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| Vermeer's Milk Maid |
The Wife of Noble Character
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like merchant ships
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and she grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Every morning, after the men leave for work and before the littles wake, I spend time in my bible. I read two chapters of wherever I happen to be at the moment and I read whichever Proverbs lines up with the day. Today, being the 7th of the month, I read Proverbs Chapter 7.
As I was reading Proverbs 31 on the last day of 2014, I was reminded again that it is the Proverbs 31 woman that I endeavor to emulate. She is the wife, mother and woman that can and will see her family through the darkest of days with grace, humility and complete confidence. Her faith is securely anchored in God and she lives her life in accordance with His wisdom. Her way is secure.
One of the first things that I notice about the Proverbs 31 woman is that she is rare. There are a lot of women in this world. A lot of pretty faces. But, the woman that embodies these qualities, the woman that you would willingly walk through the end of the world with, is very rare indeed. In fact, her rarity makes her worth far more than the most precious jewel. When you consider that, you might also consider the fact that this woman is very hard to find. Just as rubies require significant effort to unearth, so a noble woman will have to be earnestly sought and won. Yet she will be worth every effort. She will be the woman by your side, preparing your house to weather the most ferocious storm. She will train your arrows to be sure and true. She will bring every good thing within your grasp and fill your home with joy and mirth.
Men, if you want a woman to walk by your side during TEOTWAWKI, find a Proverbs 31 woman. Women, become the Proverbs 31 woman. Seek God. Build character. Acquire the skills to run a self-sufficient household. Prepare for the storm then laugh at the days to come.
