Role Models of America

Proverbs 31 Lesson 4

 

Role Models of America  

The Pro31 Woman

Lesson 4

 

Proverbs 31:17-18

¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

 

Eth:  always means – keeps on , continue, stay after it,

                                                              

Gird:  means to tighten up as with a belt.  Pull in tight, make something sure.

So to girdeth means to keep the belt tight around one.  Control, use self discipline 

                                             

The loins represented the private nature, the personal inner being. There are two ramifications of this word loins in the Bible

1. the area about the hips – one’s private parts
2. the area of the personal inner self

 

Both can apply in this context.  The personal morality of a Christian woman cannot be overstressed enough. As a Christ-like female, she cannot act immoral  and be like Jesus.  To be immoral in behavior as well as dress – is to be in the old nature – sin nature. This can be in her actions, reputation or character. Sexual immorality is a sin for both men and women.  There are plenty of scriptural references in the Bible referring to this subject that not addressed here.

 

For a woman to be strong in the inner being is to be as the women of old.

 

To be a pioneer in the early days of history, meant that one had to be resourceful, bold, courageous full of energy and vigor.  Why? Because there were all kinds of challenges to overcome, like mountainous terrain to be traveled across, thick brush and valley forges to climb over or through.

To live in a open air wagon – or a mud dabbed grass hut for a long time.  To eat only what you had gathered and hopefully preserved safely. And eat the same things day after day without variety 

To work all day in the hot sun and up into the evening EVERY DAY just to survive the rigors and wilderness of nature. 

To become your own doctor and nurse. To find the right herbs to ease pains – and the right amount to not cause complications.  Childbirth was especially dangerous as a proper doctor was nearly non existent.  

 And to be your own friend as there were few and far between visits from other human beings as they also were struggling to survive.

To take care of your animals in a special way as they were your lifeline to any value of  life such as traveling anywhere, or providing any sort of aid to your life such as milk, and fur and eggs.

Protection of the family took the husband and the wife working together. Keeping the wild beasts away from your own family, as well as your animals.

To value each and everything you had and take care of all things carefully because it was the only one you had and would never be able to replace. To survive without money. 

 

I am talking about STRONG WOMEN – INNER STRONG WOMEN!

 

Where are these kinds of women?  What happened to them – did the modern convinces somehow turn us into weak, selfish creatures of comfort who complain at any inconveniences at all.  Modern women can’t even handle it when they don’t get a hamburger right – while we are sitting down in a pretty restaurant in a  good comfortable seat and waiting on someone else to prepare and bring on a nice plate to our air conditioned sturdy clean table.   

 

I am talking about women of endurance, stamina and strength. One cannot be strong in the storms of life – without having previously prepared her inner self.  If the inside is strong – the outside with withstand the storm!  But if the inside is weak, when the storm blows, the outside will collapse.

 

When Proverbs 31 is talking about girding her loins and strengthening her arms – it’s not dealing with physical exercise – she was getting plenty of that with her grape vineyard, her sheep and flax fields, as well as her shopping, cooking and market place stores. Her daily plate is full and she needs lots of energy to manage everything.

 

It is talking about her inner strength.

 

What kind of believer did Paul exhort in the New Testament?

Ephesians 6:14

¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness

Walk in life with TRUTH tight about your inner self.

 

I Peter 1:13

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, (the lower nature) be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

                                                                                       

^{Tighten up the private world of your mind – control your thoughts!}

^{The greatest battles of our generation are battles of the mind!  One cannot live in victory without controlling the thoughts that come through the mind.}

                                                                                                           

Proverbs goes on to say……..’She strengtheneth her arms with strength’.

 

She knows that without God she can’t be strong.

She knows without God she won’t be steady.

 

How do we strengthen our arms with strength?

 

When we exercise it’s to gain muscle tone- burn calories – lose weight usually!  To gain something – one must invest.

 

Arms are what we use to reach out.

To God                                    

To Others

To help even ourselves.

Then to prepare for carrying a heavy load – one must exercise or warm up to get ready for it.

 

How do we strengthen our inner person? 

Weakness does not build or prepare for toughness. Depending upon our own selves will not give us the fortitude to continue in the face of trouble.

