Friday, February 7, 2014

Far Above Rubies

What is the value of a woman?
What is she worth to me?
In Proverbs 31:10-30 Solomon speaks of the value of a woman:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The money or trade of the world doesn't determine her value, she is far more costly and expensive than a king's ransom, or all the gold on Earth.

What is her real value?  Using the verses of proverbs, we will discuss what the world thinks her value is, and then what God thinks.
 
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She is trustworthy because her heart is with her husband, not set on the things of the world so he doesn't have to steal to bring her stuff. But this is still NOT where her value lies.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She is a blessing, a true helpmeet. Not just giving him what he wants, but rather helping him to grow and be better. Yet, this is NOT her true worth.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Her value is NOT in what she can do. If she can do nothing with her hands she is not diminished.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Her value is NOT in making exotic foods.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Her value is NOT in getting up early and feeding her family.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Her value is NOT in her business acumen, nor in her ability to make money.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Her value is NOT in her muscular strength.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Her value is NOT in her ability to stay up all night to take care of her things.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Her value is NOT in clothing herself or her family.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Her value is NOT found in her charitable acts.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Her value is NOT in dressing her family warmly.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her value is NOT in being well-dressed.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her value is NOT in making her husband famous, or advancing his business.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Her value is NOT in doing her own business, making her own money.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Her value is NOT in her strength or the honors of men.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Her value is NOT in kind or wise speech.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her value is NOT in her work ethic.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Her value is NOT found in the praise of her family.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
The woman who can do all these things is doing well, but her value as a daughter of God is so much greater than this.

Favour is deceitful,
The value of her abilities, talents, and favors does NOT show her worth. It is deceiving. It causes us to look on the outside of her, as if she were a business that can provide us with what we need, money, wealth, food, clothing, and the things of the world. She can do all these wonderful things and be the most gracious host and take care of all the business of a household, but this doesn't even come close to revealing her value.

and beauty is vain:
A woman doesn't have to be beautiful on the outside. Vanity is that which has no value, useless, or worthless. Her beauty doesn't belie her value.

but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
A woman doesn't need to do anything in order to have value -- only to fear the Lord. She doesn't need to please others. She doesn't need to do all the wonderful things listed above. She has intrinsic value as a daughter of God. Her value is in her closeness to the Lord. She is loved, praised, honored, and valued simply because she is an Eternal being. 

Because she fears the Lord, my wife is part of me. She is my heart. She is beloved, and I glory in her because she completes me and makes me whole, complete, and perfect. She doesn't complete my sentences or fill the gaps in my personality or intelligence. She fills the void in my heart. Without her I am nothing, not because of what she does, but rather because of what she is to me. Together we are Eternal. Love is forever, and is not dependent on abilities or beauty. I love her with all my heart. Her value is far above rubies.

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