Are you a Proverbs 31 woman?

Who hasn't heard of the Proverbs 31 woman?

Yes, if you were raised in the church, you probably heard of this passage. But what does it mean? Does it mean we need to be JUST like this woman or do we just need to strive to be the woman described here? There are many many many books and articles on the topic but I feel that God wants me to personally focus on this passage and see what it means to ME.

Therefore, over the next few weeks I will be taking a verse and giving you my take on it. Well I guess it isn't my take, but what God wants me to hear from it! So sit back and enjoy...because heeerrreee weeee goooooo (yes, that was from Little Einsteins.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Some notes about the passage as a whole first....

1. This is NOT what is expected of us but what we are to strive for. It is impossible (as a human who sins) to become this woman. God gives us this as an example of the "perfect" woman. As Pastor John MacArthur said in a his sermon, "Now this is an ideal, this is a model. This doesn't describe some particular woman, this describes the ideal woman."

2. I, personally, will be exploring this passage as a young mother who would like to be a called a homemaker. Not a housewife...but a homemaker. A place where I make a HOME for my family. This passage can be translated a NUMBER of ways and if you are not a homemaker, feel free to add your 2 cents as to what it might mean to you.

3. I am no perfect. Nope, not me, not ever. So I may not be accurate all the time. I am praying that God will guide me through this journey. Again, feel free to challenge my interpretations...I am a big girl, I can handle it!

4. I will try my best to list all of my resources but some of my ideas will probably come from a vast amount of resources I come across. Know that the FIRST and FOREMOST resource is the BIBLE. The NIV version of the Bible and from what God speaks to my heart.

Enjoy...