Saturday, August 20, 2011

Chapter 4 {An Unfailing Prize}


HER CONTRIBUTION
"So that he shall have no need of spoil"
Proverbs 31:11b

Along with the virtues that a Proverbs 31 possesses, the financial contribution she makes to her family is invaluable to her family and to her husband.  Because she herself is an unfailing prize, her husband "shall have no need of spoil."
She {E.G.} explains:

A Military Prize--The word "gain" derives its significance from the cultural setting of Proverbs.  In those days when one army defeated another, the winning ruler and his soldiers carried off the spoils of war.  These spoils were the prizes of war and comprised of wealth in a time when there was no coinage.

A Peaceful Prize--Wealth could also be obtained in more peaceful ways, without the threat of death in battle. For instance, a man could, lie, cheat, or steal; he could borrow money; he could become an indentured servant, who hired himself out for long periods of time in faraway places.

A Personal Prize--A woman who is beautiful in God's eyes determines that by her personal contribution to her husband's finances "he shall have no need of spoil".  A Proverbs 31 woman will not want her husband to lack of anything, but she also doesn't want him to be forced to leave her and their family to go to war--to endanger his life--in order to bring home spoils to pay off their debts or increase his personal wealth.  And she definitely doesn't want him to obtain them by unrighteous means.

The Proverbs 31 woman is also a warrior!  She {E.G.}  defines the word virtuous as meaning an army.  The Greek and Hebrew languages give a vivid metamorphic picture of this woman, the unfailing prize, as a mighty warrior who utilizes her abilities for the benefit of her husbands' domain.

"This startling image dramatically conveys the commitment of God's beautiful woman to her husband and his wealth and warfare.  She is a warrior of undying allegiance who dedicates her life and energies to the well-being of her husband and his household.  She battles daily on the home front so that he doesn't have to engage in war or experience a "lack of gain"!" {E.G.}


See you soon!
Sara Rose <3

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