Today’s Passage: “She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:22).
Today’s study of the Proverbs 31 and how we can demonstrate virtuous and godly qualities in our own lives continues with verse 22. We have studied six lessons thus far on the passages and still have several verses left. This study, even though in depth, is far from exhaustive. Many other qualities of this woman can be gleaned from the passage and mirrored in our own lives. It is absolutely amazing how profound and wise these words are and the enormity of their lessons in our lives of service to God. Only God in His great wisdom could condense into so few words a subject that can be studied for our entire lives and never be completely mastered. Such is God’s Word: simple and yet deeper than any ocean, easy to understand and yet impossible to master to perfection without any room for improvement while on our earthly journeys. What a great and awesome Creator we serve.
“She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.” This verse continues the idea of being committed by ensuring that clothing and the things that make a house a home are provided for our families. Additionally, this passage shows the dependability of a Christian woman to prepare the things that are needed by her and those in her protective care. Note that the Scripture does not state, “If she has time, she makes tapestry for herself; if she has the desire, her clothing is neat and as nice as can be afforded; if she feels like it, family needs are provided.” She makes time and she has the desire because God commands that we take time to handle the important things of life.
This verse speaks volumes to me. You may not struggle with the same things that I do, but I would imagine that all of us could become more dependable in some area of our lives. We may need to spend more time studying God’s Word or praying or allotting more time for our families’ needs and less for our own. Martha spent time cooking and serving when Jesus came over while Mary sat at His feet and listened to His words (Luke 10:38-42). Jesus wanted Martha to forget the things she could do while He was not there and enjoy His company as well as learn from His teachings while He was there. While it is true that Mary was commended for taking the time to worship and learn from Jesus, it is also important to note that Martha was not condemned for handling necessary things like cooking, serving and cleaning. Instead, it should be noted that because Jesus was in the house at the time, He was to be priority over cooking and serving. A neglect of handling these needed items when Jesus was not present was not the teaching He intended.
Christian women sometimes stress over the housework and cooking, but forget to take time to sit at the Master’s feet in personal Bible study during the day like Mary. On the other hand, we might study and make time for Bible study but neglect some of the necessary tasks like household chores, causing them to pile up and create a hectic environment when we cannot find what we need. It is difficult sometimes to maintain the healthiest balance: prioritizing our schedules so that all needs are met.
I am not a Martha, purely and simply. I have a creative mind and love to write, but unfortunately, I also have the tendency to be sidetracked by things that interest me. Perhaps you have been captivated by a sparkling crystal as you walked by a display. I am captivated by everything. If I begin a duty such as cleaning the living room and pass a magazine I have not read or a book I have been meaning to study or anything with words on it, basically, I can be sidetracked from my task. I am not militaristic by any means; instead, I am sporadic at best. This can be good for brainstorming sessions, writing poetry or devotionals and journaling but it is very detrimental to uninteresting chores like washing and folding laundry, organizing closets or keeping my side tables clutter-free. I seldom have one project going at one time; instead, I typically have no less than ten. A lack of concentration on the most important things first can quickly end in procrastination of the necessary tasks.
How can the study of the virtuous woman help me? I must prepare my mind so that I can act as God intends. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled…” I Peter 1:13. I can learn the art of being dependable. If I start something, I should focus on completing it before going on to something new. Our key passage today states that the virtuous woman makes clothing and items for her home. Unless she completes these tasks in a timely manner, she has the intention to make these items without the final product. Therefore, when winter comes, her family is not prepared because they need completed items and not ideas to keep them warm. My good intentions will not change the world around me if they are not carried through to completion.
