Today
brings us to the end of the book of Proverbs. I wonder which has been your
favourite proverb? Or the one that’s had most impact on you? Is there one
you’ve memorised and say to yourself?
‘The wife
of noble character’ (v10-31) is a well known passage - and seemingly
impossible. Even the most capable multi-tasking woman struggles to be devoted
to her household and run her own
business and have a ministry of
giving to the poor and bring up her
children well! The purpose of this description isn’t to make today’s already
over-stretched working mothers feel inadequate. It’s to paint a picture of an
ideal - a woman who lives out all the previous proverbs. It’s a way of saying,
“Come on everyone, women and men, let’s put this all into practise now.”
I’m
struck by how her husband (v11) and her children (v28-29) praise her so
effusively - not for her beauty and charm, but because she fears the Lord
(v30). In fact, everyone is called to honour and praise her (v30-31). As you
look around your friends and family, who most characterises the woman / man of
noble character? When did you last praise them for that?
I find
verses 8 and 9 equally challenging: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for
themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Who do you need to speak up for
today?
(member of ordained
staff)