Proverbs 31? What a checklist. All too often we consider the Proverbs 31 woman to be the ultimate—for all the wrong reasons.
How can I be raise my boys in the fear of the Lord if I don’t follow the checklist?
Untitled design (6)
Proverbs contrasts the voices of wisdom and folly, reminding us to choose wisdom. Sometimes we moms listen to God, the ultimate wisdom, and other times we focus more on the folly—the shouts of the world—that drown Him out.
If we see Proverbs 31 as a checklist of cooking, cleaning, working, and helping people that makes us worthy, we’re listening to the folly of the world.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10 and 15:33). Paul reminds us that Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
What is the crowning achievement of the woman in Proverbs 31? Look at verse 30.
“…but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
Fearing the Lord is her first priority, and that leads us right back to the gospel, for Jesus is the wisdom of God.
This excellent woman’s heart is centered in Jesus.
Yes, she cooks and cleans and changes diapers, but she lives her life in light of the gospel. That list represents everything ordinary and mundane that a mom does—and she strives to live that life with the Lord at the center.
She lives an ordinary life, not unlike the life of her Lord. He was born in a lowly state, to common parents, in a less than glamorous town; in fact, he was crucified as a common criminal.
But He had purpose, and so does this woman.
Instead of seeking perfection by the world’s standards—with the Pinterest-inspired house—she lives a gospel life depending on Him, for He is sufficient.
Yes, she struggles.
She loses it.
She’s not perfect.
But He is, and His righteousness covers her.
In response, she lives a life of purpose for Him, strengthened by Him. That purpose spills over on everyone around her.
So, toss the checklist.
Put Jesus at the center of all the ordinary and let Him shine through you.
Prayer for the day: Father, You are my perfection. Help me to remember that and to step away from my own efforts. Give me Your strength, Father, to live a life that points my boys to You.
Personal study questions:
1. What is the hardest thing on your own performance checklist for you to give up? Ask God to help you let go.
2. What is one mundane, ordinary task of mothering that you can thank God for today?
3. What is one specific thing you can do every day to center your heart and mind in Christ?
Yes…and no. Proverbs 31 is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted passages of Scripture. It was never meant to be a checklist. When you look at the original Hebrew language and Jewish tradition of “a woman of valor” (translated Eshet Chayil), it is a song that husbands sing over their wives to CELEBRATE their collective awesomeness. It’s not at all a directive. She rises early and feeds her family? Eshet Chayil! She considers a field and buys it? Eshet Chayil! Or, like me yesterday – she removes a hairball the size of a small animal from the bathroom drain and does not throw up? Eshet Chayil! We have got to stop using this passage as a bludgeon and remember to celebrate all the things we are and all the things we do.
Jen Hatmaker and Rachel Held Evans explain this much more eloquently:
http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/12/21/women-of-valor-pinterest-aside
(RHE writes an entire chapter on Proverbs 31 in her book “A Year of Biblical Womanhood,” which I highly recommend.)
So thank you, Laura, for reminding us that Jesus alone gives us purpose and value. I hope my comment encourages us further, and that we can raise our sons to celebrate the women in their lives.
YES! It was never meant to be a checklist. Thanks, Jennifer.