A Tribute to Women (Proverbs 31:10-31)
Big Idea: The Bible praises women for their faithfulness in family, career, community, and especially their godly character.
A mother was asked in a county clerk's office what her job is. She replied, "I am a mother." "Mother" was not an acceptable job description. So she wrote:
I'm…a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations… I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't?) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Master's (for a whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to agree?) and often I work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money.
It is 91 years since Mother's Day was first celebrated on May 10, 1908. The idea started with a woman named Anna Jarvis. Three years after her mother died on the second Sunday in May, she was so heartbroken that she invited friends over to honor the anniversary and suggested starting an annual celebration called Mother's Day.
She wrote to the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother had been a longtime member, proposing a service to honor mothers. On May 10, 1908, the first Mother's Day service took place in Grafton. The minister cited John 19:26-27, where Jesus tells his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
Miss Jarvis presented every mother in the congregation with a carnation, her own mother's favorite flower. The idea began to take off. The House of Representatives quickly passed a Mother's Day resolution, but it stalled in the Senate. Miss Jarvis began one of the most energetic letter-writing campaigns in history. She wrote to congressmen, mayors, business leaders, and ministers throughout the country. Before long, people everywhere began to celebrate an unofficial Mother's Day.
In 1914, the Senate approved the resolution, and President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. That’s not the end of the story. Anne Jarvis became disappointed in the commercialism of the occasion. She began to launch lawsuit after lawsuit against any company that tried to profit from Mother’s Day. Her lawsuits all failed, she exhausted her savings, lost her home, and was forced to seek public assistance. In 1948, she died a childless and unhappy recluse.
Let's be thankful for Anne Jarvis and Mother's Day. Those of us who still have our mothers with us, or are mothers themselves, realize how blessed we are. Many of us, whether our mothers are still with us or not, would love to give them one more carnation and take them out to dinner.
I agree with the author who wrote:
The Mom Ministry is one of the toughest assignments God ever gave anybody. She's got to be as insightful as a psychologist, tough as a marine corps drill instructor, gentle as a nurse. She's got to be a labor and management negotiator, a teacher, an electrician, a plumber and a carpenter. It requires an endless supply of energy, a massive amount of patience, an iron will and recognition of the fact that if she gets sick, she's got to get well before the end of the school day. (Norman Bales, All About Families Ministry)
And yet the ministry of motherhood has been derogated in recent decades. Many women pursue careers after becoming mothers, but it's troubling that motherhood is often viewed as a lesser role.
Dr. Grace Ketterman writes:
Perhaps the most urgent need of our era is the restoration of the high value of godly mothering… Those of us who cherish biblical values must teach and practice them consistently. Those of us who are mothers must see that responsibility as a high privilege. We must reclaim our role as the shapers and supporters of the next generation of leaders and parents.
This morning is Mother's Day. We are going to pay tribute to our mothers. We are so grateful for the qualities that our mothers exemplify. But there are many women who are not mothers, and we want to pay tribute to them this morning. I'm not going to make the mistake of telling women how to be better women. What do I know about being a woman? But we're going to let the Bible this morning pay tribute to the women in our lives as it paints a lofty view of females.
The Bible teaches that men and women are equal in value and importance. When God created humans, he created both male and female in his image. Men and women were made equally in God's image, and both men and women reflect God's image in their lives. Scripture shows that men and women are equally important and valuable to God.
I get very angry when I hear some chauvinist men let on that they are somehow worth more because they are men. No one should feel superior or inferior based on their gender. The Bible states in Genesis 1 that God values males and females equally, as both are made in His image.
The Bible is also clear that there is an equality of God's people in the church. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Paul warned the Galatians against adopting cultural values that favored male superiority. Paul stated that men and women are equal before God and should value each other equally.
The Bible bestows great dignity on women. Jesus enjoyed friendships with women and treated them with great respect. Does this mean that there are no differences between men and women at all? I think that most of us would recognize that there are some fairly obvious differences between men and women. There are two schools of thought on this issue. Both recognize that women, Scripturally speaking, are equal before God. But one view teaches that men and women are equal and yet have different roles. That's a topic for another morning. But make no mistake: women and men are equal in personhood and importance.
The Bible is also clear that we should pay tribute to women, and that's what we're going to do this morning. 1 Peter 3:7 tells husbands to "bestow honor" on their wives, and Proverbs 31 is a beautiful picture of the honor given to a godly woman. Proverbs 31 honors a woman who finds fulfillment at home, in her community, and in her career. This passage doesn't limit women to one of these roles.
Now please understand that this passage isn't intended to place guilt on women or to create unrealistic expectations. In fact, no one person could fulfill the pattern given for us in Proverbs 31. Some Bible scholars see this passage as representing wisdom, embodying all the virtues found in Proverbs. Nevertheless, it also serves as a pattern for women to follow if they want to live lives of wisdom.
Some Praise
If you're a woman, please sit back and bask in the praise this morning. This isn't a Hallmark card. It's God's Word that is praising you. So enjoy it. Maybe you will be challenged by the passage to find fulfillment in another avenue in your life.
The noble woman is praiseworthy in her home.
Women, this morning we praise you because many of you have shown yourself praiseworthy in your homes. As a wife:
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.(Proverbs 31:10).
