Lesson 8 on biblical submission...
This one is a bit long, but worth the read. Gives a lot to think about.
seek (v.) - 1. to search thoroughly; to search every place: 2. to try to obtain
willing (adj.) - 1. cheerfully consenting or ready: 2. disposed or inclined; prepared: 3. acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant: (Matthew 26:41).: 4. done, given, accepted, or borne voluntarily or ungrudgingly: 5. not brought about by coercion or force
As we can see from these definitions of what a Biblically submissive wife does, we can better understand that "seeking" isn't just a flighty, haphazard thing she does because she has nothing better to do with her time. We also better understand the fact that she works with "willing" hands is no small matter as well. She works, cheerfully, gladly, she's disposed, prepared and without force or coercion, is very inclined to do the work God has laid before her with gratitude and joyfulness.
She finds great satisfaction in her work because she is wise and knows that it is a gift from God for man (kind) to eat and drink and take pleasure in all their work (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).
Unfortunately, I have not yet attained the full meaning of these two words. When I "seek", that just means I'm casually looking for something and have a haphazard attitude (that might, on the surface, even appear to be godly), because I say, "Well, if God wants me to find it, have it, or whatever. I'm sure He'll make it obvious." Then others say, "Wow, what a godly woman you are! Look at your faith and trust in God!" Little do they know, instead of earnestly seeking the things of God, I'm actually sinning terribly by using God as an excuse for my laziness. YIKES!!! May holy terror fill me every time I even conceive such an evil thought! Now, don't get me wrong, it is good to have true faith, hope and trust in the Lord so that we never fret, but that's not what I'm doing in the above example.
Then there's the word "willing". The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that word is, "Okay, I'll do it...since no one else will and it needs to be done." and silently I'm thinking, "They owe me. I better receive some kind reward or "pay back" for this." Are either of these attitudes I entertain Christ-like and honoring to God? I think it's obvious to all of us, the answer would be a resounding "NO!"
In order to fulfill the Scripture we're meditating on today, that means I will need to crucify two things...TODAY!
FLAX: is a plant that is cultivated for both its fiber from which linen yarn and fabric are made, and for its seed, called linseed, from which linseed oil is obtained. Linen is used to make clothing, is strong, durable and its smooth surface repels soil. It is however, subject to wrinkling. The oil from the plant, linseed oil or flaxseed oil is used to make paints as well as....eh hem...are you ready? It's also used to help relieve constipation and it also benefits in controlling levels of cholesterol (because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids) and blood sugar in the body. The flax seed itself can be crushed and used to make a healthier bread!
HOMEWORK:
Proverbs 31:13 - Cheerful Holiness
(This photo of the flax plant is courtesy of EmbroideryLibrary.com)
The Proverbs 31 woman, seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands.
seek (v.) - 1. to search thoroughly; to search every place: 2. to try to obtain
willing (adj.) - 1. cheerfully consenting or ready: 2. disposed or inclined; prepared: 3. acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant: (Matthew 26:41).: 4. done, given, accepted, or borne voluntarily or ungrudgingly: 5. not brought about by coercion or force
As we can see from these definitions of what a Biblically submissive wife does, we can better understand that "seeking" isn't just a flighty, haphazard thing she does because she has nothing better to do with her time. We also better understand the fact that she works with "willing" hands is no small matter as well. She works, cheerfully, gladly, she's disposed, prepared and without force or coercion, is very inclined to do the work God has laid before her with gratitude and joyfulness.
She finds great satisfaction in her work because she is wise and knows that it is a gift from God for man (kind) to eat and drink and take pleasure in all their work (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).
Unfortunately, I have not yet attained the full meaning of these two words. When I "seek", that just means I'm casually looking for something and have a haphazard attitude (that might, on the surface, even appear to be godly), because I say, "Well, if God wants me to find it, have it, or whatever. I'm sure He'll make it obvious." Then others say, "Wow, what a godly woman you are! Look at your faith and trust in God!" Little do they know, instead of earnestly seeking the things of God, I'm actually sinning terribly by using God as an excuse for my laziness. YIKES!!! May holy terror fill me every time I even conceive such an evil thought! Now, don't get me wrong, it is good to have true faith, hope and trust in the Lord so that we never fret, but that's not what I'm doing in the above example.
Then there's the word "willing". The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that word is, "Okay, I'll do it...since no one else will and it needs to be done." and silently I'm thinking, "They owe me. I better receive some kind reward or "pay back" for this." Are either of these attitudes I entertain Christ-like and honoring to God? I think it's obvious to all of us, the answer would be a resounding "NO!"
In order to fulfill the Scripture we're meditating on today, that means I will need to crucify two things...TODAY!
- I will need to crucify my arrogance that assumes that if I don't do something that it either will not get done or it won't be done very well,
- And if I do anything, it's automatically a blessing to someone, therefore I am owed something in return.
