Prov 31 No Use for Rags

  “She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.” Proverbs 31:24

  I am assuming that a garment, being belted, makes it more valuable. Being able to afford a sash instead of a mere belt would make this a product for the wealthy. The labour involved has already been talked about and celebrated as a virtue in this section of Proverbs. Gathering the wool, spinning the yarn, weaving the cloth makes it a laborious endeavor.

  Linen is a product of flax. (Thanks Google.) Separating the plant fibres into useful strands is physically demanding. Flax must be crushed to break apart the outer shell of the stalks. They are then dragged through a comb to produce long, silky strands of fibre that can be spun into yarn. There were no machines to do these onerous chores.

  The point has been made many times over. Industry is an ideal attribute for a Proverbs 31 woman. So is the pursuit of wealth and business. At its foundation is the idea of service and serving, a concept that would impart itself into every aspect of life through the birth and death of Jesus Christ.

  Here, love replaces obedience. Obedience in Christ is an act of love, not law.

  I confess to not being very good at it. (Smile.) I guess Jesus is still battering away at my hard, outer shell. (Another smile.)And I submit most willingly to the process…most of the time.

  At church yesterday, the Hebrew word “Haphak” was explained as part of a sermon on Jonah. Like many English words, it has multiple meanings.

  1. Turned over.

  2. Destroyed

  3. Changed/transformed.

  While they have been listed as different, I feel the three definitions are actually an intrinsic part of each other.

  Take flax for example. To be transformed into fibre, it must be destroyed. The plant must die to itself and steps taken for its inner beauty to reveal itself. An ugly, coarse plant has within its heart soft fibres that shimmer and gleam like silk.

  The individual fibres must surrender their individuality to become part of a greater purpose. They must turn over their existence into the weaver’s hand to become the tapestry of community.

  Ok, I am giving a plant human attributes. And with Jesus, none of this is a “must do”. He definitely doesn’t crush us into submission! But knowing grace, knowing the love of Jesus, I cannot help but surrender to the processes of transformation.

  I want to be able to offer the finest of clothing to anyone seeking the heart of God. Clothing that isn't made of worldly materials, but of the golden threads of forgiveness, grace, hope and love.

  PS. Today is a milestone day. Thank you, dear readers, for the 100,000 plus visits to my blog. It is a gift of encouragement more valuable to me than any fine garment.