Read Proverbs 14:1
1. What do wise women do for their house?
Builds her house- She would never harm her own house
2. Give some examples of how wise women do this.
- Obeys God
- Cooperates with husband in financial matter
- Kind
- Respects headship
3. Describe what foolish women do.
Tears her house down.
4. Give some examples of how foolish women do this.
- Disrespects headship
- Spends all the money
- Speaks abusively to husband and kids
Read Proverbs 9:13
Describe a foolish woman.
Vain, empty, untamed tongue, ignorance which is willful, she has no preservative against evil, no moral fibre to resist temptation and does not know shame.
Read Job 2:1-10
1. What did Job's wife tell him to do?
Curse God and die
2. What kind of woman did Job tell his wife she spoke as?
A foolish woman
Read Matthew 25:1-13
1.How many of the virgins were foolish?
5
2. What did the wise virgins bring with them?
Oil in jars with their lambs.
3. What did the foolish virgins allow to happen?
Their lamps to not work because they did not bring oil.
4. What did the foolish ask of the wise?
To use some of their oil.
5. What happened to the foolish virgins?
They where locked out and did not meet the bridegroom.
6. What did the bridegroom say to the foolish women?
I do not know you.
7. What truth was Jesus teaching us by telling this parable?
Christ will return at an unknown hour.
Ok so let's look at
Proverbs 31 shall we? Yes women can be foolish so let's look at the opposite of a foolish woman and see what the ideal woman looks like so we can emulate that.
V.10: Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
Rubies eh? Wow...must be PRETTY DARN VALUABLE to be compared to rubies.
V.11: Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
Ok so a good woman is trustworthy.
V.12: She brings him good not harm, all the days of her life.
So a good woman should always want the best for her husband just like a husband should always want the best for his wife.
V. 13-14: She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchants ship bringing her food from afar.
So she's hardworking and in a way provides for the family.
V. 15: She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the days work for the servant girls.
So she makes good food and hands out the chores to the servants.
V.16: She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
So to me this sounds like she has some *gasp* authority!! *faints* Think about this for a minute a WOMAN making a FINANCIAL decision ALL BY HERSELF!! HOW COULD SHE??? THE HORROR!!!!! And to think she used her OWN MONEY TOO AND SHE'S MARRIED!!! Can you feel the sarcasm oozing through your computer screens yet? lol
V. 17-18: She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late in to the night.So let's get this straight:
she is energetic and strong! Doesn't sound like a mamby-pamby little house-wife to me.
Her dealings are profitable--> so she's smart too! Who would have thought!!!
V.19: Her hands are busy spinning thread, her hands twisting fiber.
So she's skilled.
V.20: She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
Well look at that a good woman is kind too and helping the poor could in some cases fall under making financial decisions.
V.21: She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
Oh again with the providing for the family!!
V.22: She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
So she's skilled, and she can be fashionable while still being modest??
V.23: Her husband is well known at the city gates where he sits with other civic leaders.
Well well well looks like behind every good woman is a good man too! (just kidding! I believe they should be partners in crime!) ;-)
V.24: She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
Looks like more business, financial decisions and skill.
V.25: She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
I just wanna point out two words here:
Strength and
dignity.
V.26: When she speaks her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
So not only is she smart but she is wise. She also gives INSTRUCTIONS and not only does she GIVE INSTRUCTION but she does it NICELY. :-D
V.27-29: She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in this world but you surpass them all!"
So this is her husband who is praising her! She's not lazy, and she has to keep watch of everything that goes on in her household.
V.30-31: Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting...these words are so true. It can be hard for women to not put a lot of emphasis on their appearance. This verse has helped me because it reminds me that my looks are temporary and that I don't have to impress God with how I look. Do I have self essteem issues sometimes? yes. But this verse can usually bring me back down to earth.
In conclusion I think women should strive to be what was described in these verses: strong, independent, smart and loving. Being a Christian woman doesn't mean we have to be bimbos and this proves it.
What are your thoughts on this?
