Today we continued our study of Ruth & Esther by looking at Ruth 3. Even if you aren’t joining us in person or via streaming, I encourage you to read through Ruth with us, as I will continue to share notes from my teachings here on the Thursday blogs.
As you may know, in our lessons we look at Scriptures from all over the Bible – not just from Ruth and Esther. Today we looked at the Proverbs 31 woman. In my talk I shared about a radio interview I did a few years back in which the host asked me about the Proverbs 31 woman. Now before I share with you what she asked me, let’s look at Proverbs 31:10-31 together:
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Sounds like a lot, right? Getting back to the question from the radio host. What she posed was, “If you are teaching women to slow down and make space for God, how does this square with the Proverbs 31 woman who is exceedingly busy?”
And here is how the Lord showed me to respond…
- The woman knew the worth/value of her work
- She learned to stay in her lane by eliminating busyness and only doing the things that were led by the Holy Spirit
- This woman, centered on Christ, was then able to do good to others
I encourage you to reflect on these points today. Are you doing things that are outside of your lane? What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do? Follow His leading and stay centered on Christ.
