|PROVERBS 31: Hidden Gems|
By Tracy Chia: Becoming Esther Philippines
The 31st chapter of the Book of Proverbs is one of the widest known passages in the Bible that defines what a woman of God is like. It gives at least 21 scriptures describing her character. But how many of those scriptures do we really understand? I knew that there's something more behind the phrases 'she seeketh wool, and flax' and 'she lays her hands on the spindle and her hands hold the distaff.' I knew there's a precious treasure of knowledge hidden in every scripture of this chapter that only the Holy Spirit can reveal. This has been the case for me for many years. Well, praise God! After continuously seeking God for answers in this, He gave me a greater revelation of what a virtuous woman is through the Holy Spirit who teaches me each day how to be like she whose law is virtue and the fear of God.
THE DEFINITION:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
~This is the woman whose price is far above rubies because she knows the value of her body, heart, and spirit and preserves herself to make sure she is to become a spotless bride of Christ and a precious crown her husband will proudly wear. She purifies herself in the Word of God daily so that she'll become more and more wholesome in virtue and righteousness, as jewels and stones are purified to let their radiance and glow show more. She knows she is not to easily give-in to any man who'll try to buy her or seduce her because she is waiting for that man of God whom God Himself will give her to as precious and priceless gift. Most of all, she protects herself from all that can harm her naturally, emotionally, and spiritually because she knows the price she was bought for by the Lord Jesus Christ so that she can become His pure and spotless bride on that Day that is to come.
HER DESCRIPTION & EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE:
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
~She is trustworthy and loyal to Christ before marriage, and to her husband & Christ after marriage. She makes him and the Lord feel that she would love no one and no other thing greater. She honors her covenant with the Lord and covenant in marriage, therefore this always wins the trust of the husband and the heart of God.
Abigail, loved her first husband and was loyal to him to the end, yet she also showed loyalty to God by honoring David as the King who represents God's authority. This won the heart of David eventually and made her his wife.
(1 Samuel 25)
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
~She loves her husband as she would show her love to the Lord and treats him as she would treat the Lord in person. She's committed to do this unto him all the days of her life because she is committed in her relationship with the Lord, as well.
(Ruth, from the very start showed kindness and humility to Boaz because her heart is dedicated to her newly found God, which is the Lord Almighty. Because of her great love for God, this reflected in her actions, character, and life and this made her stand out from others and eventually pursuaded the heart of Boaz to make her his wife.)
(The Book of Ruth)
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
~Whatever she does, she does with a willing heart. She serves willingly, obeys willingly, gives willingly, and loves willingly.
The widow with 2 mites, despite of her lack in life, willingly gave all of that she had in her pocket just to show the Lord how much He means to her. She didn't give out of obligation and pride but out of her huuble and pure love for the Lord. Therefore, the Lord knows that she didn't jsut give all of her money but all of her heart.
(Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
~She is a diligent seeker of the Lord, and of whatever she purposed in her heart to seek to bless Him and others. It doesn't matter where it takes her or what it costs her, the important thing for her is that she finds Him in His presence, and in return she'll be able to share to others by what she has found in the Lord.
Hannah, sought the Lord for a son, and promised to bless the Lord back if He blesses her. Because the Lord saw that she's seeking Him with her whole heart, He blessed her in time with what she was asking for.
(1 Samuel 1-2:21)
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
~She is disciplined in herself to do whatever tasks she's appointed to because she is a disciple of the Lord. She knows her calling in life, her duties, and responsibilities in the Lord and she's committed to fulfill all of them so that she can be a blessing, not only to the Lord, but to others as well.
Priscilla, being discipled by the Lord, knew in her heart that she had a calling with her husband, Aquila, to serve and minister unto others about the Gospel that they had been taught of Him. Therefore she and her husband, out of their own efforts and desire, set up their own church to gather the people who also believe in the Lord so that altogether they can learn more about Him and worship Him.
(Acts 18; Romans 16:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19)
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
~Once she has found the Lord and His Kingdom, she never stops growing in Him. To bear fruit in the Lord is her daily goal because she knows that those fruits are the treasures she sows in Heaven that will remain forever.
Mary, the sister of Martha, chose to sit at the feet of Jesus because she knows that being around Him and hearing His Words of life are the things that will cause her to grow in her faith. She knows this is the more needful thing to do in order for her to bear fruit rather than being busy with other works that the Lord doesn't require. And because she took a stand to what she believes is more pleasing in the Lord's sight, He commended her highly for this and said what she has chosen and have found being around His presence will not be taken away from her.
(Luke 10:38-42)
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
~She purposely strengthens herself in the Lord like a soldier in His army and doesn't allow the enemy to defeat her. She wears the armor of God that will help her protect herself from the enemy. She knows that all the battles that she faces are the Lord's.
(Deborah was filled with wisdom and courage because she always sought God in prayer. She knows how to fight (spiritually) because she trusted in the One where her help and strength comes from. She always allow the Lord to lead her and guide her, therefore, she faced a lot of victory in her life.)
(Judges 4)
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
~She has confidence in Christ because she continues in well doing. She never stops doing what pleases Him even when nobody is around and it doesn't matter what state she's in, how much she's got, or what will others think of her. She will just keep doing what's good and pleasing in His sight because she knows that her reward will come from God.
