Proverbs 31:15

Here is the next devotion in the Virtuous Woman series. I hope this and previous posts have been a blessing to you, and that they have helped in some way. I don't know that it is possible to ever achieve the Virtuous Woman in its entirety. However, through the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, through trials, finding our weaknesses, and learning from our mistakes over the years, we can become the woman that God desires and whom our husband desires.

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

This is a difficult verse for me to teach to others, because I don’t live it myself at this point in my life. There was a time earlier in our marriage that I did wake early to make breakfast for my husband, and pack his lunch, at 3:30 a.m. so he could be at work at 5 a.m.

At first, in studying this verse, I tried to pick verses such as Psalm 127:2...It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Nevertheless, the virtuous woman rose early.

Her example is basically:

-Not lazy, but a hard worker. She was industrious.

-Not wasteful of her time. Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Satan will use many things, if we allow him, to steal our time doing unproductive things.

-Not selfish. The verse doesn’t say anything about when she had her meal, but served her family and maidens first. She put her family before herself. Meal times as a family are special. When we were first married, we ate meals on TV trays in front of the TV. We realized we had no communication between us, so we began eating together at the dining room table. It’s a great time to catch up on events of the day.

I cannot picture the virtuous woman doing the following:

-Watching soap operas and eating bonbons, or shows like Oprah...or TV in general.

-Playing computer games all day.

-Reading romance novels filled with ungodly lust.

-Talking on the phone for hours. If I call my friend from Missouri, Tammy, we usually talk for an hour or so, but I try to continue working at the same time.

-Gossiping. Gossip is not just necessarily talking about negative things about other people. It can be just telling information about someone that the other person does not need to know. Many people (Christians) use the excuse of prayer to tell others private information...”Pray for _____, she has really been going through it....” 1 Timothy 5:13,14 “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

The Bible says: Phillippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Virtue: a voluntary desire for, and obedience to, TRUTH.

Our home reflects our attitude, what we think about, and what we do with our time. Those things will also reflect in our children.

So what did she do with her time? Verses following speak of her making things, such as clothing for her household, and fine linen and girdles, and selling them to the merchant. She had her own business.

Examples of women in the Bible that were industrious:

*Tabitha(Dorcas)-a widow that made coats and garments. Acts 9:36-42

*Lydia, seller of purple. Acts 16:14-15

*(Aquila and) Priscilla were tentmakers: Acts 18:2-3 She helped her husband.

I do not believe, though, that the virtuous woman had a business that required forsaking her children or husband. I believe that Lydia, if she had children(the Bible doesn’t say, but does speak of ‘her household’), that she would have taken them with her. I doubt she would have left them with another lady to go make money. They are our first ministry. Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

What are some things a wife can do to help make money and yet not forsake her first ministry?

Some examples are:

Make food and sell it, sew for others, clean houses, babysit, help teach others’ children.

Other ideas: make crafts to sell at holiday bazaars, take clothes to consignment stores to sell, have a bake sale, have a yard sale.

Sometimes doing nothing can also be a good thing. An example of this is sitting on the yard swing with your husband and enjoying a cup of coffee/cappuccino together, or snuggling on the couch after lunch. Video games, computer games, or a movie may be a fun way to spend a little bit of time with your children. There should be a BALANCE of these things, though. Again, our home reflects what we do with our time, and those things will also reflect in our children.

She arose early! UGH!!

Most people enjoy reading their Bibles in the morning. Personally, I prefer to at night, but that does not always work out, and my mind is usually on what I’m making for breakfast or the laundry that needs to be done, etc. However, Proverbs 8:17 says: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. And also, Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Since the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 had an organized, successful, and productive life, she must have gotten up very early and spent time with the Lord in prayer, in the quiet of her home before the family arose.

Christ arose early on the third day, after paying the penalty for MY sin on the cross and then by descending into the pit of hell for three days. I should desire to get up early each morning to thank Him for what He did for me. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Not to make excuses for myself, but to acknowledge that I’m far from perfect, and far from being the virtuous woman in the Bible. Whether it is because of health reasons, because I am not a morning person, or simply to avoid facing my daily responsibilities, I struggle with this verse in my life. Some people excel in areas that others do not. We may never achieve the “perfect virtuous woman”, but we should try. God wants to spend time with us, so we should take the time to spend some with Him. Even if we do not begin our day with Him, He should be on our minds throughout the day as we work.

The life we are living is the life we are teaching.

GOD'S WORD WORKS!!