Today's Reading: Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
So if you’ve been following along with me since the beginning you have probably seen that this good book seems to have an answer for pretty much everything.
No wonder it’s been around for a couple thousand years or so.
And here is yet another example.
Fellas, if you have ever wanted to know what kind of woman you should go after here is the blueprint.
Ladies, if you have ever wondered what kind of woman attracts the kind of man that the Bible says the fellas should be… take a look.
She seems almost impossible; like a mix between our mythical idea of Michelle Obama and Clair Huxtable from the Cosby Show. I mean really, who can live up to that?
(Yes I am aware that there is literature on how the role of Clair has affected how men and women relate to each other in some negative ways... but I digress.)
The thing that I love about this passage is that it isn’t about being able to be this "perfect" person. This passage, just like many of the others, is about what we are shooting for. Who do we want to become? Which examples do we choose to follow?
So, take a look at this description of the ideal woman… what do y’all think?
Ladies… is this even relevant for today?
Fellas…. Is this the kind of woman that you want? If so… do you think she wants YOU?! *rhetorical question/food for thought/Let’s step our game up*
Enjoy
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
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 night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
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 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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 night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
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 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Raises hand for this type of woman: I do have some way to go to be truly ready for this type, but dang it if I'm not giving it my all. I've actually always loved this female 'ideal' because it gives me the sense the Bible's understanding of the role of a women was not completely restricted to the time it was written and, the fact that she's universally appealing(from a man's perspective, I know that even the biggest douche bag would notice her). I believe her role is relevant today because she's so multifaceted, in ways women were not accepted just a couple of decades ago and in some places even today.In v.16-19 and v.24 it asserts that she knows how to invest, handle money, work with her hands, and even has a sense of entrepreneurship. Thinking about this being written in antiquity, I'm like woah. v26 and v30 continue to take on greater meaning in my life because there is NOTHING like having a woman with wisdom in your life who has a relationship with God, it's a benefit to your life in every way that far outweighs flirtatiousness and good looks. Because out of all the qualities there are in the opposite sex, overtime, looks are going to be the only one guaranteed to diminish.
ReplyDeleteI heard a song earlier that made me think of this post: "One rarely finds a lady that happens to be three times a lady, God is good, but he took his time when he designed you baby. That's why I want you. I'll even quit my job, loving you I'll make IT my job. Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord this is IT my God! That's why I want you...."- Cee Lo, "I Want You"
ReplyDeleteKof - she won't arrive when you're ready. God will just send her to you. Just be ready to receive and appreciate her when she does. From there everything else will fall into place.
ReplyDeleteLove to "see" Black men so open to love. That's a good, no great, look! :-)
"when "(s)he" does". Guess I'm feeling the power of God's feminine side.;-)
ReplyDelete@ Alegria. I appreciate the wise and positive words!
ReplyDelete