Homemaking Mondays: A Virtuous Woman Part 3

Homemaking Mondays: A Virtuous Woman Part 3

Proverbs 31:18

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."

To perceive is a great quality.  It shows wisdom in understanding of what something is worth.  It is a form of judgment.  

In this verse, it is the merchandise that she has that she judges is good. I have a feeling that she wouldn't be pleased with herself if it was not good.  It is a good thing to know the value of what we have, either the merchandise that we have to sell, or the merchandise that we buy. 

I think on this verse...."her candle goeth not out by night." 

It shows that this woman works into the night.  She doesn't just stop when the sun goes down.  

Women have a need to finish things they have been working on.  Also there are many tasks a woman has that happen at night, especially if there are small children in the home, or illness among the family.  

I think it shows the industriousness of a woman.  One that thinks about the needs of the home all day and not just when it's convenient for her.  

A great self sacrificing quality! 

Proverbs 31:19

"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."

How industrious she is!  This used to be a common place that one would find a women.  Working at making tread or yarn.  She would be going through the process of creating needful products for her projects (merchandise).  Also for all the things that she will make for her family. 

Do you still make these necessities?  Seems to be more of a hobby in our culture where I live...but a very important skill.  For me I can go to the store and purchase these products already made.  It takes time and consideration to bring in the right products for the needs that we have.  We have to make good judgement calls on quality and quantity.

Proverbs 31:20

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."

Do you take time to consider the poor? The Lord Jesus said that the poor we will always have with us.  There are always others that have needs that, often times we can readily see.  Not just those that are on the streets seeking help, but there are often those in homes, tucked away and suffering quietly.  

From young people, young families, to the elderly.  

It is so very important to take and share from what we have.  Whether it be food, clothing, or time.  We need to make other's needs a part of our lives.  

Remember also what the Lord says about giving. 

Matthew Chapter 6: 1-4

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

Proverbs 31:21

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

For those of us in the northern hemisphere...winter is coming!  Are you prepared?  Does your family have what they need for warmth?  I am always challenged with this verse...make sure ahead of time that your family has what they need before the snow comes.  

I am checking the closets to make sure that all the family have warm clothing, socks and long johns.  Then checking for proper coats, mitts, hats, scarves, and footwear. Making note of what is still needed and seeking to either make or purchase those items.  The snow is coming...it's on the mountain tops, and will be here with us before long.  The temperatures are dropping.

The virtuous woman looks ahead and prepares for the needs to come.  I think this goes far beyond just clothing..... we need to have long term vision and anticipate the needs of our family.  Then when possible we need to prepare for those needs.  

Proverbs 31:22

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Here we see that she also looks to her own needs for clothing.  No doubt she uses the materials she made to create her own attire.  I think it's a wonderful skill to be able to sew.  Just basic things can be created this way, as well as the more elaborate.  Then also you can take clothing and adjust it (alter it) to fit the needs of another.  Great skill to be frugal, in that it allows you to use what you have on hand many times. I our world, sometimes this just means wisely choosing what to buy for attire.  This verse shows us that the virtuous woman wasn't a drab lady... but that she also had lovely attire for herself.  

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer