The Way
The Lamp That Does Not Go Out
A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised
Story
My son, we're home at last. It's this late, and your mother's lamp is still burning. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers hold the spindle. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
Who can find a woman of noble character? Her worth is far above pearls. Her husband's heart trusts in her, and the household lacks nothing. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. My son, did you hear Wisdom calling today? Now let's put out the lamp and sleep. When dawn comes, Wisdom will call us again.
Walk this scene on the map →Sayings
Who can find a woman of noble character? Her worth is far above pearls. Her husband's heart trusts in her, and the household lacks nothing.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Prov 31:10–31
Background
Proverbs 31:10–31 is a poem in which each line begins with the next of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Women in ancient Israel spun thread from wool and flax and wove cloth to make clothes for the family. Proverbs begins with 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge' (1:7) and ends with 'a woman who fears the Lord' (31:30).
Pause and Reflect
Am I taking for granted the work of someone who is always there for me?