Posted on 03/30/2021 10:25:21 PM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard” (Proverbs 31:13-16).
In verse 10, we saw her principles. In verse 11, her prudence. In verse 12, her persistence. Now, in verse 13, we see her positive attitude.
That “flax” is a delicate blue flowers and seeds that make linseed oil, and the fibers of the stem are spun into linen thread. But notice, it says “she worketh it willingly with her hands.” In Genesis 3:16, God said that her desire shall be to thy husband, so she works willingly for her husband and her home.
In verse 14, we see her provisions, “she is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”
What is a merchant ship? Well, one thing about a merchant ship it operates many times in storms all day and yet it continues on doing what it's supposed to do. Another thing about a merchant ship is it carries great wealth. It depends upon the stars of heaven sometimes for navigation, in other words, this woman is a praying woman. Another thing about it is that very seldom do you see the merchant ships resting. Very seldom do you see the merchant ship keeping anything for itself. It delivers the cargo to somebody else, for somebody else’s good.
The positive attitude of this virtuous woman for provision makes her a wonderful helpmeet for her husband. And we see her preparation in verse 15, “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
The Bible says Luke 12:42 that that makes her “a faithful steward.” I don't know what kind of steward you are, but a faithful steward is one that learns to control themselves and to get up and get things going. The Lord said, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” (Luke 12:42).
This woman rises up early, gives her meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. That portion is described in Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Notice also her purchasing in verse 16, “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” She sees a good field, and since her husband trusts her with the checkbook, and trusts her with the money, he knows that she's very prudent about those things and not a spendthrift. She sees something that would be a good buy and would produce good fruit, so she considers the field and buys. One commentator thought she was a real estate agent on the side. I don't think that's what it's saying, the passage doesn't say anything about her selling it; just says that she bought it, and then with the fruit of her hands, she planted vineyards. The fruit of her hands would be seedlings, sprouts and seeds that she herself had grown.
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
For more books on all topics of the Bible, visit my web site at:
BAPTIST BIBLE BELIEVERS WEBSITE
An excellent wife, who can find?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.