10) An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12) She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13) She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14) She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. 15) She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 16) She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17) She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. 18) She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19) She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20) She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21) She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 22) She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23) Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. 24) She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27) She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28) Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." 30) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31) Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
13. She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands.
From verse 13-24 we will be looking at this woman's behavior. Back in the days when this was written, wool and flax were materials used for making clothes. At this point in time, under the monarchy of Judah, most matrons were able to go buy the fabric, but this woman procured the raw materials to make her own. What an example she must have set for those in her household. Not just her family members, but also those in her staff, must have recognize that this woman, working with her hands, not just seeking to find them, but she sought to create something wonderful out of them, without complaining or grumbling.
What usually happens at my house is that on my busiest days, I am a stressed out mess. Complaining, hollering out requests, demanding a moment of peace, those have become my traits. But this woman, she just keeps it together all the time. She seems to take pleasure in the pains of making sure that her family is taken care of.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Let me put myself aside Lord. Help me to respond to my duties and to my family with integrity and honor, and please let people see You, in me. Even as I write this prayer I am struggling, with the demands of those who don't know how important time with you can be. Please show them Lord. I need Your work in me, because the work I do alone can never amount to anything. You are almighty, powerful, and capable of every thing, please give me strength to pursue the life you want for me. Let me do all that I do with willing hands and a joyful heart. Oh how I love you, and I am so grateful for your love for me, that even as a sinner, you gave me the gift of grace through the sacrifice of your Son, so that I could be made clean. Thanks Lord. Please continue the good work you've started in me, and my family, and in my home.
In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
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