Classic KJV - Proverbs 31:18

The proverb says that this woman senses her gain is good. This means that she’s watching and evaluating her progress. Evaluating our work and correcting our errors are absolutely essential to any progress. Shoddy workmanship can be worse than nothing. Checking and rechecking to ensure our work’s quality of goes right back to our Creator Himself. He did the same, and that’s documented for our benefit. God reviewed His work daily and stopped only when He was satisfied “that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). So, when the woman sees that her gain is good, her first response is gratitude toward the Creator who made it all possible.

Ready for Trouble

She is prepared for difficulties, be they the dark of night or the cold of snow. When her lamp does not go out, that doesn’t mean that she never sleeps. It means she’s filled it with enough oil to last the night. Whether the darkness lasts eight hours or twelve, she’s ready for the duration.

With Her Own Hands

Although she has servants, she’s not an idle spectator. She jumps right into the work itself, partly because she loves it, and partly because she know she must lead by example. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty and happy to keep busy with the distaff and spindle, parts of a spinning wheel. She lives her strong work ethic.

She’s one smart woman, producing goods (garments and belts), then selling them and supplying the tradesmen. In modern terms, this describes, first, production, then second, multiple product lines, and third, multiple distribution channels. She has a nose for the market, and she produces essential commodities, clothing, instead of frivolous fads, where the market is unpredictable.

Most important, she’s personally involved in assisting anyone lacking basic human necessities, the poor and the needy. She may have little time for “high society,” but she makes time for those truly in need. While giving to others, she does not ignore those closest to her.

Since she runs her household so efficiently, her husband has the time to devote to public life, the common good of the community. The clothing she provides him is “fine linen and violet,” so he can hold his head up in the community, a model of good taste, self-respect and prosperity.

In short, she is an amazing wife, homemaker, and mother. So then, what about dad?

The Proverbs 32 Dad

Award-winning author, and speaker Phil Callaway has penned one of his classic, comic poems in honour of dedicated husbands. It repeats many of the themes of this proverb’s poem to great women, while applying them to truly great men. No, it’s not inspired Scripture, but it suggests that, to make an excellent household, you must also be an excellent husband and dad.

A good husband is hard to find,

     And worth more than a lifetime supply

          of Belgian chocolate.

His wife trusteth him without regret,

     Enjoying his company so much

     that she may even golf with him once or twice.

He buyeth her the choicest of finery,

     but never on credit.

He is borderline cheap,

     Though he calls it thrifty,

         Selah.

He payeth more attention to his children

     Than his iPhone or his HD television.

Somehow he findeth time

     To attend their sporting events,

         Stifling his desire to scream at referees.

He doth also attend recitals,

     Never wincing nor bursting forth with laughter

         When sour trumpet notes are hit.

He naggeth not his children,

     Loving the sound of their laughter

         More than his own voice.

Though screaming ensues, he dealeth with it calmly,

     Disciplining in love, then buying ice cream.

He kisseth owies, repaireth leaky sinks and shattered vases,

     Muttering but softly when he stubbeth his toe.

He even exerciseth verbal restraint

     When stepping upon Lego blocks in the night.

He lowereth his expectations for a clean house,

     Praising his wife for hard work and new hairdos.

He provideth gladly for his family,

     Avoiding any signs that say:

         “No payments until February.”

He prefereth a home to a house,

     Scripture to Pacman,

         A car that’s paid for to the smell of new leather seats.

He forgetteth not his anniversary,

     Complimenting his wife’s clothing, yea even her purse.

With great wisdom he bringeth along a book to read,

     While his wife shopes.

With gladness doth he make the bed

     On her 78th birthday.

He complaineth not about the inlaws,

     But joyfully cutteth the roast when they visit.

He careth more about widows and orphans,

     Than buying boats and vacation homes.

He chooseth wisely his Facebook friends,

     Avoiding the second glance,

         And the seedy side of the Internet.

Though his girth may grow and his hairline recede,

     He laughs at the days to come.

Strength and honor are his calling cards,

     Serving God his greatest pleasure.

Meet him at the door with a kiss and a welcome home,

     For he is to be valued above diamonds,

         Dark chocolate and season tickets.

Festoon his plate with ice cream and mangos,

     Adorn his feet with cushions and turn on the game.

For fame is fleeting and good looks fade,

     But a man who loves his family and his God

         Is a living celebration.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Superwoman emulates the qualities we see perfected in Jesus. He was (and is) an energy giver rather than an energy taker (Mark 10:45).

God is the Savior of all men, especially of believers (1 Timothy 4:10).

Through His Church, the Body of Christ, Jesus is a channel of love and truth to all society. His followers love to do good for others, even if it means loving their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Further, unlike a fictional Superwoman or a diligent home-maker, Jesus Christ has received authority over everything (Matthew 28:18).