Post by messimom on Nov 19, 2005 12:46:29 GMT -8
My question here is for the women (although men aren't expressly exluded 
). I have posted the well known "Woman of Valor" from Proverbs 31:10-31. In this day and age, how does this translate to our modern issues and challenges?....last I checked I haven't acquired any fields to convert to vineyards. So, I was wondering what others' interpretations of some of these verses are for todays woman, wife, and mother. I have inserted my own abridged uneducated unsupported opinions in red.
10: A good 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. She is trustworthy with her husbands affairs, be it his heart or his money.
12: She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She will not attempt to purposefully harm him, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally.
13: She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She isn't afraid to do the dirty work with a smile on her face.
14: She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar. She doesn't settle for convienence, she does whats best for her family even if it means a journey.
15: She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. She gets up early to feed and prepare everyone for the day at hand, including the husbands who have to head out to fields in the early morning hours.
16: She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She is wise with her money.
17: She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. She is strong for all seasons, be it childbirth or holding a duying loved one in her arms.
18: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. Some say this means she is willing to have marital relations when asked. I say that could be, the first part of the verse indicating that she recognizes her beauty and allure and is willing to "share it" with her husband.
19: She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She doesn’t start something she’s not willing to follow through on.
20: She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. This one is fairly self evident.
21: She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes sure her family is well-prepared for the tough times.
22: She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. She is modest but cares about herself.
23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. It is known that her husband has a righteous wife and is not ashamed to sit among his peers. Also as she is fulfilling her responsibilities, it leaves the husband able to sit and study with his peers.
24: She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant. She is willing to help support the family when the need arises.
25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Again, fairly self evident. She is well-prepared for life and trusts in YHVH.
26: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She does not gossip or slander, rather lifts up and imparts wisdom.
27: She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. She is not lazy.
28: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Her actions are WORTHY of praise.
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. AMEN!
31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Her work will speak for her. Faith without works is dead.
I do not consider this interpretation to be extensive, but merely a starting point. Please feel free to add or dispute. I think this could help us all grow in our walks as mothers/wives/women with YHVH.
Shabbat Shalom
Messimom
). I have posted the well known "Woman of Valor" from Proverbs 31:10-31. In this day and age, how does this translate to our modern issues and challenges?....last I checked I haven't acquired any fields to convert to vineyards. So, I was wondering what others' interpretations of some of these verses are for todays woman, wife, and mother. I have inserted my own abridged uneducated unsupported opinions in red. 10: A good 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. She is trustworthy with her husbands affairs, be it his heart or his money.
12: She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She will not attempt to purposefully harm him, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally.
13: She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She isn't afraid to do the dirty work with a smile on her face.
14: She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar. She doesn't settle for convienence, she does whats best for her family even if it means a journey.
15: She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. She gets up early to feed and prepare everyone for the day at hand, including the husbands who have to head out to fields in the early morning hours.
16: She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She is wise with her money.
17: She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. She is strong for all seasons, be it childbirth or holding a duying loved one in her arms.
18: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. Some say this means she is willing to have marital relations when asked. I say that could be, the first part of the verse indicating that she recognizes her beauty and allure and is willing to "share it" with her husband.
19: She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She doesn’t start something she’s not willing to follow through on.
20: She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. This one is fairly self evident.
21: She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes sure her family is well-prepared for the tough times.
22: She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. She is modest but cares about herself.
23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. It is known that her husband has a righteous wife and is not ashamed to sit among his peers. Also as she is fulfilling her responsibilities, it leaves the husband able to sit and study with his peers.
24: She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant. She is willing to help support the family when the need arises.
25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Again, fairly self evident. She is well-prepared for life and trusts in YHVH.
26: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She does not gossip or slander, rather lifts up and imparts wisdom.
27: She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. She is not lazy.
28: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Her actions are WORTHY of praise.
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. AMEN!
31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Her work will speak for her. Faith without works is dead.
I do not consider this interpretation to be extensive, but merely a starting point. Please feel free to add or dispute. I think this could help us all grow in our walks as mothers/wives/women with YHVH.
Shabbat Shalom
Messimom
I think points11,13, 16 says she's entrusted to make some of the financial decisions for the household. Her husband couldn't do everything at once and no doubt it was important for her to be trustworthy and reliable. Point 15 suggests it was her responsibility not only to provide food but to manage the household staff. 