 

But we CAN prepare and plan for any sort of tough times by WHOM we are depending upon. There is no one who can prepare in advance for loss – or be mentally set up to accept something bad to happen to them. So we can’t develop ourselves by ourselves.  It is  by WHOM  which we are dependant upon - that brings us through any sort of circumstances beyond ourselves.

 

By spiritually developing our hearts and minds upon that which cannot move. That which trouble does not trouble!  That set of strong arms that keeps us upright in the face of devastation. 

 

The Rock Christ Jesus.

 

To build upon Him is to strengthen one’s arms with strength. And when a woman  is holding on to the Biggest Hand in the world – no matter what happens she will survive with an inner strength that will sustain her in the darkest nights of life.  

 

The way Jesus taught us to strengthen our selves. The Parable he used:

Luke 6:47-49

 

⁴⁷Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:

 ⁴⁸He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock

.⁴⁹But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

 

House is our life

Rock is Jesus

Sand is this world’s values.

Storms – troubles that come upon everybody.

What happens to the house depends upon what the house is built upon

Rock?  Strong and withstands troubles

Sand?  Totally destroyed

 

This woman of faith knows how she has built her house!

 

She knows – without a doubt –

She is confident in her abilities – secure – trained and ready.  Steady and focused  Alert and prepared by Whose she is!  .

 

^{Verse 18}She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

 

 She Perceives: She KNOWS  that her life is solid, her reputation is gold.   .

 She knows, that she knows, that she knows!

Who is in charge of herself, her family, her future and theirs.

When life gets dark – and it will at times.

When the moments of fear come to test her – and they will at times.

When the voices of others disappoint her – and they will at times.

She has developed her spiritual strength and her candle will not go out in the darkened times of life.  The flame of her life is strong and bright.  

In this passage of scripture in Proverbs 31 the inner world of a woman – would be addressed as life hands us problems that are often too big for us.  And it is a wise women who knows where her strength comes from and to prepare for life’s storms with strength.

They are the times when we need to draw on our Lord for the strength to go on, and to do the things that our family and those dependent upon us, need from us.

Our families need our strength.  They need us to be stable and strong.  When life blows storms into us – we’ve got to have the ability to be flexible and resilient and have the ability to resist defeat and personal failure.  God has put Himself within you already and His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

I have seen a husband regain his strength by his wife’s strength. She is the one that he can lean on when the battles are overwhelming and his responsibility seem too great. .

Do you feel weak?  Alone? Afraid? 

Start strengthening your arms –  develop your personal walk with God.

Tighten up the belt of truth around your mind.

Spurgeon’s Daily Devotion says: 

Lo, I hear the voice of my Beloved! He speaks to me! Fair weather is smiling upon the face of the earth, and he would not have me spiritually asleep while nature is all around me awaking from her winter’s rest. He bids me “Rise up,” and well he may, for I have long enough been lying among the pots of worldliness. He is risen, I am risen in him, why then should I cleave unto the dust? From lower loves, desires, pursuits, and aspirations, I would rise towards him. He calls me by the sweet title of “My love,” and counts me fair; this is a good argument for my rising. If he has thus exalted me, and thinks me thus comely, how can I linger in the tents of Kedar and find congenial associates among the sons of men? He bids me “Come away.” Further and further from everything selfish, grovelling, worldly, sinful, he calls me; yea, from the outwardly religious world which knows him not, and has no sympathy with the mystery of the higher life, he calls me. “Come away” has no harsh sound in it to my ear, for what is there to hold me in this wilderness of vanity and sin? O my Lord, would that I could come away, but I am taken among the thorns, and cannot escape from them as I would. I would, if it were possible, have neither eyes, nor ears, nor heart for sin. Thou callest me to thyself by saying “Come away,” and this is a melodious call indeed. To come to thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labour, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes. But Lord, how can a stone rise, how can a lump of clay come away from the horrible pit? O raise me, draw me. Thy grace can do it. Send forth thy Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in my heart, and I will continue to rise until I leave life and time behind me, and indeed come away.

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007

Proverbs 31 Lesson 3 Student Handout

Role Models of America  

                            The Pro31 Woman          

Lesson 3  Student

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens Pro 31:5-6

She rises _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Three things can happen in the silence of being alone in a quiet house.

