God does not love men more than women, He gave each different strengths and their own roles.
If you think the Bible says that a woman's place is in the kitchen, then you are in for a shock!
A Biblical woman doesn't have to do all of the things mentioned below, but has the ability to.
We will be reading from Proverbs 31, I have changed the order of some of the verses to group certain qualities together.
v10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
A good woman is precious, please never forget your worth.
v11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
This speaks to her state of mind. She is her husband's rock, he can count on her to be trustworthy.
v12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
A good wife is a blessing.
v13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
v14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
v15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
v19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
v21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
v22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
v27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She doesn't sit idle and spend her days gossiping. She is not lazy. She does not sleep till noon every day, rising early to pack lunch boxes. She takes good care of her family. They have warm clothes during winter. She decorates her home. Making sure that bills have been paid and that shopping gets done.
v16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
v17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
v18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
v24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She can successfully run a business. This is no small task, being able to co ordinate a team of people to run that vineyard is hard work. She can run different kinds of businesses. Trading profitably shows knowledge and skill. Making goods of a high quality that are sought after.
v20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
In her busy life tending to her family and business, she still finds time to care for the community. She is always looking outward.
v23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Her husband has a good name and is a pillar of the community. While a wife does not qualify her husband to be an elder, her bad behaviour can disqualify him.
v25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She dresses modestly, not provocatively. She does not dress to entice men. When you know your value, you don't have to dress to advertise.
v26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Listen to her words, she is wise and has much to teach you.
v28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
v29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
v30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
v31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
What a blessing she is! Her entire family honours her. A Biblical Woman is capable, faithful, hardworking and a force to be reckoned with. Never under estimate her.
In our previous session we saw how Paul says that women must submit to their husbands. This is true, the husband is the head of the home and he is to love his wife, not beat her into submission. She is so much more than the silly stereotypes that we see on TV. She has character and is worth gold.