Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 31:23-25 (NIV)
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:23-25 (MSG)
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
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“Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them; and supplies sashes to the merchants. Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; and she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].” -AMPLIFIED
“True leaders bring out your personal best. They ignite your human potential.”
~John Paul Warren
Today, as we consider the woman of noble character, we will find that she is a woman of influence and respectability; true signs of a great leader. We have seen that this noble woman is indeed a true leader. She sets positive examples for others. She influences others to become their best; namely her husband in today’s text. She is honored and respected among her peers.
“A good, supportive, trusting wife is a blessing to a man. A woman who partners with her husband, who is reliable and looks out for his interests, gives a man a security that is greatly lacking in the world. She is worth more than a substantial paycheck. To bring in the metaphor, wisdom provides the same benefits—it is worth more than money, you can always trust it to make the right decision, and it provides blessings for those who have it.” ~Got Questions Ministries “What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31?”
“Everyone recognizes her husband in the public square, and no one fails to respect him as he takes his place of leadership in the community. She makes linen garments and sells them in the market, and she supplies belts for tradesmen to carry across the sea. Clothed in strength and dignity, with nothing to fear, she smiles when she thinks about the future.” -(VOICE)
We see leadership skills in both the noble woman and her husband. For this to take place in a marriage we need to understand that both husband and wife must be supportive of one another. Remember what has been stated before in this blog,
“We find within these lines a woman who complements her husband, completes him, the two work as one.”
“She is a loving wife, and feels for the respectability and honor of her husband. He is an elder among his people, and he sits as a magistrate in the gate. He is respected not only on account of the neatness and cleanliness of his person and dress, but because he is the husband of a woman who is justly held in universal esteem. And her complete management of household affairs gives him full leisure to devote himself to the civil interests of the community.”
~Adam Clarke Commentary
I remind you of a lesson that Solomon taught us:
“A dignified wife brings honor to her husband, but a shameful wife is like decay eating away at his bones.” -Proverbs 12:4 (VOICE)
It is important to note that this woman is clothed with strength and dignity; NOT shame and disgrace, the complete opposite. She has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. In fact, we are told that she smiles at the future; for she has nothing to fear, she is prepared. The Message Versions tells us that she faces tomorrow with a smile. (Great attitude!)
“Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council chamber with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments to sell to the merchants. She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age.” -(TLB)
“Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.”
~John C. Maxwell
As a leader this woman realizes the need to influence others positively. One way of doing this is by her example of hard work.
Notice, it is noted once again that this noble woman is skilled, industrious, enterprising and hard-working. She makes linen, linen was associated with the noble people, and sells it. She even supplies the merchants with sashes, or as some versions translate it, girdles. The girdle or sash was used as a wallet or purse wrapped around the waist. They could be made very ornamental, made of costly materials and crafted with great detail. They were used by both men and woman at that time.
The noble woman’s influence with her husband, family and others is pertinent to her leadership. She understood the need to be supportive, encouraging, and lead by example.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of a few things that will be helpful in learning leadership skills. Paul tells us:
“So support one another. Keep building each other up as you have been doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11 The Voice (VOICE)
“Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means.” -2 Timothy 2:15 (TLB)
“Titus, you have to set a good example for everyone. Go out of your way to do what is right, speak the truth with the weight and authority that come from an honest and pure life. No one can argue with that. Then your enemies will cower in shame because they have nothing bad to say against us.” -Titus 2:7-8 (VOICE)
“Leaders should influence others in such a way that it builds people up, encourages and edifies them so they can duplicate this attitude in others.” ~Bob Goshen
My friend, as leaders in the various positions that we hold, we are to be people of influence and respectability. Influence others for good. Be supportive. Be encouraging. Be hardworking and industrious. In doing so, you will have nothing to fear. You can look toward the future with a smile knowing that you are prepared whatever may come.
“The most powerful moral influence is example.”
~Huston Smith
My Prayer:
Almighty God, help me to be an influence-er for good. Impart to me more of your wisdom, Lord. Help me to be the best leader that I can be in the positions that you have placed me in. Remind me to always do my absolute best so that I will have nothing to worry about or fear. Always help me to remember whose I am and whom I am representing, YOU. Be glorified in and through me, I pray.
Growing with God 