciples for not staying awake and keeping watch while He went to pray (Matthew 26:40). He had real human emotions and feelings just like the Proverbs 31 woman and just like you and me.
BUT just as this scripture (Proverbs 31:10-31) doesn't focus on that aspect of her life - neither should we focus on that part of our own life.
If you have a bad day or a bad week don't let that get you down. You can do this and so can I.
Determine where you need work, pray and ask God for help and start now to change that area for the better as you work your way towards being the Proverbs 31 Woman. If there is one thing I know for sure it's that I need help doing this. I can't be the best person, wife or mom that I want to be or am supposed to be on my own. The Bible says that with God ALL things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
What are your thoughts on the Proverbs 31 woman?
My friend Dee wrote a beautiful summary of the Bible Study over on her blog and I encourage you to check it out. Click HERE to read her post.
Love studying the Proverbs 31 woman. Her focus was on God and it helped to motivate her to do good and kind deeds to all. Visiting from WLW.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting things in perspective!! Very encouraging post.:)
ReplyDeleteKim said...
ReplyDeleteThe Pr 31 woman is a composite of several virtuous women listed throughout the Bible and not so much the checklist that people try to make it.
Pr 31:10
Everyone in her community knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman (Ru 3:11).
These women were called blessed:
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” (Pr 31:29)
Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. May she be blessed above all women who live in tents. (Ju 5:24)
Mary - Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (Lu 1:28)
These women spoke wisdom and faithful instruction. (Pr 31:26).
Unnamed wise woman of Abel's wise instruction saved her city. (2 Sa 20:19-22)
Esther was woman of strength and dignity who feared God. Her wisdom helped saved the Jews from annihilation. (Book of Es)
Pilate's wife spoke with wisdom and faithful instruction. (Mt 27:19)
Others in her community had "full confidence" in the prophet Huldah's ability to authenticate a very important book for the king. (2 Ki 22:14-20).
Rahab "watched over the affairs of her household." She wisely and faithfully "instructed" the spies about how to hide and escape. She negotiated a plan that would save her life and the lives of those in her household. (He 11:31)
Priscilla worked with her hands too. She was a tent maker. She assisted her husband in giving Apollos wise and faithful instruction. (Ac 18:26)
Prophetess Anna's lamp didn't go out at night because she worshiped God day and night by fasting and praying. She wasn't idle, and wisdom and faithful instruction were on her tongue. (Lu 2:36-38)
Judge & Prophet Deborah wisely instructed the people of Israel. (Ju chapter 4 & 5)
She has been like a merchant's ship that brings its merchandise from far away. (Pr 31:14)
The Queen of Sheba literally brought Solomon gifts of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones from away. (1 Ki 10:6-10). Also like Pro 31 woman, Queen of Sheba'a earned a reward, and her quest for wisdom brought her praise. Queen of Sheba is one of the few women Jesus celebrates from the OT. She came from afar to hear the wisdom of a mere man. She was amazed at what she saw and heard. However, when Jesus who was greater than Solomon came, many despised, rejected, slighted and slandered Him. (Mt 12:42)
Watched over affairs of household (Pr 31:27)
Zipporah knew what she needed to do to save her husband's life. She brought him goodness and not harm. (Ex 4:14-20)
Moses' mom hid him. Moses may or may not have called her blessed, but Paul felt she was blessed and listed her in the Hebrew Hall of faith. (He 11:23).
Deacon Phoebe helped watch over the affairs of the household of faith. (Ro 16:1-2)
Brings goodness rather than harm. (Pr 31:12)
Midwives did what was "good" for newborns and refused to harm them like the king commanded. (Ex 1:15-21)
Helps poor (Pr 31:20)
Dorcas helped the poor. (Ac 9:36)
Doesn't let her lamp go out... (Pr 31:18)
Wise virgin didn't allow her lamp to go out. She was prepared when Bridegroom came. (Ma 25:1-12)
Like the Pr 31 woman, Lydia was a woman of noble character. The name "Lydia" means noble.
The Pr 31 woman wore purple, and Lydia sold it. Pro 31 woman was a merchant and so was Lydia. (Ac 16:14, 40)
None of these women were superwoman, but each was super and virtuous in her own way. Instead of looking at all the ways we might not measure up to the Pr 31, may we consider the traits that we have in common with her like the women mentioned above.