What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Prov 31:10). The prophecy that king Lemuel's mother taught him closes with eighteen salient illustrations of what that woman would do (vr11-28). The list may be grouped into seven qualities, trustworthy, diligent, industrious (even entrepreneurial), strong, compassionate, wise, and successful. Examine some gems that may get overlooked in Lemuel's list. “She will do him good” (vr12) brings to mind Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine....” In the darkest circumstance, in the deepest valley, in the greatest trial, men can quickly turn to the song “gloom, despair, and agony on me,” but a virtuous wife can keep a level of humor and merriment around her that does a family good “all the days of her life.” In verse 19 her diligence is subtly presented. “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” The spindle is twirled in the hand to spin thread, and the distaff holds the flax or wool that is to be spun. In third world countries, never in the USA, you see women spinning yarn whenever they find an idle moment. The virtuous woman does not spend hours in front of an idiot box. In verse 26 her mouth opens with wisdom tempered with kindness. Twice Lemuel's mother instructed him to “open his mouth,” once in compassion (vr8), once in righteous judgment (vr9). A woman who opens her mouth is not a rare thing, but the one who does it with wisdom and kindness, her price is far above rubies. Solomon was wise to commission his last chapter into the hands of king Lemuel. He aptly listened to the prophecy that his mother taught, Solomon,... not so much. Happy Mothers Day.
An Essay for week #19 May 13, 2018
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180513.mp3
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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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