I came across a passage in Proverbs that everybody is familiar with. Yet, I noticed something that probably everybody else has already noticed before.
I’m talking about Proverbs 31—the ‘virtuous woman’.
I grew up in a church that traditionally believes and thinks–that women can’t be in ministry. I whole-heartedly disagree and think the Church at large is cutting off its foot when it misinterprets Scripture passages that were culturally relevant to be universal, but anyway, that’s not what I’m getting into here, nor am I saying this passage talks about women in ministry. For more, click here to read my very first exegesis paper I did—it basically was on that topic. But I digress from where I am going with this entry.
After reading this passage in Proverbs, I notice it does touch on something prevalent in the Church, or at least certain church circles that I seem to have come up in. I notice that one of—but not the only—outcomes of this women-not-allowed-in-ministry teachings comes the idea that women are limited in what role they are to play in the Body of Christ. Somehow this also leads to some thinking all they can do is be housewives or stay-at-home moms. It’s fine if they feel called to do so, but something irks me when the Church puts some unbiblical standards on people in order to keep their man-made traditions. Some sacred cows are kept alive that should be killed immediately, and this might be one of them.
I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me mentioning it, because she’s told me about it numerous times—but my mother has a career, and is a consultant pharmacist. When we first started attending a church in Peterborough, Canada in the mid to late 1980s, she apparently had numerous women in the congregation condemn her for having a career, and told her that her children would suffer because of her lack of involvement in their life. I don’t know how I feel about stay at home moms since I am not one nor do I have kids that I need to worry yet about the best way for them to be raised, but last time I checked, I turned out just fine.
Well anyway, I will do what I usually do. Paste the Scripture passage, and highlight certain things that make it interesting to notice in light of our own pre-conceived biases and understandings. Proverbs 31:10-31:
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Observations:
· She is a manual laborer (v.13, 16-17, 19, and possibly 22)
· She is clearly entrepreneurial (v. 24)
· She is a saleswoman, knowing how to buy and sell for profit (v.16, 17-18, 24)
It is one thing to say women aren’t allowed to be ministers (which is bunk anyway, but that’s for another entry) but when we put burdens on women that they can’t be parents AND have some kind of career, then we are just adding stuff to the Scriptures they don’t say. Let’s obey what the Bible does teach about things, and leave alone things it doesn’t mention.
If the Holy Spirit-inspired authors of Scripture felt the way some people view on this particular area, they would have addressed it, but certainly this passage would be excluded from our texts if the Lord wanted godly women to be exclusively housewives and stay-at-home moms. Let’s allow them to hear from the Lord for themselves as to what God wants to do with their lives, instead of teaching our man-made traditions.
This is a sacred cow in the Body of Christ that needs to be done away with.
Moo.
