When I was a Senior in Bible College my mother went home
to be with Lord. She had trusted Christ with me 3 months earlier. She was 49. I
was asked by my dad to do the funeral, this was the first funeral I had done. That
was 33 years ago, yet I still find that the impact my mother had on me
continues. She did not become a believer until late in life, but due to the era
she grew up in, she held many Biblical views that she brought me up with. As
Mother’s day approaches let’s consider what characteristics a godly mother has.
Proverbs 31:10–31 Who can find a
virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her
husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She
brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds
wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare
breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a
vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic
leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to
the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she
laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are
wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully
watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There
are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
A Chinese Proverb: Ten henpecked husbands formed
themselves into a sworn society for resisting the poisonous oppression of their
wives. At the first meeting they were sitting, talking over their pipes and
wine when suddenly the ten wives, who had got wind of the movement, appeared on
the scene. There was a general stampede, and nine of the husbands incontinently
bolted like rats through a side door, only one remained unmoved to face the
music. The ladies merely smiled contemptuously at the success of their raid,
and went away. The nine husbands then agreed that the bold tenth man, who had
not run away, should be appointed their president; but on coming to offer him
the post, they found that he had died of fright! [1]
We all need to laugh at life, but it is also important to learn
from it. Proverbs 31:10-31 has some tremendous insight about the impact of a
godly woman.
One of the first qualities is that this woman is Mature –
which is clearly expressed in her character.
Maturity is defined: Full grown, fully developed
Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous
and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
This same word “capable" is found in Ex.18:21
But select from
all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint
them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
Maturity is seen in someone being able to handle life with
balance, a person that can be competent to deal with life’s
curves and situations. This kind of wife is more valuable than material things.
She is the true treasure!
Proverbs 31:12
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Notice the consistency in her life. This does not mean she does
not fail, we are all human, but a mature human, when they do fail, they are
consistent to make it right.
Proverbs 31:26 When
she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
Someone mature knows how to communicate. They speak with
wisdom, which means they give applied knowledge, i.e. not just the facts but how
to use those facts. They also give their instruction with kindness – one
of the clearest marks of true kindness is “timing”. Often it's not how we say something,
it is when we say it that causes problems.
One of the greatest preachers ever was Dr. G. Campbell
Morgan. He had four sons. They all became ministers. At a family reunion, a friend
asked one of the sons, “Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?” While the son
looked at the father, he replied, “Mother!”[2]
We will continue through this wonderful Proverb, but
first let’s look at the description of maturity and ask ourselves how do we
measure up?
[1]
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700
illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations
for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible
Communications.
[2]
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700
illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations
for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible
Communications.
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