Lydia found God once and never let go of her faith towards Him. She started by hearing and doing the Word spoken of the apostles, and because of her faithfulness to obey God in this way, she bore fruit by making all of her household become saved. But she never stopped here. She eventually found ways to keep serving God by offering the apostles a place to stay whenever they come by the city. She purposed in her heart to keep growing spirtually all the days of her life.
(Acts 15:12-15, 40; Philippians 1:1-10)
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.
~She works hard to serve and bless others, especially the needy because she knows that whatever she does to others, she also does to Christ. She shows the heart that Jesus had for the poor, hungry, and needy in life when He was here on Earth.
Tabitha/Dorcas, who's known to be filled with good works and give alms to the poor, lived her life having the heart of the Lord full of kindness and compassion. That's why when she passed away, the many people who mourned for her shows that she was able to touch a lot of people's hearts and lives when she was still alive. They mourned for her death because it's a great loss to them losing someone who's portraying the life and example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Acts 9:36-42)
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
~She keeps herself and her family secured in God whatever they go through in life and most especially to make sure they are all waiting for the Lord's coming. She diligently teaches her children (or siblings) to fear God, and she dwells with her God-fearing husband (or parents in the Lord) in the fear of God because she knows this is the very thing that will prepare all of them to face the Lord one day.
The 5 wise virgins made sure they will be ready when the groom comes. This shows where their hearts are and what their greatest desire is, and that is only to be with the one they've been waitin for, the bridegroom, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 25:1-13)
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
~She covers herself, her body particularly, and doesn't flaunts it. She dresses herself in a way that portrays how much she values & respects her precious body which is the temple of the Holy Ghost. This kind of woman shows that her priority is not to look 'sexy & beautiful' in the sight of men but to look 'pure & holy' before God.
1 Timothy 2 woman, who will adorn herself with modesty and purity, and not as wordly women do who pay too much attention to their hair, make-up, and clothing rather than the character of their heart. This woman knows that God cares more for her heart more than her outward looks.
(1 Timothy 2:9-10)
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
~To the married women, this is the woman who makes her husband proud because of her purity, virtue, and love for God. Not only does she makes him proud, but she makes him known to others to have received a precious and priceless gift from God.
(Sarah, who was described in the Bible as one who trusted in God and obeyed her husband in full subjection, surely made Abraham proud to have her in life as a wife whose behavior towards God and towards her husband has been commended highly by the Lord Himself in His Word.
-To those that are unmarried, your husband is considered to be Christ. And as you love Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will reflect in your life Jesus Christ and this will make Him proud to be your Lord and to call you 'His beloved'.
(Mary, Joseph's wife, chosen by God to give birth to Jesus because she has found favor in His sight. She must have been walking in the fear and love towards God for her to have found such great favor. Therefore, God honors her back by choosing her to give birth to the Messiah, the long-awaited savior of the world.
(Matthew 1:18-25)
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
~This is the woman of God who deliberately shares and spreads the Word of God to others to bring life, hope, and truth that is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anna the prophetess, who remained & spent all her life in the temple serving God through fastings and prayers night and day, and who, by having this lifestyle, was able to minister to so many people about the Lord as they seek in Jerusalem for that promised redemption.
(Luke 2:36-38)
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
~Whatever comes in her life, whatever decision she has to make, whatever trials she's facing, she knows whom she's to get strength from and who to give honor FIRST in her life…and its not anybody from her family, friends, or loved ones, but God alone. And because of this, God will reward her and honor her for honoring Him first and trusting in Him in His time.
Queen Esther, whose faith was tried after she found out about Haman's plan to destroy her people. But instead of allowing fear and anxiousness to creep in to her heart, she strengthened herself by prayers and fasting and also encouraging her people to do the same thing. She decided to do what will bring honor to God and His people despite the possible consequence of death. Because of her faith, God gave her wisdom on what to do and guided her all throughout the situation that eventually brought her people deliverance from suffering and death. For sure, she rejoiced after to see how God moved on her behalf, for she chose to find strength and honor in God rather than clothe her heart with fear and hopelessness.
(The Book of Esther)
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.
~This is the woman whose conversation is molded by the Word of God and the character of Jesus as being merciful, graceful, and kind. She also makes sure she becomes a good example and influence unto others, especially her family in Christ, and redeems the time she has with them to have a fruitful time and fellowship around the spirit.
These two scriptures, for me, perfectly describe the Titus 2 woman.
For verse 26, its the Titus 2:3 description of the woman who behaves holily, watches every word and thought she expresses, doesn't act like the world, and teaches good and godly things to others specially to younger women;
For verse 27, this is like Titus 2:4 who redeem the time and unhesitantly share with her daughter/s, (could be her natural and spiritual sisters & friends, too) how, as women, they are called to love the Lord as their first husband, and to love their husbands (or future husbands) just as they would love the Lord, to love their children (or future children) with the love of the Lord, to behave in meekness & purity, learn to be good keepers of the home, obedient to the authority that God puts in their life and this is all for the glory of God and the fulfillment of His Word of the calling in life of every woman.
(Titus 2:3-4)
THE FRUIT OF HER LIFE:
(self explanatory)
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.
May we all desire and do what it takes to be this virtuous woman, not by our might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that resides in us. It takes a lifetime to learn and become like her, but it only takes pure fear of God in the heart to start the first step.
~Tracy Chia
