Serving
In the beginning of time God created man first and woman second. God sent woman to be a " helper " as it says in Genesis 2:22. We are to serve. Proverbs 31:13, " She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight." This woman "works with her hands in delight", she doesn't complain about her work but she understands that God gave her the job to serve; serve her family, friends, Jesus. Proverbs 31:27, "She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." She takes care of her home and looks well to it. Proverbs 31:31, "Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." I love this one especially because it's saying that she works and serves her best, so she will be given the same product of her work that she has given others. Her works will praise her in the gates, she will be rewarded in heaven.
Vanity
Proverbs 31:22, "She makes coverings for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple." She presents herself modestly in her best clothing. Proverbs 31:25, "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future." Again, talking about her clothing, she spiritually wears strength and dignity and she is confident. She smiles at the future, or, in the NIV, "she can laugh at the days to come". She believes that she has a future, she knows that she has identity. She is brave, confident, beautiful. Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised." This time, no specific woman is being mentioned. It is just saying that we need to be careful when we look at a woman and think that she is beautiful, but don't take the time to see where her heart is with Jesus. You see, being beautiful and done up will not last forever. Check your heart before you compare yourself to others. Maybe you are ON FIRE for Jesus and you don't know how beautiful that can look to some people. But at the end of it all, Jesus says you are PRICELESS!
The proverbs 31 woman is a wonderful example that we need to be reminded of daily. Her confidence, strength, beauty, humility, her heart to serve... not to make us feel condemned, or discouraged when we mess up, but to show us that is our job and our calling. We are all the proverbs 31 women, we have it in us! Now we need to ask God to give us the strength and patience to become who God wants us to be. Are you ready?
