31:21-22
as above, so below
21. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
I never intended to write a commentary on this scripture, but I feel these verses necessitate further explanation.
When I read verse 21, I see two very distinct interpretations. This woman is “not afraid” of inclement weather for her household, because they are wearing scarlet? I could very easily see this meaning that she has sewn or woven suitable garments for her family, so she is not afraid because she is prepared. Upon second glance, this verse could also mean that she is not afraid for her future, because her family has what they need- money, food, clothing, shelter, etc- to survive. In the spirit of giving this verse the good ol’ college try in practical application, I have decided to pursue both interpretations.
I am notorious for not dressing appropriately for the weather. This isn’t to say I find myself in swimsuits in the winter- I shiver at the thought! However, I always find myself with either too many layers on, or not enough. I wear gloves and find myself perspiring, or I’m rubbing my hands together to avoid my nearly frostbitten fingers from going numb. Recently I left the house in a long raincoat, only to be met with people in shorts and vests because the sun was out! I live in the marvelous Pacific Northwest, where the weather is typically grey and gloomy, but around this time of year it can be incredibly variable. Not to out myself as a complete imbecile, but preparedness is an area of my life I am clearly lacking in.
Recently I complained (how very un-Christian of me, I know) to one of my close friends about how I keep forgetting this or that and wish I could be more prepared, especially on days where I go straight from work to an activity (the gym, youth group, bible study, etc). She made such a simple suggestion that I, admittedly, felt a bit humbled. Why don’t I keep some items I may need in my trunk? Extra pair of socks, a hairbrush, perhaps a spare change of clothes… The advice was so basic that it would have been foolish to ignore it. To Target I went, and sure enough, within a day or two I found myself needing an item or two from my new go-bag.
Beyond preparedness in the practical sense, a point that needs to be acknowledged about this woman is her (or her family’s) strong decision-making skills. This brings the post to the second interpretation- she is in a marriage where she knows she does not have to be concerned about her partner’s ability to provide for her family. She knows that her husband works hard, and because of that she can afford to dress her family appropriately and, as cold weather dictates, warmly. This marriage was likely not a choice she personally made, but one that was chosen for her as an advantageous union. Whatever it lacks in romance, the security it offered this woman enabled her not only to survive, but to thrive.
In this day and age, in the “western” world, a woman who chooses an auspicious partnership is liable to be accused of being self-serving. In the time and circumstance Proverbs 31 was written in, the greatest thing a woman could aspire to was a beneficial marriage. She who makes her and her family’s bedding is clothed not in rags, but in the finest garments that she can afford. This is not due to pride- her value is not found in her clothing. Craftiness becomes her, as does practicality. She makes and purchases what will last, because it is within her best interest.
I adhere to a modest style. I exclusively wear dresses and skirts, and as a result I have been met with a multitude of comments about my appearance. Recently, many of those comments have been thoughtless, bordering on impolite. I am very frugal when it comes to making purchases, so when I intend to use something regularly I tend to purchase a higher quality item that I can get a good amount of use from. I recently purchased a garment that I had been neglecting to buy for some time. It was something essential for my lifestyle, and something I intend to get many years of use out of. I was met with a number of insensitive comments about this item and how it wasn’t necessarily the most fashionable thing I could have purchased.
If I valued these opinions (which I truly do not), perhaps I would return it and buy something less expensive or more on-trend with current styles. But as I look at this item hanging in my closet, I know that I made the right choice. Not only because it suits my shape, lifestyle, and needs, but because I made a choice to be Proverbs 31 woman. This woman. This means that I must do what is best, not what is appealing. It means that I make important choices now that will have a positive impact on my future, and not indulge in lackadaisical inaction. The woman I am trying to embody is not one who is unprepared for the unexpected, nor one who marries a man only because he is fun or interesting, and she certainly does not waste resources on trivial things.
My prayer for the upcoming month as I continue on this journey is that I act and behave in a way that honors the Lord. The choice to pursue virtuosity, to read and understand and live out Proverbs 31 has always been an extension of my desire to deepen my relationship with Him. She fears Him, and in that respect she earned herself a chapter.