Your Portrait

O. T. #1511  "Your Portrait"
August 28, 2019
Proverbs 31-Part 11
Who can find a virtuous woman? Fore her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She shall do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  Proverbs 31:10-12

LET IT GLOW

Didn't we have a good study about the kingdom woman? Verses 10-31the king's mother gives us a picture of a good woman for her son to marry, one of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. She is not a shrinking violet, nor one like Whistler's mother, always sitting in a rocking chair, as in the picture her son painted of her. No, this virtuous woman is busy and of precious value to her husband. She is more valuable than rubies and precious jewels.

How should this excellent wife and mother look if a painting could capture her?
Life Application Study Bible  describes her:

She is a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, seamstress, upholsterer, and merchant. Her strength and dignity did not come from her amazing achievements, however. They are a result of her reverence for God. In our society, where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise us to realize that her appearance is never mentioned. He attractiveness comes entirely from her character and actions. She may be a composite portrait of ideal womanhood. See her as an inspiration to be all you can be. Do not see her as a model to imitate in every detail; your days are not long enough to do everything she does. We can't be just like her, but we can learn from her industry, integrity, and resourcefulness. 

If our son were to paint a portrait of us as his mother, how would we look in it? Wouldn't it be interesting? I may have a mop in my hand, mopping the hall floor on Saturdays (They later complained that I woke them up at 6 in Saturday mornings to get my cleaning done. That was so I could spend the rest of the day with them.) Maybe I would be in the kitchen with floor everywhere making homemade rolls or pancakes or cinnamon rolls. Would it be one with love and a sparkle in my eyes, holding a Bible or on my knees praying for my family? Hmm.

How would your portrait look if your family painted it?


LET IT GROW


Virtuous means strong, mighty, power, riches, virtue, valor.

So isn't it acceptable to be a strong woman, a woman of virtue, knowing in what I believe and acting like Jesus said to act? To be a doer and not a sitter?

First of all, in verses 11 and 12, this virtuous wife is described by how she treats her husband:

• Her husband can trust her.
• She greatly enriches his life.
• She brings him good not harm all the days of her life.
• She is faithful to him.
• She is a helpmeet for him, his partner.

What is her character like? Matthew Henry describes her as:

• made strong by wisdom and grace;
• fears God;
• a woman of spirit that controls hers;
• having good principles and is firm and steady to them;
• not being frightened by the wind and clouds;
• not seducing by dress, wealth, or actions, but is modest, virtuous in countenance and behavior;
• industrious;
• meets her husband's needs;
• can be trusted;
• managing the home well;
• has a good reputation for herself, her husband, and family;
• having good words and encourages her husband.

Wow! Do we have any homework?

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for my family, husband, home which You have given me. I am so very blessed.
Make me into a virtuous woman for them.
Glory to Jesus today!