Proverbs 31:17

 

 

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength, 

And maketh strong her arms.

Ah yes, the virtuous body builder, hitting those weight benches at the gym every day...  Haha, ok, not really. I just had to throw that in there. :)

If you think about it, it seems obvious that after all the work she does, the virtuous woman would be at least somewhat strong. And yet her strength is still mentioned specifically! This woman makes sure that she clothes herself with strength. We are seeing many examples of her strength of character, and her discipline in labor helps her reap the benefit of a strong body!

Today, we have so many labor-saving devices that take a lot of the "sweat" out of work, so that even a very hardworking mother most likely won't have the same amount of physical strength that a hardworking mother of ancient times had. I certainly don't think that appliances like washing machines are wrong - I love them! But I think all of us (myself definitely included) need to "make strong our arms" in what ways we can. If we get enough exercise simply through our everyday tasks, great! But if we don't get the right kinds of exercise in the course of our daily work, I think it's a good idea to set aside a little time towards maintaining a healthy body.

Another thought I had was this: I think sometimes with certain tasks, we quickly assume that it's something we can't (or shouldn't have to) do. Now, I'm not talking about truly overexerting oneself so that you end up getting injured. Nor am I talking about overstepping the bounds of a woman's role. But, for example, lawn mowing. It's actually not that hard, so I don't know if it qualifies as something you need to strengthen your arms for, haha, but I'll use it as an example anyway.

I realize that there are some tasks that are sortof "guy things." Mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, etc. But I don't personally think it's inappropriate for a woman to mow the lawn now and then. If your husband wants that to be his responsibility, good for him! But I don't think we should always make that something that only he can do. If he's had a rough week and feels overwhelmed, and the lawn is on his "to do" list, maybe it would be a nice surprise to just "gird our loins" and have that grass mown when he comes home from work!

Here's a quote from George Lawson that I thought was good.

As rust gathers on metals that are seldom used, so sluggishness of disposition contracts a rust on the power of the body and mind; and idle persons by degrees realize those excuses for their conduct which were at first mere shams. The virtuous woman is of a very different temper. She declines not any part of her duty through aversion to toil; and by exerting her strength with a cheerful mind she improves it. Her labors give her health and vigor, and alacrity for new labors; so that she can with great ease and tranquility go through those duties which appear impossibilities to other women [Commentary on Proverbs, p. 564]

Let's all keep ourselves strong and rust-free... ready for whatever opportunities for good works come our way! :)

Proverbs 31:11

Proverbs 31:11
"The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain."

What does it mean for the heart of a husband to trust in his wife? I think the idea here is that the virtuous woman's husband has complete confidence in her. Her whole way of life is so open, dependable and honorable that he is never given any reason to doubt her! What peace this gives to not only her husband, but her entire family! I believe that no matter our station or position in life, each of us as Christians should strive to be transparent. Not transparent as in we let out every emotion we feel or anything like that, but we should be a guileless people. Those around us should be able to tell that we are what we say we are; that we are trustworthy.

So many other thoughts can be gleaned from this one passage, and I had a lot of tangents going in my mind! I love this quote from Matthew Henry's Commentary. He expresses so beautifully some of the thoughts I had.

(1.) She conducts herself so that he may repose an entire confidence in her. He trusts in her chastity, which she never gave him the least occasion to suspect or to entertain any jealousy of; she is not morose and reserved, but modest and grave, and has all the marks of virtue in her countenance and behaviour; her husband knows it, and therefore his heart doth safely trust in her; he is easy, and makes her so. He trusts in her conduct, that she will speak in all companies, and act in all affairs, with prudence and discretion, so as not to occasion him either damage or reproach. He trusts in her fidelity to his interests, and that she will never betray his counsels nor have any interest separate from that of his family. When he goes abroad, to attend the concerns of the public, he can confide in her to order all his affairs at home, as well as if he himself were there. She is a good wife that is fit to be trusted, and he is a good husband that will leave it to such a wife to manage for him.

(2.) She contributes so much to his content and satisfaction that he shall have no need of spoil; he needs not be griping and scraping abroad, as those must be whose wives are proud and wasteful at home. She manages his affairs so that he is always before-hand, has such plenty of his own that he is in no temptation to prey upon his neighbours. He thinks himself so happy in her that he envies not those who have most of the wealth of this world; he needs it not, he has enough, having such a wife. Happy the couple that have such a satisfaction as this in each other!

I love those last two sentences. Isn't that a wonderful goal? What a beautiful and encouraging picture portrayed for us of the excellent wife, and what a challenge to us all for improvement!