1.     __________________________________________________

2.     __________________________________________________

3.     __________________________________________________

And gives meat to her household:  What is Meat? _____________________

1.     ______________________________________________

2.     ______________________________________________

3.     ______________________________________________

4.     ______________________________________________

5.     ______________________________________________

6.     ______________________________________________

7.     ______________________________________________

8.     ______________________________________________

9.     ______________________________________________ 

She considereth a field __________________________________________

and buyeth it  with the fruit of her hands ____________________________

She planteth a vineyard __________________________________________

1_________________________________________________________

2_________________________________________________________

3_________________________________________________________

4_________________________________________________________

5_________________________________________________________

6_________________________________________________________

7_______________________________________________________

Gen 1:29  And God blessed them, and God said unto them,

Be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, take dominion..

He created you to have a creative, inventive, inspired, imaginative, artistic, resourceful, ingenious mind. You can create a harmoniouslife, and the ways to perform it will open up as needed – as you walk by faith.    Be a Pro31 Role Model!

 

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007

Proverbs 31 - Lesson 3

Role Models of America  

The Pro31 Woman

Lesson  3

Proverbs 31:5-6

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She rises – gets up, by herself has initiative, self starter, having the inner starter to motivate one’s self before others are waking up.  Pre-dawn time in a home is the stillness, the quiet the solitude and spiritual moments can happen because the mind is still (or quiet) from sleep.   

While it is twilight – before dawn, why so early.? Because if the household is to run smoothly there will  need to be some planning time,  some time to think clearly without the voices of calling children, without the needs of the husband.  Without the telephone or television or computer emails, or even text messages from a cell phone  trying to control our thoughts   No woman can be on top of the many details of life if she does not plan.

Three things can happen in the silence of being alone in a quiet house.

                                                                               

1.     Prayer time : God can talk to her heart more clearly while all is still, then  when the day is upon her with details and responsibilities, and the true conversations one on one can be pure without interferences.   

2.     Planning: this can take place – thinking through the day’s events, or coming week duties. Making lists of various family functions/duties

3.     Personal preparations:  The discipline of getting up early gives her time alone to do things she wants to do, before others need her.  Like reading her Bible to build her mind and spirit.

The woman who rises early before others, has the time to collect herself, be prepared and focused. She is poised for her day.  Her spirit is not rushed because she is not in a hurry.  She has everything ready.  The woman is the one who sets the mood in the home.  The atmosphere of a home comes about because of the feminine attitude. And it is up to her how the mornings get started in her home.   

And the verse goes on to say:  gives meat to her household:

Meat – provision, help, aid, supplies, and succors supplies for her family. 

Household means family.  Not neighbors, or  friends – your husband, your young children in the home (not necessarily grown children)  but those who are living in your house, deserve your attention before others. 

To her household – her family( husband, kids, parents sometimes)

What is the ‘Meat” needed in your home?

Preparing the duties of the day for the home:

9 Needs of Every home

          1 Clothing needs

                   School clothes ready

                   Work uniforms ready

                   No lost shoes when trying to leave

                   Clothing repairs done in advance before family needs garment

                   Dry cleaning on hand

          2 Food needs

                   Breakfast foods ready

                   Lunches ready to go or plans what to do for lunch

                   Dinners planned ahead and things prepared to start supper with

                   Menu’s planned for the weekly meals (including snacks)

                   Grocery lists of everything needed for supplies for the house

                   Groceries bought for the week

          3 Household needs

                   Cleaning schedule for each room

                             Mondays – bathrooms & laundry / kitchen

                             Tuesday s – bedrooms  & ironing / kitchen

                             Wednesdays –  offices, stairs & cleaners / kitchen

                             Thursday – living room & dining room / kitchen

                             Friday – stairs & den / kitchen

                             Saturday – car & shopping / kitchen

                             Sunday – REST

          4 Financial Needs

                   Calendar of payments

                             Tithe to God

Mortgage

Utilities

Insurances

Credit cards

other needs –food-gas-expenditures

                              

                   Book of records made

                   Recording of expenses

                  

          5 Home Repairs

                   Honey do’s

                   Repair kit kept in the house for simple needs

                   Yard work

                   Smoke alarms  etc

                  

          6 Transportation Needs

                   Who goes where when

                   Fuel for the car

                   Vehicle repairs

                   Car pooling for the family

          7 Entertaiment Needs

                   When

                   Who

                   What to do

                   Where to host

                   How

          8 Spiritual Needs

                   Purify home from  unholy items

                   Provide for spiritual growth

                             Devotions

                             Bibles to read together

                             Wholesome biblical teaching at home

                               Videos/life lesson books spiritual music  etc

          9 Health Needs

                             Emergency first aid kits

                             Medical guidebook

                             Basic health training

                             Rules in place

                                      Fire

                                      Emergency family plans to evacuate

                                      Numbers posted for kids to use

                                      Pool rules

                                     

The Bible says to train up a child in the way they SHOULD go.