Now let's take a look at what she (the Proverbs 31 woman) is accomplishing here in verse 13. She's not only willingly working, but she is working with wool and flax. Below is information I found very interesting about wool and flax from the online Britannica Encyclopedia:
WOOL: is an animal fiber that forms the protective covering of the sheep. Selective sheep breeding eliminated most of the long, coarse hairs forming a protective outer coat, leaving the insulating fleecy undercoat of soft, fine fiber. Also, cleaning the fleece removes "wool grease," the fatty substance purified to make lanolin (a fatty substance, extracted from wool, used in ointments, cosmetics, waterproof coatings, etc.). Now, I personally know quite a bit about "fatty substance" since I have some, I'm trying to lose.
I find it particularly interesting that the wool is a protective covering, and when "cleaned" and "purified" the fatty substance is used to make ointments - to heal wounds and comfort injuries, cosmetics (i.e., lotions) - to care for our bodies and refresh it from the damages of the world, and waterproof coatings - to protect us from all that is beating down on us.
So let's "warm" our husbands with the attitude (humility) and love (submission to the Father's will) of Christ!
We, as Biblically submissive wives are made to be so much like the wool! Our job, after being "cleaned" and "purified" by the blood of the Lamb, is to:
WOOL: is an animal fiber that forms the protective covering of the sheep. Selective sheep breeding eliminated most of the long, coarse hairs forming a protective outer coat, leaving the insulating fleecy undercoat of soft, fine fiber. Also, cleaning the fleece removes "wool grease," the fatty substance purified to make lanolin (a fatty substance, extracted from wool, used in ointments, cosmetics, waterproof coatings, etc.). Now, I personally know quite a bit about "fatty substance" since I have some, I'm trying to lose.
I find it particularly interesting that the wool is a protective covering, and when "cleaned" and "purified" the fatty substance is used to make ointments - to heal wounds and comfort injuries, cosmetics (i.e., lotions) - to care for our bodies and refresh it from the damages of the world, and waterproof coatings - to protect us from all that is beating down on us.
Wool has the warming affect on the wearer.
So let's "warm" our husbands with the attitude (humility) and love (submission to the Father's will) of Christ!
We, as Biblically submissive wives are made to be so much like the wool! Our job, after being "cleaned" and "purified" by the blood of the Lamb, is to:
- heal and comfort our darling husbands wounds/injuries;
- we are to care for and refresh his entire body and soul from the damages of the day;
- and protect him from all the things that beat down (burden) him.
Lord, let us be this way!
FLAX: is a plant that is cultivated for both its fiber from which linen yarn and fabric are made, and for its seed, called linseed, from which linseed oil is obtained. Linen is used to make clothing, is strong, durable and its smooth surface repels soil. It is however, subject to wrinkling. The oil from the plant, linseed oil or flaxseed oil is used to make paints as well as....eh hem...are you ready? It's also used to help relieve constipation and it also benefits in controlling levels of cholesterol (because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids) and blood sugar in the body. The flax seed itself can be crushed and used to make a healthier bread!
** Prior to using flaxseed oil or any supplements to your diet, please consult your physician, as you may have some adverse side effect and/or exacerbate any current medical conditions you might have.**
Again, I find it particularly interesting to find the similarities between the benefits of flax and the benefits to a husband who is married to a Biblically submissive wife. A husband who is married to a Biblically submissive wife in accordance with: Proverbs 31:10-31; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5, 10-11, 13-16 & 1 Corinthians 11:3, 7 - 12; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Timothy 2:9 - 15; Titus 2:3-5; and finally 1 Peter 3:1-6 is well blessed by God because:
- she is the strong and durable fiber in which God made to hold the family together;
- she repels the "soil", the dirt from the world's affect on her family;
- she "relieves" them when they are "stuck" emotionally with her understanding, compassion, patience and wisdom - which brings God's peace to her household as she comforts her family, keeping their heart, body and soul well nourished through prayer and acts of kindness;
- she disciplines (beats) herself (1 Corinthians 9:26-27) so that she never hinders her family from eating wholesome bread from Heaven...the word of God.
Flax has a cooling affect on the wearer.
So let us "cool" our families with the peace of God and bring harmony and serenity to our household, not harried busyness in all the events of this world.
If I could describe Proverbs 31:13 with just two words, I'd use "cheerful holiness"! And I can't explain it any better than our brother Charles Spurgeon, so I won't try! Here it is sisters:
If I could describe Proverbs 31:13 with just two words, I'd use "cheerful holiness"! And I can't explain it any better than our brother Charles Spurgeon, so I won't try! Here it is sisters:
"Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, 'Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if Thou has but forgiven me, smite as hard as Thou wilt'; and in a similar spirit you may say, 'Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what Thou wilt, Thou has forgiven me, and my soul is glad'. Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou Him who served thee. 'I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.' Let not your zeal evaporate in some little ebullition of song. Show your love in expressive tokens. Love the brethren of Him who loved you. If there be a Mephibosheth anywhere who is lame or halt, help him for Jonathan's sake. If there be a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of Him who wept for thee and carried thy sins. Since thou art thus forgiven freely for Christ's sake, go and tell to others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Be not contented with this unspeakable blessing for thyself alone, but publish abroad the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord's work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad."~ Charles Hadden Spurgeon
Morning and Evening, August 14
HOMEWORK:
Memorize every Scripture noted in this lesson. If we're determined NOT to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we can test and discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2), then this certainly is a good way to do it, don't you think?
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