After deciding to spend the month of October studying, exploring, and displaying the book of Proverbs 31, my mind sort of exploded. But I liked it. My heart swelled and my thoughts gained momentum in a really exciting, dangerous way. There are so many writing possibilities here, so much potential learning to do! Can I please have more than one month?
Here are just a few of the very meaty topics
that are begging to be covered:
- Have you ever noticed that this thirty-first chapter of Proverbs also has thirty one verses? Is there any significance to that?
- Who are the speakers and what is the context? What was going on in history at this time?
- What is the difference between a proverb and a fable?
- Did you know that some theologians argue that this book, though traditionally understood to be instructive to women, might actually bend toward instruction to the church? This is at least consistent with the New Testament analogy of Christ’s bride. Hmm.
- Fascinating advice on dealing with the poor, defenseless, and underprivileged.
- I have never owned a ruby. What ARE they worth?
- How can the modern woman translate the resourcefulness of the Proverbs 31 woman? I mean, we don’t really have flax to work. Wait, what is flax again?
- Food management and nutrition in an extreme couponing, fast food culture: How do we strike the balance and please God?
- Real Estate. Hmm.
- Strength of body versus vanity in an image-obsessed but wildly healthless culture. (Has there ever before been such a paradox for women?)
- Charity.
- Household preparedness:. Winter is Coming.
- Significance of the colors scarlet & purple, of silk & tapestries.
- Husband’s reputation.
- Contributions to the family/ marriage by way of her skills.
- Bread of Idleness: REALLY interesting how this interacts with the Biblical importance of leavening, both Old and New Testaments.
- Excellence: WOW.
- Favor & beauty: Some people call these evil, but is that what is actually says?
- The ways of Her Household: Mind Yer Beeswax.
What I can say with certainty is that this book is a timeless source of inspiration for women across the centuries, in every walk of life and every “religion.” Writers have always had a lot to say about these few dozen sentences, so I guess I am I just late to an awesome party.
So….. regardless of how much or how little I manage to accomplish with this October study, the obvious fact remains that it will be insufficient. This can only be a springboard study, but it can still be nourishing.
I hope that whatever your path is right now, you give Proverbs 31 a glance, at least a philosophical one, and share your thoughts, you reactions, your personal experiences. I think Truth grooves this kind of networking. Please share your thoughts and insights in the comments. I would love to spark an exchange and really make some spiritual progress here!
This month of study will be well spent.
