(Proverbs 31:19 KJV) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
An excellent wife is not too good to work. We are not usually familiar with the tools mentioned here. The “distaff” (3601) and “spindle” (6418) are used in producing cloth. (For some reason the NASB uses the same two English and Hebrew words but reverses the translation.) This was generally done by hand, in the home. That is one reason why clothing was so expensive in ancient times.
The point is that productive work is part of a virtuous life. I think it is safe to assume that the principle applies to everyone, male and female, single and married. My pool of background knowledge tells me that even the Rabbis were expected to have a trade. Paul was a tent-maker. Jesus was a carpenter.
So? God’s kingdom is not just made up of those in the limelight. It includes each of us that gets up on a daily basis and goes to work. It includes those who get up and run the home. Lay your hands on the distaff God has given you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
My dad used to say that folks get all upset about those who sometimes have to work on Sunday, without remembering that the Bible FIRST says "Six days shalt thou labor..." Few people do that anymore, so aren't they sinning just as much as those who work on Sunday? (I won't even go into the Sabbath issue here!)
My wife often observes also that the Bible does not talk about retirement. You may get too old to work but then you live with your kids and provide baby sitting or some other contribution.
Grace and peace.
Post a Comment