Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Proverbs 31 woman - Day 9 WARNING - Long
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I know I mentioned a 'word study' of sorts concerning these next several verses, but I really don't see how to do it with the version "The Message". So.....if you will excuse and bear with me, I am using my old study for the KJV as the Word Study today. I thought it would be interesting to see how it 'compares'. Here are my old notes, new comments will be underneath those. ***21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. Scarlet – of the firmest of dyes – not easily washed out Our paraphrase: She has no fear of cold or winter, her whole family wears clothing of scarlet. I think this is another passage that points to the care that this woman had for others, in this instance, her own family. Easton's Bible Dictionary states that snow can be seen year round on the mountains of Lebanon, and it must have been a fearful thing to think of being stranded there and not properly dressed. Since scarlet was a firm dye, and with what I know about textiles, it would seem you would need to use a pretty sturdy cloth, such as wool, for the dye to “set”. I find it interesting that in Isaiah 1:18, we see, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”, and that the dye scarlet was very difficult to wash out. Yet Jesus has taken our sins, and in one selfless act, washed them away and made them as white as snow. I am not a Bible scholar or theologian of any kind, yet I think this analogy must have something to do with, once again, this womans unselfish acts, of caring for her family first and foremost. It certainly puts me under conviction about what I put first in my life. 22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Tapestry – a spread or coverlet Clothing – garment, apparel, raiment Silk – damask:silk cloth manufactured in Damascus In Proverbs, silk should be fine linen, bleached white Purple – red-purple Our paraphrse: She makes her own bedcoverings and her clothing is made from the finest material around. I have always known how to sew. I have a sewing machine. For years I worked in the “professional” field, and bought my clothes whenever I needed them. I thought this was a sign of success. Upon reading this passage, I am humbled to realize that the finest clothing I can array myself with, would come from my own hands. I also find it curious to see that she made her own bedcoverings. Maybe the women back in poineer times with all their quilts were true Proverbs 31 women and didn’t even know it, or maybe they did, and we need to use them as examples. Just last night, my husband was talking about when I was making some certain project, and he said, “Isn’t that when you were making that quilt for me out of those little tiny squares?” I truly believe, after speaking with many women, and hearing comments from different people, that my husband absolutely loves it when he sees me working on something “domestic”. A few years ago, a friend and I attempted to start a “ladies needlework club”. We met on Friday afternoons and brought our handwork and had “tea” in real china cups with little snacks. My friend found an article in a needlework magazine. I will quote the first paragraph :” There was perhaps, no sight so endearing to a Victorian husband as that of his wife at her needlework……….she became the embodiment of all the feminine virtues middle-class Victorians expected from the “angel of the house:” domesticity, delicacy and, not least of all, patience." We called ourselves the “Angels of Fancywork”, and met for several months, but could not get anyone else interested in our “pursuit of domesticity”. I hate to belabor a point, but something at the end of that quote struck me. The word patience. Maybe I am living in such a time where I do not want to take the time or have the patience it takes to make something for myself……..when it is just as easy to go to the store and buy it. But as I stated in an earlier verse, most people I have come in contact with would rather have something homemade, which I made with my own two hands, which directly relates to what I said about verse 21, that when we use both our hands, it takes more time, thus making it a more selfless gift. Today’s “instant society” would have me believe that I am wasting my time with the “home arts”. Flashy ads tell me to get a credit card, buy now, pay later, use it once and throw it away. I wonder why no one appreciates my instant potatoes, microwave salisbury steaks, frozen vegetables, store bought from the deli apple pie, paper napkins, paper plates and can of soda for dinner, but I believe I would be more appreciated (and have a sense of satisfaction from that) if I spent more time on dinner preparations, like the Proverbs 31 woman did in verse 14, I would be more appreciated and feel more satisfied. But unfortunately, even the Christian woman in a good church has fallen for the devil’s lies. I need to get my priorities in order in light of the Bible, not the world. I think, if I listen to my husband, and get out that quilt that I know I started at least 5 years ago, that he would have much the same reaction as the Victorian husband of old. And I want my husband to be proud of what I do…..although the most lasting benefit I receive is the satisfaction I get from knowing I made the item in question. I spent far too much time seeking my sense of satisfaction outside the home, when all I needed to do was get the needles or material our and spend some time making something for someone else, or even myself. I know there will always be the woman who has to work, but ladies, I need to make sure I’m not just looking for a better sense of satisfaction. I also need to make sure I am not listening to the world’s sense of logic and the way the world does things. I need to only use my Bible, and what my husband says as my guide. 