Lesson 12 on biblical submission...

Proverbs 31:19 - She's a Distaff

This Scripture-Picture was lovingly created by
Lori @ I Will Take It Lord, All You Have to Give.

I'm sure you're saying to yourself, "She's a distaff? How is a woman a distaff? I thought a distaff was a tool used for sewing? If she's a distaff, does that mean I'm one?" If this is what you were wondering after reading the title, then here are the answers to your questions "Yes.", "Yes.", "Yes." and "Yes, you can be, if you'd like!"

dis'-taf (pelekh): This word occurs once in Proverbs 31:19; "spindle" is found in the same passage. In the Revised Version (British and American) the meanings of the two words have been exchanged. See SPINNING.¹

Below are two other sources, for a deeper meaning of the the word, distaff (pelekh):

Easton's Bible Dictionary²

(Hebrews pelek, a "circle"), the instrument used for twisting threads by a whirl (Proverbs 31:19).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language²

1. (n.) The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.

2. (n.) Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively.

I'm sure you've all heard the term "old spinster" used to describe an older woman who is unmarried. Just the thought of the word "old spinster" brings about a picture in our minds of and old woman, with a scowl on her face, who is grumpy and keeps alone due to the fact that everyone annoys her, as she equally annoys them. According to the definitions from above, this term comes from the word "distaff" - as women of old have often been seen to weave threads and make clothing, curtains, or any other item that could be made from wool or flax. But why could such diligently, hard-working women earn such a demeaning and disdaining connotation of the word "distaff" to express her character? How did it come about that such fine women who worked faithfully to clothe others, make bedding and provide coverings for people, end up being referred to as a grumpy "old spinster"?

From the origin of the word "distaff", it is reasonable to conclude that being referred to as a "distaff" or a "spinster" would be a compliment, not an insult. But somehow we find ourselves once again, far removed from the original intent of what God created to be beautiful and encouraging, into becoming something not quite as lovely; once again accomplished by the hands of foolish and ungodly women.

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down."
~ Proverbs 14:1

The Eve complex all women struggle with in our flesh: the desire to be our "own woman" and be our own god, was such a concern, even in the days of the Apostle Paul that the Holy Spirit inspired him to write to Titus exhorting him to ensure that sound doctrine was being taught to all the "old" and "new" Christians in the church; so that the Word of God might not be reviled due to any ungodly living amongst His children. In Titus 2 verses 3-5 the Apostle Paul exhorts Titus to teach:

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may be not reviled."

Originally, to be a "spinster" or "distaff" was a compliment. As those who could both hold a distaff and spindle in her hand had to be strong (physically and spiritually), intelligent, well-skilled, patient and demonstrated much endurance as she completed this arduous task that inevitably was always a blessing to many others. Such a woman is exampled for us even in the New Testament; her name was Tabitha (Dorcas)³.

Let's read a little bit about this spinster, this distaff of old, mentioned here in Acts 9 verses 36b and 39c (to read how God used her life to save others, please read Acts 9:36-43):

"She was full of good works and acts of charity."
"All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them."
(emphasis added)

It is obvious that Tabitha (Dorcas) was a distaff, a spinster. And it is obvious that the thought of her did not bring an image of a grumpy, old, lonely lady into anyone's minds. Instead, when people thought of Tabitha, they smiled, they felt relieved - as if their burdens were lifted, just knowing she was there, near them. And as we read above, she was certainly not lonely. She was well-loved, respected, and surrounded by those who clearly saw the work and character of Christ within her.

There were many women of old, before Tabitha, that gave the name "spinster" a good reputation. And Tabitha certainly upheld the high standard of such a woman who proved: "I can do all things through Him [Christ] Who strengthens me." So, what happened?

Well, the "second wave of feminism" started in the 1960's and bread women like Madalyn Murray O'Hair, as well as the famous case of "Roe v. Wade" which legalized the murdering of unborn children in 1973. It was after this time, that the once well-regarded term used to describe a hard-working, diligent, skilled, single-woman; became known as a "cast-a-way", a rejected single woman that no one wanted to marry, and was left to her meager, diminutive and unimportant job of weaving fine linens to cloth others and provide coverings for people and their households in many other ways. The women who started the feminist movement no longer felt that a woman should be taught to love her husband and children, but was told she should not need a man. She was taught that if she ever chose to have children, they ought to be grateful that someone so smart, independent and strong, was their mother, instead of considering her children to be a blessing to her, and a huge compliment from the Lord Who entrusted her with one of His creation.

