Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
This is a portrait of a mother. There was an artist named James Whistler who was not famous at all until he did an oil painting of his mother. When deciding to name it he did not give it her name; he simply called it “Whistler’s Mother.” This was what she was to him-his mother. Since then she has become known all over the world. It is regarded as a masterpiece.
Proverbs 31 is God’s portrait, his masterpiece that defines a woman. Lemuel wrote this portrait of what a mother and true woman are. None of us are perfect. God wants us to be what he wants. The perfection lies in the quality of our desire for God. This is what makes a virtuous mother, father, or child.
God is drawing a portrait of us. Our deeds, thoughts, and actions are in his sight. If we drew a portrait of ourselves it may not match God’s. He paints the truth. We must consider how we are drawing our own life. God sees beyond my canvas; his is bigger than ours. He has a keener eye. If our painting does not agree with God’s then we don’t see the true picture of our life, heart, and soul.
There are three things to point out in Lemuel’s portrait.
- The portrait demonstrates faithful companionship. Verses 10, 11 and 18 say “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” This is a clear picture of a mother and her companionship to God’s words. A marriage is more than a having a spouse. You can’t be two separate people. The children can’t be separate or the function of the family won’t be correct. In order for the home to be what God wants, it is to be woman to husband and husband to woman, side by side. For there to be true motherhood or fatherhood a family must be one of friends. The home is about safety, trust, and forgiveness. It’s a relationship based on love not lust. No wonder we see family members killing each other. The home has lost its friendship. A man’s best friend should be his wife not his dog. Open your heart to your spouse and your children so they can open up to yours. Each is no better than the other. All have their place in the family unit. Work together. Be willing to give and receive. This is the hope for the world, our communities and our families. We must get along. When there is friendship the candle is always lit.
- The portrait demonstrates a nurturing person. Nurture means to personally attend to the needs of others. Verse 21 says “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” In this sense the Hebrew word for scarlet is a heavy double garment. This protects from the cold. She cares for and works double to make sure the needs are met. It takes more than a biological title to be a parent. The title is to be earned. Lots of parents could care less. A spouse is to be regarded as more than a “catch.” None of us are toys to be played with; we are not tools used to manipulate and use. We are to nurture. A parent is to be in charge of the children lest they grow up and try to be master of all. There must be discipline. We coddle and teach. We show the right way. We set a good example. Whether they show it or not, children count on us to provide this. We must be the portrait of a nurturing person.
- The portrait will show real beauty. Verse 30 says “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Our televisions push images of what Hollywood says is perfection. Be a certain size. Look a certain way. Recognize this: beauty if vain. The beauty and attractiveness of a person to God is godliness. It is the perfection in the eyes of God. Being right with God is his standard. Don’t follow the crowd or the style or the language of this world. If the world continues as it is, the people’s sins will destroy it. God won’t have to.
Look at your portrait. Is it lacking? If so, ask God what you need to do to improve it. Does your friendship, nurturing and real beauty in the family need to be worked on? Are you drawing a portrait that will be like God wants?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 