Monday, November 2, 2009

Week Six of "dare to be different..."

This week we're looking at Proverbs 31:10-31---That IMPOSSIBLE Proverbs 31 woman!

Keep this in mind as you read...King Solomon wrote the Proverbs for his son. He had 300 wives and 700 concubines (also considered his wives).

Now, with 1000 wives, this is a compilation of the best of all their qualities! We'll look at each verse this week, and see how this impossible woman is truly possible. Trust in Him! He'll reveal this truth for us!

Lord, be with us as we tackle what we think is impossible! Helps us to trust that with YOU all things are possible! Matthew 19:26. Amen!

5 comments:

  1. Would you like helps for this study? I have put together both the study questions and a facilitator's guide. Look at the Tea Time page on www.faithlikeateapot.com.

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  2. Lee Ann,

    Sorry for not being here the last 2wks... How would youlike me (us) to answer this weeks discussion. I am looking over the verse now... HUGS and send you prayers.

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  3. Maria, I pray you've enjoyed your husband being home! :-)

    For now, just read the verses in Proverbs 31:10-31. Write down what you think might seem impossible, and what you think might be possible. We'll begin to look at each verse as the week goes on.

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  4. Let's start to look at this "impossible" woman!

    Verse 10 says (in the Amplified Version) that a capable and virtuous woman is hard to find and more precious than rubies or pearls. What might this mean to us? How might we interpret Solomon's desire in the "perfect" wife?

    Perhaps what he's trying to share with his son is that a woman's character is priceless! What is your character like? Is it more precious than rubies or pearls?

    Verse 11 speaks to his trust of her, and that he can confidently rely on her and believe in her. Because of her character and his trust in her, he has no need to cheat or some how find extra money to support her (remember--he has 1000 women he's tending to!) Can your husband trust you? Can he rely on you to be there for him? Does he believe in you as a person of character--solid and firm in your foundation of faith--as his wife?

    Verse 12 says that she encourages him, comforts him, and does him only good so long as she has life. Do you encourage your husband? Do you comfort him when he is afraid, or insecure, or angry? Do you do him only good without undermining him or his authority in your home?

    Do you see how the "impossible" woman IS possible? If we look at each verse of Proverbs 31:10-31 we can begin to look at what Solomon is trying to share with his son.

    Let me know what you think of the verses as you focus on the intent of Solomon's meaning, and not the literal interpretation of his written word. We'll do a couple more verses tomorrow.

    Praying as you grow!
    Lee Ann

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  5. Let's pick up where we left off last week with Verse 13...

    Verse 13 says that she seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands to develop it. I had a black wool skirt when I was in 3rd grade. I STILL had that black wool skirt when I graduated from high school! Wool wears like iron!!! Perhaps what Solomon means by this verse is that we seek out those things that are lasting and of quality? Not impulse purchases which won't be there next week, or impulse actions that won't have a lasting impact.

    Verse 14 talks about her bringing her foodstuffs from afar and that she is loaded like the merchant's ships from far away. What in the world might this mean to me??!! Maybe what King Solomon meant for us to hear is that we can seek out that which is good, finding that by searching for the good, we fill ourselves and our household with that very good that we have sought? Maybe what he's trying to encourage in us is that we fill ourselves with things that are of value!

    Verse 15 talks about rising before everyone else, and assigning tasks to her maids. I should HAVE maids! I'd be humble and settle for just one! :-) Truly what might this mean to us? I think one way I do it is to make my husband's coffee the night before in that nifty programmable coffee pot which brews it just before he gets up. It shows that my heart is with him even if I'm not quite out of bed yet! ;-)

    Verse 16 speaks to us about thoughtfully considering a field before we purchase it, not neglecting our other duties. And THEN (as if this isn't enough impossibility!) we're to plant a vineyard in it...yeah, right! lol How in Solomon's mind can this possibly relate to us now?

    I wonder if we mightn't consider it similarly to some of these other verses--that we put thought into that which we help to provide for the family. That we invest in Bible study to become more Christlike, bearing fruit in our spiritual growth.

    Verse 17 says a good woman "girds" herself up spiritually, mentally, and physically, making her arms strong and firm. Okay. Like I can do this at my age! Geesh! But, I can! I can tighten up my mind, I can get myself in shape spiritually and mentally. And I can physically be the best tabernacle I can be, housing the most Holy of Holies in the Holy Spirit!

    Verse 15 says I'm supposed to get up before dawn. Verse 18 says I'm supposed to stay up all night. Good gracious! When do I sleep? I think this verse really means that we're to pray...pray for our husbands, pray for our families, pray for those who are a part of our lives. And praise God for all that He gifts to us.

    Enough for today! Know that even if you haven't been at this for a while, God's Word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

    We'll look at more verses later. My love and prayers!

    Lee Ann

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