23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Gates- heaven or entrance of a marketplace, public meeting place, city, town, palace or temple Sitteth – abides, tarries, continues Elders – old, elder (of those having authority), senators Land – country, territory Our paraphrase: Her hubby was well known, had a good reputation at the entering in places of importance when he tarried with those in authority in the country. WOW…….how well is my husband known at our church, or even at the bank? That one got me right there…..The “gates” were references to places of importance and I thought almost immediately of a bank. Why? Because too many times, I have caused my husband to have to have a bounced check, or a late payment because of my selfishness. In fact, the above verse just says, “he is known in the gates”, but how is he known. In a positive or negative way? Will we be able to go back to that lending institution if we desire to purchase another home? Or will our credit be a mess, is that how my husband is known there? What do the people think of my husband where I go to church? I would hope that they hold him in “high esteem”, or have the negative things I’ve said about my husband, even in jest, broken down anyones opinion of him? Ladies, husbands are known by their families and especially their wives. I truly only want the best for my husband in our local church, but will people think of him negatively or positively? I remember one class I had at Bible college. The teacher used this verse to emphasize the fact that we need to brag on our husbands every chance we get. She said even if the only thing good we can say about him on any given day, is that he chews with his mouth closed, then we need to creatively make that the most special thing anyone has ever done. “My husband is just SO sweet, why, he treats me like a queen when we eat”, (meaning he wouldn’t eat like a slob in front of royalty). I have learned also that one way of not sounding insincere is by not saying anything at all. In fact, I was raised on the principal of, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” I need to learn to build up my husband every chance I get, because there are already people out there trying to tear him down. And important people may be listening to whatever it is I am saying, which may have a bearing on how “the elders of the land” or people in authority may react to him. 24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Delivereth – sells Merchant – to migrate, traveller – did their trade by bartering Our parapharase: She makes cloth (by spinning, v. 19) and sells it. She also sells the money belts she makes to travelling salespeople, who then sell it abroad. Here is yet another instance of this woman making not only useful items, but selling them in a creative way, allowing her to be home and take care of her duties there. And she does this by making the cloth herself, once again a very frugal and thrifty way to be. 25. Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. Time to come – days following, hindermost, furthest away Strength – power Honor – glory, majesty, honor, beauty, excellency Rejoice – play, laugh, merry Our paraphrase: Power, glory and beauty are her garments and she shall laugh and play in the last days of her life. Wow, I just think of this verse and I get goosebumps. What I get out of this, is that even though is seems like this woman does absolutely nothing for herself on a day to day basis, look at what her clothing is as she goes through those days, and what she is promised in the “hindermost” part of her life. It reminds me of Palm 126:6 “He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Upon inspection of this verse, it means very nearly the same thing as Pro.31.26. I think of today’s society and the women who “want it all”, and they want it right now! BUT....they spend years getting an education and thousands of dollars climbing the corporate ladder, then stop in their mid-thirties when they feel their biological clock ticking away, and “quit” to have a family. To me is seems like they are taking a job away from a man who might really need that career to support his family….but I know I will be criticized for that view. Just a few days ago, I read an article about women in corporate positions, especially in the “fashion” industry, who are hanging up their Nine West pumps and Chanel suits and exchanging them for jeans, t-shirts, sneakers and low-keyed positions in less “trendy” positions. This article stated that these women literally spent thousands just on their hair, in order to maintain a certain image……sort of a keeping up with the “Joni’s” (vs. the Jone's). I just read an article yesterday in Time magazine, that quotes a clerk at one of the trendiest, most expensive stores in New York. She was asked the question: what type of clients does this store cater to? The answer, “International women, women with rich husbands or boyfriends, and prostitutes.” One woman had spent $4,975 on a pair of jeans “with holes cut out from the ankles to the waist”…….can you imagine how many missionaries could be supported with that much money? Someone, somewhere (Hollywood, perhaps) has made it acceptable for wealthy women to dress like ladies of ill repute…..the opening sentence of this editorial was: “I can’t tell the difference between rich women and white trash.:…and the only way I can infer class is by the size of the dog they’re walking.” That certainly doesn’t sound like someone who is “clothed in strength and honor”, and I’m wondering what she will be doing in “time to come.” Wealth used to presuppose the ability to get the “finer things in life”…why in the world are these women submitting themselves to the fashion schemes of the devil? I compare that lifestyle with that of the Proverbs 31 woman. This Manhattan career woman exchanged beautiful clothing for tatterted garments……wow, what a contrast to this verse. Being selfless and working hard clothes me in a beauty that cannot be bought.*** Ok, those are thoughts of mine from SIX years ago.....but I stand by them still today. THAT was refreshing! So let's take these verses from "The Message". "She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers, She designs gowns and sells them, brings sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well made and elegant , and she always faces tomorrow with a smile." Again, she makes sure her family's winter clothes are mended and warm. I'm sure if you live in Hawaii or Africa, this could mean just keeping the clothes in good repair. And there's that "makes her own clothes" thing. I'm wondering if there were other ways to obtain clothing back then? Like dress shops, etc? Could you pay someone ELSE to make your clothes for you? I'm sure there was. BUT, it seems to me if it's in here, that it's more "honorable" or respected or something if you do it yourself?? Then there's that whole husband thing again. Ditto from 6 years ago. ANOTHER verse that states my clothes are well made and ELEGANT?? Do jeans and a sweatshirt qualify? I hope so......I really DO need to work on how I dress for my family, especially my husband. He sees women at work that certainly dress better than I do. I 'dress up' whenever I leave the house for whatever reason, makeup and all....I should probably pay more attention to that. And there's that 'faces tomorrow with a smile' thing. Probably a reflection of not only how she views life and what she accomplished, but how she views herself. Maybe the psychologists of this day should take THAT apart and analyze it. Seems being unselfish and taking care of oneself goes hand in hand AND goes a long way to ward off not only depression but probably keeps hubby happy at home too!!! YEARS of therapy in just a few verses, eh? Sorry this was so long. I probably should have split it up. Denise aka The Domestic Angel |
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