Once you are in control of these main trunk lines of a home (or in agreement with your spouse about who is doing what – bill paying, repairs, yard work etc) 

Then the lists for others can be made and instructions given about time tables of completion. 

         

And a portion – a segment, a part, is prepared, a  schedule, a list, duties,  This takes time to create but once done – it’s a matter of things staying on track weekly. 

To her maidens – could be her employees, workers, housekeepers, staff, others she is over.  Sometimes women have all sorts of help at home, but she plays the martyr not allowing growing children to have responsibilities to help shape them for life.  This is an untapped source of help that must be trained how to be a part of the solution instead of a part of the problem in the home. 

Our families have a need for us to rise up and serve them in efficient ways that make life smoother.  They all have stressful things that happen to them each day – and each in their own ways need the nurturing care of the mother of the home to come home to in safety.  If we are stressed out also – we have nothing of peace to give to them,  We tend to make them more nervous and the tension in the home rises.  If you are not calm, and at peace when they are upset – you WILL handle the difficult moment wrong. 

How do we get there?  We absolutely must have that time alone before the day gets started to spend alone with the Lord.  We need that private time to gather our thoughts and prepare our own ‘homes’– or soul. 

Verse 6:

She considereth a field and buyeth it with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 

            

She considereth a field- she studies a market, a fruit producing field, an avenue of making income and provision.

Women should look for a field, a place that God can create for her to work with her life, instead of against her life’s flow.

 We think women today are overworked, but look at these verses.  This example of virtuous womanhood is a hard working woman! 

The fields I’d  like to consider today are those that keep producing, even when you walk away to do something else,  once set they don’t demand your attention to continually produce. This is a wisdom word.  To look for a market in which production can continue to produce for you while you attend to other matters.  

 ….. and buyeth it  with the fruit of her hands – makes a decision, makes an offer, uses her imagination with the fruit of her hands – her work ethic, hard work, skill labor, energy, she used the fruit of her hands to buy it!  This is a form of bartering.  Currency was not only money that was used but it could also be gifts in kind, labor, a portion of the benefits of the field. She did not use money to buy the field!  She bartered her way into it.

Bartering is almost a lost art among women, but plainly we can see it is a marketing tool that woman can use to obtain blessing for her family.  She may have bartered a portion of the proceeds she would make to the previous owner, or she creatively came up with something to trade so she could gain it.  Sometimes if we just look around at the value in our hands we can gain fields for our families.  God has creative solutions – but sometimes  we  are looking too close to man’s systems to see God’s plans for us.  

She planteth a vineyard – in this case it is a vineyard which is a ongoing fruit field - An Income Stream.. 2 kinds of blessing can come to you.  

1.     Closet blessings: those things once cleaned out are now empty

2.     Field blessings:  keeps on producing year by year for the owner – a system that keeps on working for you.  

Why did she plant a vineyard – it would become a system, a field blessing to her family.

1.     Grapes for food, fresh is grapes, dried could make raisins, jams, or a natural sweetener

2.     Juice – fresh or wine – income producing – create her own recipes 

3.     Liquid for dye – ranging from red, purple, greens for home or to sell

4.     Medicinal liquids to help heal. 

5.     Seeds – for grape-seed oil or replanting other fields.

6.     Leaves – to wrap food in for cooking and green dye colors

7.     Vines – good sturdy rope for home use – or to sell.

She actively looked for ways to build her family’s income that was a passive way to earn income, that would continue to produce year by year. 

·        Her time- table could be her own, she could choose the day and hours to work her income stream.

·        Hours she was needed at home- this vineyard would not compete with the rest of her life, family, spiritual growth, or church life ( the place she could share talents in) 

·        Also it would provide a workable income stream for provisional supply ongoing, endless. 

·        Produce product for her own family in a variety of ways.

All she would need would be a creative way to sell her products. 

God has made us in His image  - both men and women!

