Proverbs 31 - The Big Picture

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 Have you ever considered the writer of Proverbs 31?  While we know that King Solomon wrote it, we also know that he was writing the things that he mother taught him concerning the wife that he should marry.   So, who was this mother of his?

I love the fact that she was none other than Bathsheba herself!  Not a very good track record when it comes to being "virtuous".  For the most part, no one thinks well of her.  But, I've come to the opinion that we should! 

Everyone makes mistakes; and guess what?  God still uses us!  God doesn't put us aside in disgust.  He loves us back to Himself!  Romans 2:4 ...not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?  Don't you find it wonderfully ironic that God would use a "not-so-virtuous" woman to teach us all what is expected of a virtuous woman?  Makes me think there may still be hope for me! 

It is important to remember that Proverbs 31 is NOT a list of the virtuous woman's daily activities.  It is a summary of her entire life.  There were seasons to her life, just as there are seasons to ours.

God doesn't expect us to buy a field, make and deliver girdles, plant a vineyard and do all of your housework in one day.  Or, even a week!  There's so much involved in all of this that she wouldn't have been able to accomplish it all at the same time.  How can you plant a vineyard and tend to it all while you're having babies, making fine linen and girdles...and all the other things listed there??   It's humanly impossible!  {Not to mention she would not have had any of our modern conveniences.}  Psalm 103:14 For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.  

Practicle Application:
What life season are you in now?  Newly married?  No children?  Young children?  Older children?  Empty nesters?  Grandparents?  Do you have extra money?  Extra time?  There are so many life seasons.  

Consider your circumstances and don't stretch yourself too thin.  If you have small children, you need to take care of them before you worry about making money or providing for others outside your family.  God gives us our children to care for, and while it's a good thing to be hospitable and care for others in need, our husbands and children must come first to us.  If we take too much on ourselves at a time, we may not get anything done as well as we should.   Sometimes it's best to drop a few of the less important things so we can focus on the most important things!  Proverbs 29:15 ...a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  Don't leave your children alone while you're out trying to be a spiritual mentor to someone else!

If your kids are a bit older, you can let them help you.  They can learn to make meals for sick people, clean a house for a shut-in, or entertain people in your home.  They can learn by watching and helping you.  They can also help you in the garden ~ saving your husband money.  They can learn to run a home business ~ making money from home and learning to save money.  Really, they can, and should, learn to do anything you can do.  They will be where you are one day, and they will need to know these things.  Train them as you go, and you'll be thrilled at the help they become! 

If your kids are all grown up, you probably have more time to do more of these things.  Decide what you like to do.  Figure out what you're good at, if you don't know already.  And, then, go for it!  You never know 'till you try!  Ask God for His blessing and let Him open the doors! 

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