Verse 21 (NLT)
She has no fear of winter for her household,
For everyone has warm clothes.
I learned a new appreciation for verse 21 after our Pastor’s wife, Joy, enlightened myself on ‘fear’, ‘winter’ and ‘scarlet’ on verse 21.
She has no fear of winter for her household.
Winter: the cold, blustery winds that howl at us (trials, situations and tribulations)
Without realizing it, we can create a fearful environment for our family. Our family can sense when we are distracted or not focused, whether we verbalize it to them or not, they know something is causing fear. So whether it’s our intention or not, if we are anxious or unsure about a situation, we are creating an environment that causes ‘fear’.
In the NKJV it says, “…For all her household is clothed with scarlet.”
For everyone has warm (scarlet) clothes: we are covered by the blood of Jesus.
The Proverbs 31 wife is calm because of her trust in GOD, she has been saved by the blood of Christ. She believes that HE will provide and her prayers will be answered. She creates an environment of hope and peace that can keep her family warm during those wintery storms.
Verse 25 (NLT)
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
And she laughs without fear of the future.
The NKJV uses the words “strength and honor” instead of “strength and dignity”. My Bible shows the Hebrew word (
hadar), used for Honor, which is translated to splendor, honor, glory, adornment, magnificence, beauty. According to the use of this word, we are clothed with characteristics, all the world desires, we have something in us, that many will seek out. Why should we be able to laugh at the future? Because we are not afraid, if God is for us, who can be against us (see
Romans 8:31)? Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” What confidence it shows when we are able to laugh in the face of adversity, that is true strength! In Psalm 126:2 “
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “what amazing things the LORD has done for them.” We are called to be a light unto the world, how much more can we shine our light, when we have joy, a smile on our face, and laughter, regardless of the situation we are in; the world will look at us and want to know why we are different.
Verse 26 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindess.
Proverbs is filled with instances with our words bringing life and death, but it’s not only the words we say, it’s how we say those words. Sarcasm or throwing in “I was only kidding “, can cut as deep and as disheartening as a hurtful word. Other translations substitute, ‘her words are wise’, with ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom”. Proverbs 17:28, Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. How many times do we say something and then wish we could take back those words, wisdom can be just restraining ourselves and holding our tongues. Wisdom is not based on how many college degrees you aquire, the Bible often refers to 'fools' as those who do not acknowledge GOD and that Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).
Verse 27 (NLT)
She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
Verse 27 shows us that the wife’s role in the home, she is the manager of the home. Watches (tsaphah, Hebrew) is also translated, “watchman”. What does a watchman do, they are always on the lookout, always vigilant, and always keeping an eye out for anything that might cause harm, and not just the physical, but emotional and spiritual as well. A wife that watches ahead; thinks about what this decision or action will cause now, but also, what might this choice cause down the road? Will this be good for the future or might it cause repercussions? Proverbs 24:27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. This is not the same as worry, this is using wisdom, being prepared and not making a ‘foolish’ mistake. If you noticed, I put the word ‘always’ in front of those examples for a watchman, why, because the Proverbs 31 woman doesn’t suffer from laziness, she is the manager of her household and she is ALWAYS on guard!