 Gen 1:28-29

 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 ²⁸And God blessed them, and God said unto them,

Be fruitful,

and multiply,

and replenish the earth,

and subdue it:

and have dominion …..

He intended for you to have a creative,  inventive, inspired, imaginative,   artistic, resourceful, ingenious mind.  He has already given you the means by which to create a harmonious life and the ways to perform it will open up as needed – as you walk by faith.

Be a Pro31 Role Model! 

 

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007  

Proverbs 31 - Lesson 2 Student Handout

Role Models of America  

The Pro31 Woman

 Lesson 2 Student  

Her _______________________as a wife, 

Her __________________as a homemaker, 

Her ______________________ as a neighbor, 

Her ________________________ as a teacher, 

Her _________________________ as a mother,  

Her _______________________ as a saint.  

 

Verse 13, She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. .  

Wool:  ______________________________________________

Flax: ________________________________________________

To work willingly with her hands: To take pride in one’s work.  To show an interest in one’s labor.  The opposite of just trying to ‘get it done and out of my way’.

Willingly:  freely, eagerly, keenly, readily, enthusiastically, gladly happily, cheerfully, voluntarily – of your own accord.   

 Verse 14, "She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar." 

Merchants ship; __________________________________________________________

1 ______________________________________________________________________

2 ______________________________________________________________________

3 ______________________________________________________________________

4 ______________________________________________________________________

5 ______________________________________________________________________

 

To discern the words of understanding; To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young wo- man knowledge and discretion: That the wise woman may hear, and increase in learning; And that the woman of understanding may attain unto sound counsels: To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Proverbs 1

 

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007

Proverbs 31 - Lesson 2

Role Models of America

The Pro31 Woman

Lesson 2

          The book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom. .We learn how to handle our money, and how to work. .We learn how to treat our parents, children and friends. .We learn the differences between wisdom and folly, between the righteous and the wicked. Most of the Proverbs are attributed to Solomon, a man who sought wisdom above all else and because of it received everything he could ever desire.

We read in the first chapter of Proverbs, “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding; To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion: That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels: To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.  The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:1-7

For thousands of years, God-fearing women have looked to the noble, or virtuous  woman of Proverbs 31 as their ideal.  This was recited as a poem to thousands and thousands of young women preparing for marriage.   This poem was traditionally recited in the Jewish home every week on the eve of the Sabbath.

In our generation, young women are not encouraged to prepare themselves for adult life as a women.  It’s all about becoming or being something else.  And colleges are full of young women who study hard and work long hours to complete a goal of a career, but sadly most are ill prepared for the duties of a woman which most often include a husband and children.  We, more than any other generation have women raising children alone in life.  Single mothers without the proper training in the basics of life – often are so young themselves that they have no real understanding of what it means to be a woman first and then to add motherhood on top of that is a real responsibility without wisdom.  so we have ill prepared motions and actions and we suffer the repercussions that are long lasting.  Everything from home management, to health care, to nutrition to basic child care has been cast away in hopes of something else.

 This is the reason HGtv and DIY networks have become so popular.  Because for the first time we can watch other women doing functions that we all do and we get new ideas and inspired to become better women.    The show ‘The Nanny’ is doing nothing more than what generations of women have know all along – but this generation has not applied themselves to wisdom, and so suffer the consequences of unruly kids.  We should be ashamed that we need to invite television crews into our homes to film our cluttered and dirty houses.  Without even the knowledge to know they should be ashamed to let anyone see their messy lives.  And looking like a deer in headlights they watch the organizers come into and take control of their ADULT lives and bring order back.  This is the sign of womanhood completely lost in the throes of being something or someone other than her God given positions of life. 

When we examine this ancient biblical ideal of womanhood, we do not find the stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, her daily life dictated by the demands of her husband and her children.  Nor do we find an overly ambitious career woman who leaves her family to fend for itself.

What we find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. This woman has money to invest, employees to look after and real estate to manage. She is her husband’s partner, and she is  trusted with the responsibility for their lands, property and goods.

She has the business skills to buy and sell in the market, along with the heartfelt sensitivity and compassion to care for and fulfill the needs of people who are less fortunate. Cheerfully and energetically she tackles the challenges each day brings. Her husband and children love and respect her for her kind, generous and caring nature.

