It was lunch break, and I was sitting down for a quick “Bible snack” when my eyes fell on Proverbs 31:26: “The law of kindness is on her tongue.” Though I’ve read it a thousand times, this time it went right to the quick. Uh-oh. You mean, kindness to the classmate who is doing his utmost to replace the pesty older brother I never had? I’ve heard this passage applied to married women; I’ve even heard it applied to single women in general, but now I began rereading it with a whole new sense that it was written for me.
(Feel free to listen in: you just might come up with an application to your own life!)
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
Hmmm, no husband, but I do have a boss. Can he trust me to be follow all the rules of my workplace, even though no one is watching me?
She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
There are no days off from honesty.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
I’m seeking out research material, not wool and flax, but am I working with it willingly? Or am I trying to get done studying Pliny as fast as possible so I can move on to more appealing topics?
She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her bread from afar.
…and sometimes in a backpack. I used to hate shopping, but God is helping me to turn it into an adventure.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and their task to her maidens.
Probably this means making sure the house is ready for guests in a timely manner. Bathrooms clean? Coffee pot on? Cookies served? Or am I rushing around at the last minute?
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
I wonder what this means in my case. Certainly that I ought to be investing in the future, with whatever talents God has given me – and not merely getting caught up in the demands of today.
She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
She sounds pretty “in shape” to me! Fortunately, though I am by no means a sports-player, I do love to walk – and have plenty of places to walk to. I think it keeps me happier and more balanced spiritually and emotionally.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
This does not mean staying up all night, much as I’d be tempted to interpret it that way! I’ve heard that in Bible times, a nightlight was kept burning in the house. However, if someone forgot to fill it before they went to bed – out it would go. Much as I’d love to burn the midnight oil, I find that I can’t give my best work to God or my employer if I don’t get enough sleep.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
No sewing is going on in this house, but certainly I can be reminded to make use of the small moments in the day, rather than frittering them away on things that neither refresh me nor fulfill the goals God has given me. Uh-oh. I’m sure some of my internet use falls in that category.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
A good reminder to give the commodity most precious to me: time. If I get lonely, don’t some of the friends I’ve been neglecting feel the same way? This reminds me of a lovely promise that comes from the marginal reading of Isaiah 58:10: “Give to the hungry what your soul desires…” As a single girl, what do you desire most? Kindness? Love? A simple acknowledgment that someone knows you exist? If you give that out, “…then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday; and the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make strong your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
…to be continued
14 Comments
This was so insightful – very, very good. Thank you!
thanks so much! What an encouragement!
very good. thank you!
Thank you for your insights Elisabeth. I greatly appreciated it. I’m looking forward to part 2.
wow! what a interesting interpretation. i’m interested in hearing the rest. i’ve always interpreted “her lamp goeth not out by night” to mean that she is making money and saving money so that her lamp is always filled. in my world, that means my electric bill is paid and my car always has gas.
I love hearing about what others have learned when reading the Bible. I learn so much from hearing what they have to say. I have learned that everyone sees something different when reading a scripture passage and when we share we all benefit from what the others have learned. Thanks for sharing.
“God’s girl”
Good work!
I was just talking with my sisters about going back to the “basic” scriptures and lessons. The stuff that we’ve heard in church all our lives isn’t to be forgotten…they emphasized it for a reason. Proverbs 31 was one of our examples (what female who has ever attended a youth group event HASN’T heard this passage?) Thanks for shining a new light on it.
Keep it up,
Everly
I like the concept of having a “Bible snack” midday, just like we do with food. Thanks for your thought-provoking post, Elisabeth!
Blessings,
Kiersti
WOW oh my how lovely was your post!
So inspiring and just great Elizabeth!
I could relate to so much that you wrote i’m a single girl myself and i work part-time and take 1 college class..and am busy a lot, i can relate to you so well, i sometimes rush through my homework quickly as well..and how we treat our bosses and coworkers is so important..i can’t believe just how much Proverbs 31 has taught you..i will follow suit, i will reread Proverbs 31 tonight and even though i’ve read it many times before i will see it with new eyes thanks to you hun! Thanks so much!
And i like the idea of “bible snack” in the middle of the day to refrersh ourselves..:)
Thank you so very much for your wonderful & insightful post!
I can’t wait for Part 2..:)
take care!
Blessings & hugs to you!
May God bless you richly in all you do Elizabeth!
To God be all glory!
PTL
In Him, Jane.
How refreshing Elisabeth!
Thank you for sharing this!
I can’t wait for part 2! This was so good! My translation of the Bible (NASB) says, “An excellent wife, who can find?” So I always think that it applies to married women. But how insightful to apply it to a single girl as well! I, too, have a boss. I have a father with whom I live as well. Can he trust in me? Thanks for sharing this!
How neat and encouraging!!
Thanks for taking the time to write on this. I love your explanations! You are a great writer-and I love to reading your posts. This one was very encouraging. You are so right…we read about or hear about the Proverbs 31 woman a lot. Thank you again for writing on this and sharing what you are thinking!! -Katie
Elisabeth,
Thanks for such an insightful message. Just what I was looking for. We’re teaching the teens in our church about purity and I was looking for an “interpretation” of the Proverbs 31 woman. Your message is perfect. Thank you for your transparence and your obedience in sharing with us! Love and Blessings! ~Shari Freeman, Guam