I am starting on the first chapter of my Bible study on the Proverbs 31 woman. I am using a study guide, so the questions asked come from that. But, I give my own answers and opinions.
Read "A Rare Treasure - Her Character". How did this chapter encourage you?
I'm not really sure how it encouraged me. I guess it was encouraging in the sense that it was showing us how God wants us to be. As well as stating that it isn't going to be easy fulfilling God's idea of beauty, but it will be worth it.
I really like the fact that there are verses in the Bible that state specifically what God wants in a woman. It's so easy for someone to say that this or that is godly or ungodly just based on their interpretation of Scripture or opinions. But, to know that there are verses you can look at to make sure you are on the right path towards godliness is very reassuring. You aren't just thrown out there expected to keep yourself afloat and hope you do it right so the sharks don't eat your legs. You are given a life raft, a paddle, and food and water to eat and drink along the way.
How did it challenge you?
It challenged me by giving me ways to help me accomplish the goal of being beautiful in God's sight. It gave instructions or helpful hints (so to speak). And because of those instructions, I can't slack off and say that I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing. I can't use the excuse that I didn't have anyone to learn from or any plan in place. That's the sort of thing I need. I need accountability. I have a tendency to be very driven about something for a very short period of time. Then, I filter off and lose sight of my goals or claim they are too difficult to achieve. When asked why they are too difficult, I claim that I had no guidance, no accountability, no instructions, no path to follow. This chapter gives those things to me, with the exception of the accountability.
What ideas were new to you or showed you an area you need to pay more attention to?
I can't say it is new to me, but one thing that this chapter helped me understand more deeply was that change doesn't happen overnight. At least not typically. That the character of the Virtuous Woman portrayed in Proverbs 31 developed over time. She didn't wake up one day and decide to change and then BAM! everything was better. Another thing I didn't really think about too much, but was brought to better light was the idea of memorizing Scripture. I went to seminary. So, I know that you should memorize Scripture. And while I was in college, I did. But once I got away from that Christian scene and went into real life, my life just took over and I didn't see the necessity of memorizing anymore. Though the Scripture never says that the Virtuous Woman memorized Scripture, it does say that there was wisdom in her words and kindness on her tongue. I believe that wisdom doesn't just come from experience, but from God as well. In the context of the verse, I believe that you can also use the word discernment.
Read through Proverbs 31:10-31, God's portrait of the kind of woman who is beautiful in His eyes. Jot down the character traits you see in her.
She is loyal
She is creative
She is diligent
She is compassionate
She is thrifty
She is courageous and strong
She is godly
Why do you think this portrait is in the Bible?
I believe this portrait is in the Bible because God knows how difficult women who have it without some sort of blue print to live by. I also believe that God knew that it would become so easy for women to live by rules and regulations that they would lose sight of their character. Because looking at when this was written, the Levitical Law was what the men and women lived by, it would be easy for a woman to just think she is godly because she lives by the letter of the law and not give thought to her character.
Which is your favorite verse and why?
I cannot pick just one.
vs. 13 "She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight."
I like this verse because she is out there looking for the best threads in order to make the best garments that she can. Linen, which is an expensive fabric is made from flax fibers. So, knowing that fact leads me to believe that she is looking for flax in order to make linen. I also like this verse because it says that she works with her hands in delight. So easily I complain about the housework I have to do. Or I do it with a slight attitude. But the Virtuous Woman is happy to do the work.
vs. 17 "She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong." I like this verse because I believe that the Virtuous Woman isn't afraid of exercise. I believe it means that she takes care of her body because she knows that if she is weak or sick, she is not able to properly run her household.
vs. 27 "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." This one is a good one because I have a tendency to be idle. I walk around the house and see plenty to do, but I sit my bottom down at the computer and waste time. The Virtuous Woman is good at running her household. I highly doubt she gets behind on laundry or dishes.
Which is the most challenging verse to you and why?
vs. 11-12 "The hear of her husband trusts in her. And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
These verses are very challenging to me because I know that I spend a lot of money. I love to shop! And sometimes I wonder if I spend a bit too much and my husband worries about when my next shopping spree will come. There are times when he asks me specifically to stick to the list or how much I'm planning on spending. He knows that I am loyal to him, but I wonder how much he trusts me to not be impulsive. Also, though I consider myself to be submissive, I find it difficult to be respectful all the time. I try not to tear him down, but I know that I do it more often than I should. I am doing him evil by disrespecting him and not encouraging him as much as I should. So, these verses are very challenging to me in this manner.
This is the close of part one. As it turns out the study guide chapters are very long. There are still 3 more sections of questions as well as a practical application section to go.
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