But with all her responsibilities, first and foremost, she looks to God. Her primary concern is God’s will in her life. She is a woman after God’s own heart. Let’s examine the characteristics of this remarkable woman — the  Role Model for Christian women today.

She has 6 features:  

1.   her character as a wife, 

2.   her devotion as a homemaker, 

3.   her generosity as a neighbor, 

4.   her influence as a teacher, 

5.   her effectiveness as a mother,  

6.   her excellence as a saint.  

Now, Proverbs 31 is  a very important document in Jewish history.  

Obviously, it is inspired by God, but inspired by God in a unique way that  is not visible, 

but subtle.  There are 22 verses from verse 10 to 31, and there are 22 characters in the 

Hebrew alphabet. 

Each of these verses begins with the next character in sequence in the Hebrew alphabet, 

so that it starts with Aleph, Beth, Gimel, and so forth, right down through the Hebrew alphabet

  The first letter of each of these proverbs, each verse, is the next letter in sequence.  Why?  

Because it was easy that way to memorize this.  

It became an acrostic which created a formula for easy memorization 

and recall of these features, so that every young Jewish son and daughter could be taught 

by the mother to memorize Proverbs 31:10-31, and thereby the children would have in their 

minds the criteria, by which boys and girls  were to measure the excellence of a woman.  

Lesson 1 covers the important subject of her character as a wife.   And Lesson 2 is about 

her homemaking skills. 

2.  Her Devotion as a Homemaker.

Verse 13, She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with 

her hands.  

In God's order this woman is devoted to the home.  She is the ruler of the house.  She manages the household, 

and her devotion is remarkable.  Verse 13 tells us that she's involved in making thread out of 

wool and flax or linen – she is using her hands in detail work. 

Wool was needed for winter clothing.  Winters are cold and wet.  Without heated houses wool was an important protection for the body to keep warm. And her ability to provide warm clothing was necessary to prevent sickness, and create comfort for her husband, children and herself.   

Wool: 

• Buy a lamb and raise it. 
• Sheer wool from helping her mother or another woman who would give her lessons. 
• Clean the wool and learn to card it properly to make good thread.
• Or use the animal for meat 

 This woman enjoys living so that she plans ahead for what she needs in order to accomplish her responsibilities.

We all know what wool is but what is flax?

Flax:  a well-known plant with yellowish stem and bright blue flowers.  Flax was and still is a very versatile plant:

·         It's coarse fibers were woven into cloth and named 'linen'.

·         The root system  and it's seeds provided rich nutrients which  were full of lots of vitamins, minerals and omega 3’s.

·         Very rich flour was created when ground and still today it helps aid someone who is looking to add nutrients to their food sources. 

·         Flax seeds can be sprinkled on anything and provides a nutty crunch to meals. 

·          Flax seed oil is a great oil to cook with and it’s flavor is light and it’s also full of nutrition.   

Egypt was known for it's production and crops of flax and it's textile  manufacturing of the  linen cloth. The spinning was anciently done by women of noble birth. It seems probable that the cultivation of flax for the purpose of the manufacture of linen was by no means confined to Egypt, but also has been in production in Asia. It was grown in Palestine even before the conquest of that country by the Israelites appears from (

Joshua 2:6)

When the Israelite spies had to hide, the woman had flax drying on the root top of her home.  She picked them up and the men laid down and she then laid the flax stalks over them and hid them from the soldiers who came looking for them, 

The various processes employed in preparing the flax for manufacture into cloth are indicated:

• The drying process.
• The peeling of the fibres and stalks.
• The hackling. (Isaiah 19:9) That flax was one of the most important crops in Palestine appears from (Hosea 2:5,9)

Flax or linen fabric served as the summer weight clothing.  In the Middle East the summers are brutal and extremely hot.  So for proper clothing for protection from the sun and yet coolness for the body was very important. 

Then the process of weaving both linen and wool would be done.  Thus making the cloth for clothing, bedding, table use and travel and also for trade.  This would not only serve her family’s personal needs but could be used for selling for money purposes.

To work willingly with her hands: 

To take pride in one’s work.  To show an interest in one’s labor.  The opposite of just trying to ‘get it done and out of my way’.

Willingly:  freely, eagerly, keenly, readily, enthusiastically, gladly happily, cheerfully, voluntarily – of your own accord.     

