Proverbs 31 rather than Ezra...what?

I had wanted to start to go over Ezra, but I have decided that I need to revisit Proverbs 31....now you may ask why? Simple answer I want to be the best bride (or wife) that I can be.

Proverbs is wonderful book in the Bible.  Any new Christian, I have a word of advice for you...read one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month.  And there are 31 chapters. How convenient.  Proverbs can teach you how to live your life as a Christian, so it is very helpful.

Wow I just read some very interesting stuff about King Lemuel, and that is that Lemuel means (belonging) to God, and that Lemuel is actually symbolic for Solomon and that since Bathsheba was Solomon's mother, she is possibly the author of verses 1 thru 9.  And the balance is direction to us on a virtuous how to be virtuous.

The virtuous part, is the part I feel lead to deal with this morning.

The Virtuous Wife

¹⁰ Who^[b] can find a virtuous^[c] wife?   Now this is a good question, only one who looks shall find a virtuous woman.
For her worth is far above rubies. She will be very valuable to the man who finds her as well as to her children.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;  Her husband will be able to trust her in all matters.
So he will have no lack of gain.  She will always have his back..even if she doesn't want to, she still does.
¹² She does him good and not evil. Hmmmmm, I know this is a tough one, but doing This is import, yesterday I struggled with this one.  I wasn't happy with my husbands decisions for our day.  And he probably knew it.  I didn't really speak to him, I didn't ignore him, but I didn't go out of my way to converse with him.  This was my "evil". 
All the days of her life.  ALWAYS, not sometimes, ALWAYS!

¹³ She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.  Do what needs done for your family and home.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.  Take care of your family whatever it takes.

¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night, if you need more time to do your work get up earlier so that you are prepared when your family is up.

And provides food for her household,  feed your family well, (and not just with food.)

And a portion for her maidservants. If you people that work for you, take good care of them as well.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 

From her profits she plants a vineyard.  Be diligent about the way you spend your money.

¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.  Take care of yourself s that you can take good care of your family.

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.  Like verse 15, if you need to stay up a little later to get finished what needs finished, ask God for strength, He will provide you with the energy you need.

¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.  I am not100% sure about this one, I think it may have something to do with providing clothe, and clothing for the household.

²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.  This is easy to understand, do what you can for those that are less fortunate than you...

²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.  Take good care of your families, value them!

²² She makes tapestry for herself;  wall coverings?

Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Do all things as unto the Lord. 

²³ Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.  Her husband is know because she takes such good care of him and her children.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.  She works hard!

²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.  She is happy and honored to do as she does.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness. As she does everything else, she chooses her words carefully and speaks in kind and gentle words.

²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.  This is very understandable.  Don't waste your time.

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;  Her children love her and trust her.

Her husband also, and he praises her:  as does her husband.

²⁹ “Many daughters have done well, 

But you excel them all.”  Understandable 

³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,  We will age, do say gracefully and don't fight it!

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  God is so good, always have faith and trust in the Lord.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,  and let her own words praise her in the gates.   We are known by our works, they truly show what kind of women we are.

I need to work on verses 12 and 26.   Where do you need to put forth more effort?

Now go find someone to bless!