Vs. 17: "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."
Good thing this does not mean you have to be a 300 lb body builder with muscles the size of Texas in order to be a Proverbs 31 woman! (pretty sure everyone would be like "welp, see ya Shae!" haha. It also does not mean she is like Spongebob, who can't lift two small teddy bears on a stick. (yes, I did just refer to a Spongebob episode). It's saying she is ready for her tasks and works hard! She is known as someone who works diligently for the Lord in whatever she does. She is not given a single task where she half-heartily completes it. She is not someone who is lazy all the time, but a diligent worker who strives to do things right-not half-heartily.
Vs. 18: "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."
She does not indulge in sleep. She has a much sweeter sleep since her day is productive. Let's just say her favorite song is not "we are the pirates, who don't do anything, we just stay home and lie around" haha.
Vs. 19: "In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers."
A distaff is a staff that was used to hold the wool, which is then twisted into thread and wound on the spindle. This is another example of a hard worker who creatively uses what she can get to provide for her and her family.
Vs. 20: "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."
Being a Proverbs 31 woman does not look like someone who constantly seeks the approval of those who can repay her, but those whom she knows have nothing to repay her back with. She does not seek the reward but only to bless those around her. "She loves the poor, not in word or tongue, but also in deed and in truth."-1 John 3:16-18 LOVE TAKES ACTION. She sees needs and does something about it. When it says poor in this verse, it isn't just talking about in riches, but poor in spirit also. She mentors those around her and builds others up in Christ.
Vs. 21: "When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothes in scarlet."
Many times people look at the Proverbs 31 woman and think she is way too busy and never has time. But take a look at this verse-She has NO fear. She is not stressed out with things that need to get done. Since she is diligent, she is not stressed and always at peace. Her family is clothed in scarlet. Back then, scarlet was a nice material. You may be thinking this is contrary to a previous verse which talked about her not being a financial burden. This is most definitely not contrary because remember, she made a lot of her fabric with her own hands and buys and sells it. Also, many think the Proverbs 31 woman is someone who spends no money on clothes and wears nasty drab clothing that is not attractive. WRONG. She is not a financial burden, but still dresses nicely and modestly. Her family wears attractive clothing, but they do not spend an excessive amount of money on them.
Vs. 22: "She makes covering for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple."
I began to look up how the purple linen was made, and came across this: the purple dye came from a shellfish that was broken in order to get a small gland which was removed and crushed. The milky fluid becomes purple when exposed to air. Remember, she made it herself so it was not at the cost of her family's finances.
Vs. 23: "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."
Sitting at the city gate was a respected position of men who were like judges. Boaz was one of these men for his city (Ruth 4:1). His wife supports him and respects him as she takes care of household affairs so he is able to continue his work without stress to provide for his family.
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