The Syriac version of this says, "Her hands are active after the pleasure of her 

heart."  It is not hard for her to do these things, it's not something she begrudges; 

it is not an unwilling thing because she loves the people she serves.  She loves 

her work because she loves her family.  She loves her husband.  Its value is 

connected to who she does it for.  Because of such deep devotion to her husband 

and her children, she willingly denies herself and takes on the most menial of 

tasks with the greatest amount of pleasure.   

Verse 14, "She is like merchant ships; she 

brings her food from afar."  

Some would say, this means she finds coupons and drives

30 miles to get a bargain on orange juice! Now, we 

understand the benefit of that, being frugal and being

 careful, but in those days the rub was--you had to 

walk!  

If she took her time – it meant it was worth the wait! 

A merchant ship would have been a ship that brought goods, spices, foods 

from other places for commerce.  She was looking for the special, the really fresh, the

 interesting foods that he would have brought from other places. She planned 

on the special suppers that her family looked forward to.  The dinners that made 

you feel like a guest of honor.  Her eyes were trainedwatching for the ‘deals’ so 

that she could maximize on her purchases to benefit her family. Meals that 

made you go mmmmmmm when you sat down to eat!   

Merchants ship:  she plans long ways off for the food for her family.  

She didn’t just run through Mc Donald’s to provide a 'happy meal' of empty 

calories and  loaded with trans fat and fat drenched facsimile of fake food and 

merrily go on her way ignoring the nutritional needs of her family. Nutrition or 

nourishment depends on our abilityto serve real food to our families. 

·        Weekly grocery lists

·        Nutritional needs – fiber, water, raw foods, 

·        Planned the schedule of the family and mealtimes 

·        Planned weekly meals  

·        Planned kitchen cleaning schedule

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE NUTRIONAL 

NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES.  

BECOME AWARE OF THE VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAT KEEP 

SICKNESS AWAY!

She has planned for the meals of her family.  She 

does not start her week without knowing where her 

family is headed in meals.  She has planned, looked 

thru her ‘maps’ (recipes) has thought through her 

schedule and how to make everyone’s food needs met.      

PLANNING FOR THE FOOD NEEDS OF THE FAMILY – 

INCLUDES THE KITCHEN NEEDS OF THE HOME.  CREATE A 

SCHEDULE OF CLEANING THE VARIOUS PARTS OF YOUR HOME 

CENTER.  

HOW LONG HAS THAT FOOD STUFF’S BEEN IN YOUR PANTRY?

OR HOW ABOUT THIS QUESTION – WHEN IS THE LAST TIME 

YOUR REFRIDGERATOR WAS CLEANED OUT?

Why?  Because of the delight she has in providing it for her family she willingly 

does that.  She finds her complete satisfaction in the joy of serving. She goes 

great distances to find the very best, certainly for the best price, to bring the 

benefit to her family.  She's engaged, you see, in good planning, careful 

management, but it's not just simplistic, it's not just bread and water; there are 

little things that she adds to make it rich and enjoyable, even if she has to go a 

long way to get it.

"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar."

The trait not to settle for the mediocre is portrayed by a woman who goes the extra mile for quality items.                                                                                                

Who is a virtuous woman today? Proverbs 31 tells you that it is the woman who puts God first. The ideal woman of Proverbs 31 should encourage all women everywhere. Cultures change, but this woman’s God-inspired character still shines brightly across the generations.

 

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007

Proverbs 31 Lesson 1 - Student Handout

Role Models of America  

The Pro31 Woman  

^{Lesson 1  Student}  

^{Ruth 3:11}

¹¹And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a _______________________________________.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰Who can find a ___________________ woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 ¹¹The __________________ of her husband doth ______________ ____________ in her, so that he shall have no need of ______________.

 The heart of a man is private.                        

 _____________________________ and ______________________________________

Something in which _______________________________________ is placed. 

Sharing his ______________________________ and _________________ for the future. 

Holding of _______________________ ___________________________________.

………………so that he shall have no need of _____________________.

Spoil: harm by overindulgence…………….. cause to seem unsatisfactory….stealing. 

 

¹²She will do him __________________ and not evil all the days of her life.

Good means : _____________________________________________________.

Suitable, kind, skilled, virtuous, ample, affording pleasure, undamaged, valid, helpful pleasant, favorable, beneficial, genuine, obedient, well-mannered.

