God’s Woman, or ‘Me’?

The first time I read Proverbs 31:10-31, married with four children – my heart was filled with dismay. I could never live up to all the verbs that nagged at me from every verse. – Brings, selects, gets up, considers, sets about, opens, makes, clothe, speaks with wisdom. Really, how could anyone live up to this unbelievable woman in Proverbs?

Now that my age is much more advanced this portion of scripture, I see the value. I see more of God than me. I see so many ladies about me who capture this way of living – no idleness, simply bringing a Martha-ness to those about them. They bring the faith and yearning to be God’s Woman, just as Mary did.

In these verses, the Proverbial woman is a woman of reputation for goodness, a woman who fulfils needs of others and eagerly greets the day’s activities. She does so with faith in God. A woman of faith, a Mary. A woman who follows God

God’s Woman is just that. She puts God first in her life. Proverbs 31:26 -28, She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

Further guidelines for a woman of faith are found: Matthew 22:37 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

John 14:15 is more succinct, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Psalm 119: – – I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

The M & M’s of God’s Woman come under the heading of Marriage and Mothering. When God’s Woman follows the precepts of His Word, peace reigns. For the ‘Me’ belongs to God and is enveloped by God. When we trust in God our life is sweet. Guidelines are in Proverbs. (Proverbs 31:11-2, 23, 28. Add to that, I Peter 3:1-2 – “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”

The importance of mothering comes through these words – “Start children off on the way they should go, 
 and even when they are old they will not turn from it” – From Proverbs 22:6. The words from Jesus in Luke 18:16 gives every woman joy, as she knows her children are loved by Jesus….”Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Is health important? Yes! (Proverbs 31:13-14,17), we see how God’s Woman cares for herself and her family. – Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” I Corinthians 6:19.

Service of God’s Woman is described in Proverbs 31:12, 20. She is gentle and loving and charitable with all whom she meets. I Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Time is a struggle for many of us. We vacillate between juggling schedules, homemaking, children and finding ‘time for ourselves’. Many of us find the word ‘No’ difficult to pronounce, much less using as a response. We forget to ask what has a kingdom impact, what is of eternal significance. Priorities become skewed. As I read this incredible portion of scripture, I see that God’s Woman is able to differentiate between the trivial and what is pleasing to the Lord. (Proverbs 31:13, 19, 27). Philippians 4:8 gives this thought-worthy scripture – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Finances can become a matter of contention in a family. How does God’s Woman deal with finances? (Proverbs 31:14, 16, 18) In all of this, she follows this verse – “Do everything without grumbling or arguing”. Philippians 2:14. I Timothy 6:10, – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Finances are not a tug of war, but a tying together of a cohesive purpose in the marriage. This makes any marriage stronger.

Perhaps the most attractive quality (how do we choose just one) is the gift of hospitality. (Proverbs 31:13, 19, 27) 1 Peter 4: 9 – Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Hebrews 13: 2 – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

What makes a woman beautiful? Billions of dollars are spent to create the beautiful woman? This is but an illusion. What is the essence of beauty of a woman? (Proverbs 31:10, 21-22, 24-25)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. I Peter 3:3-4.

The question is, are we God’s Woman or are we a ‘Me’?

Note: Twelve years ago Anna Daisy Siemens wrote a study called – Mary, Martha and me. This blog is a response to that study.