If my home is not ready for drop-in company, how can I invite someone over “on the fly” for Bible study? If I have not frozen cooked meals for unexpected emergencies, how can I take a meal to someone who I have just learned is sick and needs a meal that very day? There are many ways in which being prepared and being dependable can make a huge difference to a lost soul. I need to be ready to take opportunities to serve God and help my fellow man by preparing ahead of time. When God needed the Israelites to move forward and take the land of Canaan, Joshua was told to tell them, “Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own” (Joshua 1:11). God told Ezekiel, “Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them” (Ezekiel 38:7). I do not have God’s specific plan for my life spoken to me directly; therefore, my supplies must always be ready for a moment’s notice to do His work. As Joshua and Ezekiel prepared the people to be ready when God called for them to act, I also must be ready to act.
Furthermore, being prepared means that I can devote more time to the task at hand. I have often regretted not laying out my business suit or dress, shoes, jewelry and other important items the night before so that I would not be rushed to get ready for work or services. It’s amazing how jewelry, hosiery, keys and shoes can walk around and hide themselves when you need them. If I have my Bible and class book ready, my lesson already prepared (whether I am the teacher or the student) and clothing, keys and sunglasses in one place, I can leave a few minutes early for services, be calm when I arrive and greet others with a smile. The teacher will have an easier job if her students have prepared because we can discuss the things that we learned or answer questions. Peace is the order of the day if we are prepared as opposed to running around scatter-brained and frantic like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland because we cannot locate our car keys or Bible or one of our child’s shoes.
In what ways should we be prepared? In addition to having our homes ready for drop-ins, we should be ready to teach others. The only way to be prepared to teach others is for us to have spent time in study and prayer, devoting ourselves to learning the gospel and memorizing where key verses are found. We must be ready because Christ depends on us to spread His gospel of love and salvation to those dying in sin around us. Opportunities can be lost if we are not prepared to answer questions from the Bible. Our opinions or hazy memories of a sermon on the subject do not count. It is far more convincing for us to read Romans 6:4 to someone, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life”, than to say that “somewhere in the Bible it says we’re supposed to be baptized” or “my preacher says to be baptized”. The power of the gospel is in the gospel itself and not our own argumentative style. Therefore, we must be prepared by knowing where this and other passages are located so that the other party in the discussion can read it for themselves.
We should also pray to God for wisdom to understand and apply the knowledge we uncover in our studies. God’s help through prayer is an often overlooked power, yet it should be our first thought when preparing for leading others to Christ and strengthening our weaknesses. It is not possible to be prepared for action if we have not prayed. Let us review the Scripture above that we must prepare our minds for action (I Peter 1:13). How can we prepare our minds for action without seeking God’s help? “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2) should cause us to consider how important it is to pray that our preparation is adequate, our motives are pure and our actions are in accordance with God’s will.
I have been working on a key Scripture bookmark that notes the passages regarding salvation and living a faithful life to have available at times when my memory fails me, but nothing can substitute for memorization and the ability to locate passages if my handy bookmark is not available. I wonder, how can I lead others to make the right decision to be saved if I have not taken the time to learn the passages myself? I spent many years in school preparing for degrees and taking tests to prove that I had gained knowledge of the courses. Am I as willing to spend as much and even more time studying and learning God’s Word so that I will be able to teach others and myself pass the greatest test on Judgment Day?
And finally, we must put into action our study. All of the preparation in the world will not help if we are not “ready to do whatever is good” Titus 3:1-3. This means being ready to step out of our comfort zone and being willing to change our schedules in order to take advantage of an opportunity to help someone. Preparation is necessary but action must follow. Christ prepared the apostles to carry on His work after He ascended into heaven. Jesus required them to be willing to stand up for the truth and put into action the things He had taught them. He put His trust in humans to spread the gospel. Can He put this same trust in me?
We were given the greatest gift we could ever receive: salvation through Jesus Christ. Our Savior stood up against the power of darkness, as it used its greatest weapons of betrayal and torment in an attempt to defeat Him, in order that He might save guilty mankind from eternal death. Am I willing to stand up for Him by learning His Word and speaking its truth to others?
Let us end with Paul’s instructions to Timothy. All Christians are required to do the same, whether it is publicly or privately to those with whom we come in contact. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” II Timothy 4:1-3.
God bless us as we study His Word!