Proverbs 12:4

⁴A ___________________________ woman is a crown to her husband:

but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

 The Crowning Joy of a             husband is his wife…. ________________________

Isaiah 30:21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. 

 

written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007

Proverbs 31 - Lesson 1

Role Models of America  

The Pro31 Woman

Lesson 1

^{Ruth 3:11}

¹¹And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman

Proverbs 12:4

⁴A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 ¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. ²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

 ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

 

There are 20 areas of a woman’s life….

1.Takes care of her husband

2.Makes things

3.Cooks

4.Organizer – plans routines

5.Price checks (considers)  buys land, plants  a garden (grows something that will continue to produce fruit for her family)

6.Excerises – takes care of her body – (mother’s herself)

7.Takes pride in her handiwork

8.She sows and plants a garden – for fresh food for her family – she thinks about                   nutrition/health

9.Takes care of the poor

10.Plans ahead for the seasons of nature

11.Dresses herself great!

12.Her family has a good reputation among others

13.She makes things and sells them

14.Her character is above reproach

15.Her speech and language is impeccable

16.She handles the details of her house and home is not lazy

17.Her children grow up to love and respect her

18.Her husband will brag on her to others

19.Many women excel in natural things- but the woman who respects God and His laws will surpass them all

20.Her own example will be what  makes her  a Role Model to others.

 

This is a clear defining pathway for us to follow:

Let's explore the first section of this passage of scripture.  This is talking about a godly woman who serves the Lord.

Most women I know really want to be godly and be a good woman – but they have had no example to follow.  No woman has been in front of them leading them saying, ‘this is the way….. walk in it’

And to all single women - these lessons which may not apply to your currant life – but may down the road and you will be well trained and educated having applied wisdom to your life in preparation.

And to all young girls  here – you need to hear these lessons so that we can help to train you in the way you should go. So that when you are grown and married you will have the skills and knowledge to handle the matters of a woman’s life.

So let me share with you some gospel truths that apply to women all over the world no matter where you are in the earth. No matter your age, no matter your cultural background.  We all share the same role as women.

  All ladies are women – but not all women are ladies.

 

And as God has made us to be women – He has given us certain responsibilities that we are to oversee.  Many women today don’t know the boundaries and the role that they were made to fulfill so they spend their lives trying to be men, or become the authority over the headship of men. 

But there are so many wonderful things for a women to explore, in becoming a fulfilled woman that if she will only lay down her defensive actions of the political arena of being ‘equal’ to a man, and open her mind to becoming a real woman – she will find satisfaction and joy in her creation. We are not in competition with men - we are a separate creation .

 

Let’s talk about the first part of this passage. 

 ¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 

 

The dictionary says: 

Having or showing moral goodness or righteousness or chaste.  Chaste means not having sexual intercourse with anyone except one’s own husband. 

 

In today’ world where every moral boundary has been broken we as Christian women – reflecting God’s Glory in the earth must take a hard look at who we are – and to Whom we belong. To become Christ-like is to desire to reflect Him in all we do or say.  

We must become vigilant when it comes to our virtue.

 

Sometimes a single sentance can bring clarity to understanding one's self.  Look at this little proverb from Japan.

  

When the character of a woman is not clear to you, look at her friends.   Japanese Proverb

 

Looking at ones friends can help you to clearly see - who is influencing my life?  And who am I most likely to become like, because of their words.

 

Our friends are not necessarily those of whom God has called us to become like.  But His Word teaches us that our husbands are those of whom we are called to develop trust with.  

 

 

 

¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,

so that he shall have no need of spoil.

The heart of a man is private. 

Can he trust you? 

Reliance and Care

Something in which confidence is placed.

Sharing his hopes and dreams for the future.  

Holding of his  property.

……………………so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Spoil: harm by overindulgence………………….. cause to seem unsatisfactory …….stealing.  

 

¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Good means of high quality. 

Suitable, kind, skilled, virtuous, ample, affording pleasure, undamaged, valid, helpful pleasant, favorable, beneficial, genuine, obedient, well-mannered.

Proverbs 12:4

⁴A ___________________________ woman is a crown to her husband:

but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

  The Crowning Joy of a husband is his wife! Am I a crown or a crank!

 

Isaiah 30:21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. 

^{Ruth 3:11}

¹¹And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

 

Written by Gayla Holley

All Rights Reserved 2007