October 31, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 31
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today's Pathway:
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"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:27

Today's verse is a good summation of the preceding verses in this chapter that describe the characteristics of the virtuous woman. There are two points mentioned here that we should notice.

First, the virtuous woman looks after her household. In our modern society we see that women have been encouraged to leave their households in pursuit of a career. Women have been told that they can not really "find fulfillment" if their primary goal and responsibility is the care of their husband and children. In addition, many families have adopted a materialistic philosophy that requires them to put the wife into the workforce so that they can have all the toys and trinkets that they want. If a woman is gone from home for eight to ten hours each day, she will probably find it difficult to look to the ways of her household, and it may be almost impossible for her to do it "well", as the virtuous woman does. The virtuous woman provides for her husband and children. She does not pay someone else to do it, nor does she make them take care of themselves because of her voluntary absence. Obviously, there may be times when extenuating circumstances may force a wife or mother to work outside the home. However, she must still do her best to look well after her household, for that is her primary human obligation.

On the other side of the coin, the virtuous woman is not idle. A woman can choose not to work outside the home, and yet still not be a virtuous woman because she is choosing not to work at home either!. She should not waste her time, but rather use it to take care of the things that her family needs.

The virtuous woman invests her time and effort into her family members. Outside of her relationship with the Lord, they are the ones who matter the most.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery