Beautifully Made
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning. Today we are so very blessed to come to church and celebrate Mother’s day. Many people say Mother’s day is for the mommas, and it is. It is also a time to thank God for the very gift of motherhood. It’s a time to say thank you for the gift of children we have been given. Many think when God made mommas, He did some of His best work. The word momma is a sweet sweet word. The home I was raised in, and now the home I see wife Amy raising Zoe in, I would have to agree.
I found some interesting answers to why God created moms, according to a second grader:
How did God make mothers?
He used dirt, just like the rest of us
God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts
What ingredients are mothers made of?
God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
Why did God make mothers?
To Help us out there when we are getting born
She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is
We are blessed to have the gift of motherhood from God. I can honestly say that when you find a good righteous mother you will never find the true depth of her hearts love. I believe is it bottomless. I understand not everyone had the mother we will be talking about this morning. I understand things happen. This should not stop us, especially to our mom and our moms to be, from being grateful for all our moms do for us.
This morning were’re going to look into some of the traits of a godly woman found in
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
Pastoral Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The book of Proverbs comes to a close with the addition of this poem about the woman of valor. A careful reading of the passage shows that her value is derived from her character of godly wisdom, which is beneficial to her family and to the community as a whole.
We see the author of our text using the words “who can find?” This is considered a rhetorical question. These words does not mean no one can find such woman, but that she is of surpassing value to those who do find her. The author here uses a metaphor at the end of verse 10. The author uses the word rubies. During this time, rubies are considered to be a precious gem. This is echoed in:
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Instead of rubies, today we might consider - why not the use of diamonds instead of rubies. You’ve head the slogan “diamonds are a girls best friend.” The reason is diamonds were not yet known in the at this time. From the authors point of view, it becomes clear that she is rare, exceedingly precious and attractive. She is precious because she uses here strength, ability, wisdom totally and selflessly for others. She is considered a valiant wife who is a gift from God. We could sum this up as, wisdom is more precious than rubies, but nothing you desire can compare to her. A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find.
When a man is blessed with a gem like this, he and his wife become partners. One of the fundamental traits of a partnership is value and loyalty to one another. And, that is what we find in verses 11 and 12.
The husband has “full confidence” in her in every area of life. He has confidence in her good sense, her fidelity and her industry. The second half of verse 11 supports this. The husband does not lack anything necessary. Verse 12 is why she has value and his confidence in her is defined.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Lets unpack verse 12 for just a moment, because it is densely packed. The verse shows her full commitment to her husband. It shows her commitment is true, constant, it’s not temperamental, it’s reliable. This means she is a continuous source of benefits.
Her commitments don’t only stop with her husband. Her commitments extend to a continuous source of benefits for her family. Verses 13 through 15 speak to this.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
Guys have you ever noticed how your wife is when she is shopping, whether she is shopping for groceries, clothing or other hose hold items. I can tell you it an art. She is there looking at all that is available to her. She is absorbing the sounds around her, and all the different scents that are nearby. Her finger tips have already touched the texture, although she has not yet touched the item. The colors come into play. Guys I want you know all of this happens instantly. I can hear here some of you guys thinking. Wait! This happens instantly. Yes it does. It’s because everything is connected. We can talk about that at our next marriage enrichment class.
That’s what’s happening in verses 13 and 14. She seeks. Which means that she “find” or “selects” what she needs for the family. Wool and flax are the raw materials used for making clothing. Wool, the hair of sheep is used to make warm clothes; flax, a grass-like plant, gives soft fibers for making cooler clothes.
She adds variety to the lives of her family by trading goods produced at home for food and merchandise the household cannot itself produce (v. 14). She travels with joy so that everyone in the household can enjoy the fruit of her enterprising spirit. She wisely shops for what is best that she can afford.
How many of you have enjoyed a meal or some lovin’ from the oven when you came home, after your wife has been cooking something. Isn’t nice!? It’s an awesome feeling when she puts the needs of others in her household ahead of her needs.
