Biblical Trumps Cultural

(Proverbs 31:24 KJV)  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

This is one busy lady.  Every time I read this chapter I am overwhelmed at how many different balls she has in the air:  Buying land and farming it, supervising a large staff, making several different articles of clothing and marketing them, importing and who knows what else is implied.  This is a long way from the little woman cooking, cleaning and serving.

I hope you see the difference between this Biblical view of women and the veiled, isolated harems that are presented by much of the world.  This is not offered up as one of a kind but an example to be followed.  Think of the Chinese women of the day with bound feet and locked away in an inner sanctum.  Think of the many cultures that treated their women as chattel. 

And this is presented as the ideal.

So?  Too often our ideas are based on cultural traditions rather than Biblical reading.  That applies to how our homes are structured as much as murder and theft.