HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES
“HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES”
Proverbs 31: 10-31
Preached by: Carolyn Sissom
Mother’s Day, May 10, 2009
Today is the day when we “Honor our Mothers”. I am privileged to honor the great women of this church fellowship as well as my friends around the world. I give you my respect and honor as Virtuous Women.
In the Book of Proverbs, there are two women: The virtuous Woman and the Strange Woman of Proverbs 7. There are two kinds of minds as well as two kinds of churches, the freewoman and the bondwoman of Paul’s allegory in Galatians 4: 21-31.
The virtuous woman is a lady of some position, who has servants to mange and money to invest. As her husband’s trusted partner, she has sole responsibility in her domain, which extends beyond the house to the management of her lands and to dealings in the market, where she is a shrewd seller and a shrewd buyer. Her prosperity is not a means for self-indulgences but as a widening of her responsibilities. She is a tireless worker. There are the poor to help and the vicissitudes of life to meet forearmed.
It is an interesting study to compare the Virtuous woman with the strange woman, but not today as all of you ladies are honorable.
31:10: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
Virtuous means morally righteous, industrious, God-fearing, and strong in all moral qualities, strength, integrity, and wholeness.
This is a woman of Abraham’s seed, a woman of Faith. She is a woman of beauty, a freewoman and has the mind of Christ.
She is a good woman: 31:13-14:”She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.” (16) “She considers a field and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good; her candle goes not out by night. She lays her hand to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
She works diligently – “she works willingly with her hands (vs. 12, 15, and 19)
She contrives prudently – “She considers…and then buys. (v. 16).
She behaves uprightly – Strength and honor are her clothing.”
She is a Good wife: “The Heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
She seeks husband’s good - “She will do him good all the day of her life”
She keeps his confidence – “The heart of her husband does safely trust in her.”
She aids his prosperity – “Her husband is known among the elders of the land.”
She is a Good Mother: 31:15: “She rises while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” (Vs.21) “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” (Vs.27) “She looks well to the ways of her household and eats not the bread of idleness.”
She clothes family wisely – “All her household are clothed with scarlet.”
She feeds household well – “She rises and gives meat to her household.”
She shops sensibly – ““She brings her food from far.”
She is moving toward the perfect day. Her day beings at night.
She occupies herself with all areas of daily home life. Her interests are in her vineyard (her children, her husband, the local church and her livelihood). She leads in the way of righteousness.
She is a Good Neighbor: 31:20: “She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea she reaches forth her hands to the needy.”
She helps the poor – “She stretches out her hand to the poor.”
She uplifts the needs – “She reaches forth her hands to the needy.”
She speaks graciously – “In her tongue is the law of kindness.”
She is loving, kind, and strong, gracious, respected, sensible, understanding, diligent, sturdy and fruitful.
31:24: “She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Her value “Her price is far above rubies.”
Her Praise – “Her children arise and call her blessed.”
Se is a great teacher and dispenser of the Love of God.
Her Pre-eminence – “Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all”
She is an overcomer. She is the choice one – Song 6: 8-9.
Her secret – “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Her Reward – “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
Her day gets brighter, and her way is stable. (4:18) Hers is the path of the just. Her house dwells in safety and is quiet from fear of evil. She dwells with discernment, experience, and wise counsels. She furnishes (spreads) her table. Her ways bring health and healing. Her mouth is Wisdom. Her words are excellent things. She speaks kindly instruction, truth and righteousness.
Blessed are those who keep her ways. (8:32) Her path leads to happiness and the favor of the Lord. Her purpose is to increase days and years of life. (Prov. 9:11; 4:5-8) Her purpose will deliver a crown of glory. (4:9) her place is the building (the encouraging) of her house. (14:1) to hate her is to love death. (8:36)
She is a tree of life! (3:18)
She is confident because she knows that she has done well! Her prayer life; overcomes her circumstances.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from K.J.V. and study notes from Principles of Present Truth by: Sue Baird.