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12)
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown. (Proverbs 12:4)
There's hardly a day that goes by that I'm not aware of the value of a good wife. Charlene and I are like any couple. We have our good days, and we have our bad days. But not many days go by that I don't realize how privileged I am to have a wife like her. I am incredibly blessed, and it's worth even more as we consider that not everyone has this privilege. Men, if you are married, please value your wives. Your wives are precious, worth far more than rubies. Let her know today how much you value her. She is a precious gift.
As a mother, we also honor women who are mothers.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27)
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31:28)
It seems that everyone is blaming their parents for their problems. That's why I like the title of a book I saw: What My Parents Did Right. Let's honor our mothers for their provisions of love for us. When Winston Churchill was alive, an editor submitted a list of his teachers for his approval. Churchill returned the list to the editor, noting, "You forgot to mention my greatest teacher – my mother."
One woman wrote a letter to her child. This letter expresses what a mother gives to her child:
I give you my love, which means that I accept you, without reservations, just as you are and will be. I give you my personal presence in order that you will have the security you need during your childhood. I give you my ears, in the sense that I will never be too busy to listen to you – sometimes never uttering even one word. I give you opportunities to work so that you might learn to do it without shame and come to enjoy the satisfaction of work well done. I give you my counsel only when it is necessary or you ask for it so that you might avoid some of the mistakes I have made. I give you my consolation when you have failed or feel discouraged, but I will not always protect you from the consequences of your sins. I give you instructions in the way of the Lord so that when you are old, you will never depart from it. I give you my daily prayers that the Lord will keep you and guide you in such a way that you, my child, will be a man or woman who will serve and glorify our Heavenly Father. This I give you with all my love.
Your Mother,
Lydia Lightner
As Proverbs 31:28 says, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Let's praise the women here for what they have done in our homes. There really is no higher contribution that anyone can make than in the life of a child. As children and husbands, we applaud you.
The noble woman is also praiseworthy in her community.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
The image shows a compassionate woman known for her strength, dignity, and wisdom as a loving counselor. Her interests reach beyond the confines of her home. She cares for the needs of other people. The passage acknowledges that women are a vital part of the community as a whole. In the church, in neighborhoods and communities, we appreciate the contributions of women.
Today we have books identifying that men and women are different in fundamental ways. Women are from one planet, and men are from another one. Of course, men get to be the ones from Mars. We need to recognize that women bring to the church community something that men can't bring. We need to honor their contribution.
Let's look at another area of praise for the noble woman. This one might surprise you.
The noble woman is also praiseworthy in her career.
She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber...
She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
(Proverbs 31:13-19, 24)
Proverbs 31 pictures a working woman. A large amount of her work appeared to be over her home. It appears that her house was a large one that required a lot of supervision. This woman oversaw the provision of food and clothing; she made the choices, worked with her hands. She made wise investments from her earnings. And it even appears that she made some money, as was common in that day, engaging in the trade of fine linens.
Many people think that the ideal woman according to the Bible is servile, retiring, and domestic. But look at this woman: she's an excellent wife and mother. But she's also a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer, and merchant. Proverbs 31 praises a noble woman who is a good wife, mother, community member, and career woman.
Not all women choose to have careers, but about 60% of Canadian women over the age of 25 do hold jobs. But for those of you who have made this choice, don't succumb to those who try to impose guilt on you for having work outside the home. The housewife's role only came into existence during the Industrial Revolution. In fact, for almost all of history until World War II, women did have careers. We should honor women who balance home responsibilities and work, as shown in Proverbs 31.
Finally, the noble woman is also praiseworthy spiritually.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30) The woman who lives for God is worthy of praise. Some of the most spiritual people I have known have been women. And we praise them for it.
Applications
Let's make a few applications as we close.
Let's give proper honor to the women in our lives.
We should recognize women as equal partners in God's grace and show our appreciation for them. "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:31) Let's give women their due and show our appreciation to them for their roles. Not just in the home, but in our communities and in their careers. Have you done this today? If your mother is still alive, have you thanked her and praised her today? If you have a wife, have you told her how much you appreciate her?
Let's strive to apply what these women have taught us.
Let's consider their example and imitate them if they have been good examples. Let's learn from the woman of Proverbs 31 and try to emulate her. She is respected by her family and community, a success in her career, and she is spiritually sound. How are you and your family? Could you learn anything from the woman in Proverbs 31? How is your impact in the community? How is your spiritual life? Do you know God and fear him like the woman in Proverbs 31?
Let's look at our life's bottom line.
Envision the words we want others to say at our funeral and live to inspire those eulogies. Women couldn't do badly to try to live the life of Proverbs 31. As we see Proverbs 31, we think of the bottom line of our lives. Not just success in a career or community or home, but balance and success and respect.
When all is said and done, this woman is commendable not for her charm or beauty, but because, according to verse 30, she fears the Lord. We live in a day in which physical appearance counts for everything. Yet in this passage, her appearance is never mentioned. Her strength comes entirely from her character.
Women, we are grateful for you. And most of all, we are grateful for those of you who are following Christ, and who have the wisdom that comes from following him. We applaud your strong character, your great wisdom, your many skills, and great compassion. The only way to embody these characteristics is to follow Jesus Christ. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).
