New Season Ministries Poetry
Stories, Meditation & Poetry
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV) - The Virtuous Woman.
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10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
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The true meaning of a virtuous woman
The true meaning of a virtuous woman is one who is strong with a warrior heart. She is powerful and mighty, with a wealth of talents behind her. Her value is far above anything this world can give. Every woman was made to be a truly virtuous woman, to be a support for her husband, not as an inferior being, but as an equal partner. Although we are equal partners to our husbands we do not have the same role within the family.
Her husband knows that he can fully trust his wife to do him good and not harm. Because she loves him so she produces what is pleasing to him. The prosperous woman wishes to prosper him, treating him with respect and not putting him down, but raising him up so that he feels cherished by her.
She seeks out and soughts after the things she can do and make, working at it willingly. She takes great delight in her work, persevering through whatever her feelings, strengthening her hands with power and persistence new every morning. Making for her husband and children a home they can feel comfortable and warm in. Not being afraid of being the home-maker she was made to be. She goes looking for what she can do, not waiting for it to come. She’s not lazy. The virtuous woman does not let things phase her. Sometimes it is right for us to wait in faith for God to show us which way to turn, and sometimes it is right for us to go out in faith, like Moses waiting for God to part the sea when God told him to do something, although it is God who performs the miracles. The virtuous woman asks God to show her the difference, when to wait and when to move.
The virtuous woman knows how to order her household making sure there is plenty to eat, and enough for everyone to wear. Yet she is also open and humble enough to be able to adapt when necessary. Nothing is ever set in stone, giving God time to change our plans for us.
She prays constantly for her family, her community and her country, exercising her God given authority over it. From what she profits, she blesses her community with the good things she has made from her hands. She’s not afraid to look at her household, her family, her community or even the country where she lives, and buy into it, invest time, money and blessings and more importantly prayers in to it, knowing from the profits of her own time, she is planting something good.
The wise woman puts on her armour of Ephesians 6:10 ff:- (the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the breast plate of righteousness, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, of which she is not afraid to use.) She strengthens herself with power and might, making herself a stronghold behind Christ her fortification, her Strength. Being a persevering woman, she's bold, able to stand secure in God’s strength, knowing who she is in Christ. She is courageous, able to support and establish, forever increasing in strength, in power, in might.
The wise woman discovers by experience that her merchandise from the market place is pleasing and desirable (Psalm 3:3ff.) Her lamp, which is fuelled by God’s knowing and loving Light shows the Way of Truth and never goes out(1 John 3:21-22); it can never be quenched, her inner light will never be put out by evil. (Psalm 118:8-9)
She stretches out her hand, taking control under the authority of Jesus, of her life, using her talents and the gifts God has given her to His purpose, to bring the lost into His fold. The warrior extends her hands, her strength, to the poor and needy who cannot speak for themselves, reaching out to the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19) and fatherless.
The virtuous woman never lives in dread of what lies ahead for her family or her community. She knows she can trust God for everything.
Because of her wisdom and the way she herself respects her husband, he is highly respected within the town, making his voice heard and being amongst the decision makers of the town.
She keeps herself busy, even making a small cottage business for herself, keeping her fingers occupied.
Strength, power and might, splendour, honour and excellency are her clothing, these are what she wears. She can laugh, rejoicing and celebrating at the days to come, the seasons into which she'll travel.
From her mouth she releases in speech, wisdom, teaching and instructing in kindness, unfailing love and utter devotion; keeping watch over the affairs of her household and clan, and does not feast on idleness.
Her children stand with her, calling her blessed and are guided by her. Her husband also gives thanks for her; ‘Many daughters are the apple of their father’s eye and are valiant warriors, bur you excel, you rise up and ascend above them all, rising up on eagles wings. (Isaiah 40:29-31). Behind charm, favour and grace lay vain deception, and beauty has no substance, no depth, But a woman who worships the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and is filled with the Holy Spirit, she shall be extolled.
Give her of the fruit, the produce of her hand and her ministry; . let her own labour, her own art, make her worthy of praise in the public places