Thursday, October 31, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 31 - A Virtuous Woman

Our dear friend, Barbara, who makes the challah for us each Sabbath
Doesn't Barbara look like the perfect Proverbs 31 woman? (Kind of reminds you of Martha Stewart, right?)   She is a very good example of a what the chapter talks about. She loves the L-rd, her family, and her neighbors...plus she has her own business on top of all that.  


My favorite chapter of Proverbs ends this 31-day series.  Proverbs 31 describes a capable wife.  There is so much in this chapter, but this part is my focus for today:


ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
        she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
        on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
        not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
        her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
        but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
        but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
        let her works speak her praises at the city gates.

As a young woman in my twenties, I attended a workshop about this chapter.  All the things a wife should do for her home, husband, children, and community seemed overwhelming at first, but since that day, I have aspired to become this kind of woman.

A year ago, I lost a dear friend, who I think was the epitomy of the Proverbs 31 woman.  I still can't think of her without crying. She was a joy and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. We were kindred spirits in the desire of our hearts.  This is her quote: "I am very focused... on my home and family...children and grandchildren.  The desire of my heart is multi-generational faithfulness to G-d, that they would know Him and walk in His ways." ~clb.  The words on her grave are her legacy:



Every morning when I wake up, my husband says, "Good morning, gorgeous!"  I love that he thinks I'm beautiful, but as verse thirty says, "beauty can vanish".  I know that the most important thing is to fear ADONAI (obey Him).  My prayer is that I would be remembered, not for my beauty, but for my life lived for His glory.  Like my friend, Cheryl, I also pray for future generations to follow Him. 

 If you've never read this chapter, I pray you will study it verse by verse and think about whether or not you are doing what the verse describes. 

Next week, in my Wisdom Wednesday feature, I will do a more in-depth explanation of how the chapter can guide us in today's world. 

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

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I'm sharing this post with:
Spiritual Sundays

Let's Get Social Sunday

A Wise Woman Builds

Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts for Home
Favorite Things
 
Faith Filled Friday

2 comments:

Thank you so much for stopping by today and taking the time to leave a comment! I read each one of them and love to respond back to those who visit! Blessings to you.