Continuing from last week, I'll continue exploring the Proverbs 31 woman today, starting at verse 20 (through verse 27).
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
She is generous. She has a heart for justice. She is filled with compassion. She also acts-- these are more than good intentions. More than a facebook status. I'd also note that- it doesn't only look like she's donating money or food or toiletries here- although maybe she is, and it sure sounds like she would (and she can certainly afford it). She does not get dressed up to hold a fundraising dinner. She opens her arms. She extends her hands. She's unafraid to reach out and help someone up, without looking down on them.
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.
She takes care of her business. Her family is well taken care of. She is well dressed. She can heat her house and both her and her family have warm clothes and blankets. She's not out saving the world while her own home crumbles. It's in fact out of this abundance that she's so able to help others...
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
These two are a power couple. They're a team. Neither one of them has to feel inferior or shrink out of the spotlight to make room for the other. They both excel in what they do (and whatever they do). Nowadays, we might even have a ridiculous celebrity couple name for them, à la Kimye, Brangelina, or Bennifer.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
This woman seems to make everything by hand. Is she on Pinterest?? Or maybe Etsy... She is an entrepreneur. Industrious. Again, out of the abundance she has created, she first supplies her house- then donates or sells the excess. Nothing is wasted. She makes more than she needs and she sees this as an opportunity both to share and give back, as well as to create income and engage in the local economy... or even the not-so-local economy (see commentary about those merchants).
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.
I'm pretty sure this mostly speaks for itself. She's an incredible, wise, strong woman. She is prepared and courageous. She instructs others- and she does this well too. (Other translations say "loving instruction" or "teaching of kindness"-- but it is clear that she is teaching someone, and her teaching is filled with all of the compassion, wisdom, and dignity that she is known by.)
She does not eat the bread of idleness. She is ambitious. She is not lazy, or bored. She is ready, willing, and prepared to do the work that needs to be done- both in her family, and in the world. She is not overwhelmed. She can laugh at the days to come. She knows she's something special. She knows how hard she can work, how smart she is, how much talent she has. She looks at the future, smiles, and says, "Bring it."
She does not eat the bread of idleness. She is ambitious. She is not lazy, or bored. She is ready, willing, and prepared to do the work that needs to be done- both in her family, and in the world. She is not overwhelmed. She can laugh at the days to come. She knows she's something special. She knows how hard she can work, how smart she is, how much talent she has. She looks at the future, smiles, and says, "Bring it."