This reminds me about book of Ruth. In the book of Ruth you hear about two women, Ruth and Naomi. Naomi had fallen on some unfortunate circumstances. You could say she was a woman who tasted the cup of heartache and bitterness. Ruth’s and Naomi’s journey took them to Moab. Moab had offered them a way to reboot their life. Naomi pleaded with Ruth to return and not follow. Ruth said no way. “I’ll go wherever you go and live wherever you live. While in the land, Ruth was able to find work. But in doing so, Ruth traveled grain fields. As she worked, she brought grain home. And, on one occasion, a gentleman named Boaz, gave Ruth some barley to take back to Naomi. While Ruth worked she chose to live the Naomi.
You see Ruth chose the needs of Naomi over her own. Ruth chose not to return home in search of finding a husband. Ruth chose to go where Naomi chose to go. She chose to find work and help provide for the needs of the home. Although Ruth did not have servants to portion for, as verse 15 of our text this morning suggests. Ruth portioned for Naomi.
Verses 16 and 17 may be regard by some as masculine are not found in a woman. But when we take a closer look, verse 16 implies that she has both a level head for business and personal initiative. This does not mean she has to understand the role of a business CEO. It means she runs the home in an efficient way. She finds areas of waste and tries to minimize it. Where we about her investments and planning in verse 16. This is saying she is careful where and how she invests. This follows the line of her diligent work we see in verse 17 as she works vigorously. She works hard to provide for the needs of the family and those under her care.
She has a legitimate sense of self-respect, and works hard, with the result she is profitable. When we look at the word profit, I just love those words that are both nouns and verbs.
The word profit - can mean a financial gain, a financial benefit that is realized when the amount of revenue gained, to obtain a financial advantage.
And while verse 18 can lead to an interpenetration of financial benefit or advantage. I believe the scope of this verse is larger than what some might think of as only financial advantage. She trading is profitable in terms of her family. According to a google define search of the word “family.” The word family can be defined as all the descendants of a common ancestor or a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Family does not have to be genetic. Look at what we have here every Sunday. We have people from all walks of life, background and life experience, and we choose to call ourselves family. We choose to love one another. And part of this love is to answer the call when we are called into service.
She answers the call to service with her whole heart. She remains dedicated even to the point to great personal sacrifice. The last half of verse 18 speaks to this.
“Her lamp does not go out at night.” Some could lead to the notion that she works into the night to promote profitability. And although this conclusion is reasonable at face value. It also have symbolism. Her lamp does not go out at night because her family lacks nothing. She has gone to great lengths to ensure the family’s needs are met.
This reminds me of the story of Esther. The book of Esther has some fast moving action within only ten chapters. Part of the drama contained within the pages of Esther is the threat of genocide. To address the killing off of the Jews, Esther has great courage to bring the issue before the king. Some might be thinking what’s the big deal? Because, I remember reading once that Esther become queen. Yes, although she was queen, you did not speak to the king unless you were summoned into his court. You could have suffered great personal loss by not having an appointment. She risked death by not having an appointment to see the king. The king allow Esther to bring her plea to him. The king listened to reason, his heart was softened, and the Jew’s, through the courage of one, were saved from extermination. God uniquely placed Esther. In her creative way, she provided for the needs of her people.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Now before this starts to spin to far out of control, guys this does not mean she is to fetch your slippers, bring you food while you are in your favorite chair. I realize we all have long days, and sometimes when we get home all we want to do is relax. But just because she is made of clouds and angel hair, and knows where the scotch tape is; we are to celebrate this precious gem. This also goes out to the ladies God has brought to our church body. I have only been here for a short time. But what I have seen so far, so many of you help in many different ways, and I want you to know - I am very thankful for your service, sacrifice and tender care you provide to this family.
The alter is open. I invite you up to pray has husband and wife, or as a family or as a group of friends, and lift up that special lady.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer