A Woman to be Praised
- Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers in the home and in the church.
At the center of the Bible we find the poetic wisdom literature. Psalms, the great hymn book of the Bible. Ecclesiastes, the search for meaning in life. Job, the drama concerning suffering and the kindness of God. Song of Songs, the great celebration of marriage and the coming kingdom. And proverbs.
The book of Proverbs begins with this conclusion about wisdom: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," (Proverbs 1:7). What does it mean to be wise? To be a wise businessman? To be a wise pastor? To be a wise mother? It all begins with the fear of the LORD.
After thirty chapters of dealing with many areas of life, Solomon turns to the instructions of a mother. Solomon includes an oracle that was taught to King Lemeul by his mother. The oracle concludes with this statement: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised," (Proverbs 31:30). Of all the things that this world would tell is to be praised in a woman, the Word tells us that none is above fear of the LORD. What makes a wise mother? Fear. Not charm. Not outward beauty. But fear of the LORD.
Mothers, pray that the Christ would instill these qualities in you and that above all you would fear the LORD. Everyone else, praise God for those women who have displayed the true beauty and charm of fearing Him. Happy Mother's Day.
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 of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.