The feminist movement taught women many erroneous things about what it means to be a real woman. And that's when Satan won one of his greatest battles, as he re-used the same scheme and temptation Eve succumbed to in the Garden: "you will be like god." (Genesis 3:5) Our enemy, the devil, stripped away the beauty and unmatched essence of a quiet, gentle woman God created in order to help the man remain intimate with his Maker. He did it in the Garden and did it again in the 1960's. And we're still suffering from this deception today. But we don't have to - in Christ, we can prevail as godly women, who truly know and understand the strength it takes to humble oneself to another equal sinner.

God uses the number 40 (in Scripture) as the time of preparation:

• 40 days and 40 nights Moses was with God on the Mountain to receive the holy Law, the Ten Commandments;
• God caused the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years to rid them of the stubborn, foolish and rebellious generation and prepare the new generation to obey God as they inherit the Promised Land;
• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted for 40 days and 40 nights by Satan before the Lord Jesus would begin His official ministry of reconciling sinful man to holy, Father God;
• and for us as mothers, we carry our children in our womb for 40 weeks, before the child is ready, is prepared to take his/her first breathe on his/her own.

Becoming a Biblically submissive wife is not an overnight occurrence. If it were so, then it would also only have an overnight stay. And this is surely not God's desire. For the works of God are everlasting and grow more and more beautiful as time passes - instead of springing up only for a moment, then fading away as quickly as it came. (Matthew 13:20-22) May we, as daughters of the Most High God, never have hearts that are as hard as rocks, nor allow the cares of this world (busyness, even in with "good" things) cause the word of God spoken to us to be chocked out; causing us to become ineffective and unfruitful.

Our God is patient, and He takes His time molding, pruning and refining His beloved children. For as we all know, the things that take the most time, effort and labor, are the things we treasure the most.

Therefore, I have a 40 day challenge for you. For the next 40 days:

• Read your Bible a minimum of three times a day. Why did I choose three? Because that's how many times a day we spend feeding our physical bodies that are fading away. Therefore, should we not then, invest at least as much, if not even more in feeding our spiritual bodies that will live forever? (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Besides, if you're doing this study faithfully, then you will have no trouble meeting this portion of the challenge as God has so chosen to saturate this study with His Word; for which I am eternally grateful.
  
• I challenge you to take the Love Dare 40 Day Journey (I will be too. Click the link to find out how you can purchase the Love Dare Journal) in conjunction with doing this study. The Love Dare challenge is not only for marriages that are "on the rocks", but even for those marriages who are founded on The Rock, Jesus Christ. As wonderful as my marriage is now, I know that if I don't continue to work at it, it won't always stay this way.
• Faithfully do this study, do not let Satan distract you from accomplishing the one thing God uses to demonstrate to the world how awesome it was that Christ, Who Is God, submitted Himself to the Father and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of the world. (Philippians 2:6-8). According to Scripture, as wives, we are the tool God uses to share this glorious truth and His miraculous work among sinners; for as the Son and Father are equal in nature (God), they have different roles to fulfill - so too, while husbands and wives are equal in nature (sinners), we have different roles fulfill as well. Let nothing distract you!
• Love the sisterhood and extend encouragement, prayers and every expression of agape love to demonstrate your gratitude to God for His gracious outpouring of loving-kindness to you.
• Pray without ceasing, with thanksgiving in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 & Philippians 4:4-7)
  

Gracious Lord God, please help us and protect us. Keep us from worldly cares, or the deception of even the "good" things that might swallow up our time so that we have no time to spend intensely with You. Keep us from being daughters that only express love to you and others with our lips, but with hearts that are far from you, as our actions prove opposite of our words. Help us Lord to lead our emotions, instead of allowing our emotions to lead us. As we know that our hearts are truly deceitful and wicked above all things, and only You holy Father, know it and can purify it. Blessed be Your glorious Name Father! Cover us with Your wing as we strip ourselves naked, making ourselves vulnerable, so that we might be more easily conformed to the likeness of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You gentle and kind Father. Thank You that You hear the prayers of Your children. Thank You that You love us perfectly. I humbly and gratefully come to You, in the name of our blessed Savior, Jesus.

This shows a few reasons why I am against feminism. I think it is a detriment to our society to think we don't need a man. God created us to be helpmeets and we should honor and fulfill that. There is a reason God set up the headship order. It is to emulate the order between us, Christ, and God.