[proverbs 31:21-25]
intro about clothing
looking into the mirror before going out the door
isn't it ok to try? (yes, within bounds)
am i somehow violating 1 Peter 3 to care at all? (no)
pray, read verses.
She
is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For
all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She
makes 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,
And
supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength
and dignity are her clothing,
And
she smiles at the future.
tell them where we're going...4 points. name them.
the wise woman clothes herself and her family
read through verses again
main idea: cares for herself (talk about linen, purple dye)
cares for those around her
effect #1 - her husband is respected
it seems that these ideas are related...her reputation precedes her husband and reflects on him.
consider all the previous verses – what will be seen of her life and labor by those around her.
understanding that this is the picture of ideal – not only is she rewarded, but her husband's status is affected
(this doesn't always happen)
effect #2 – she makes some money from the same skills
no suprise, right?
everyone can see she does it well and she can sell her work too.
2. strength & dignity (her figurative clothing)
how SHE responds in the face of all circumstances.
she doesn't know what is coming next
we see a grand life picture, but who knows what will come next?
(to her or to us)
matthew 6 here
ask class for associations, mental pictures, stories
she does not fear the future (the unknown) and can smile. WHY?
looking at the whole text (and all of scripture), the balance between obedience and grace, trust and responsibility
harp on the errors of leaning either way
one way and you make yourself God (and panic)
the other and you undervalue the life that God has given us to live here!
that was our hero.
what about you?
how do we bring this into the new testament?
2 options for application: closer and farther from the text
1. wise living will express itself in Quality (not only internally!!! NT/heart)
(not to say wealth)
IN living correctly, pragmatics, navigating the material world
John 2 – jesus made GREAT wine for enjoyment. do you do the like?
very interpretive, and quite a few steps from the text
how are you clothing yourself in the true sense?
yourself: phil. 2:5-11, 3:10, col. 3:16, matt. 6:25-34, 1 pet. 4:7, prov. 6:20-23.
prov. 3:5-6
others: col. 1:9-12, phil. 2:3-4, col. 3:12-14, 1 pet. 4:8, 5:5
risks here – again an underemphasis (common in Xianity) on a quality life
while the virtues are important, we are supposed to be
***aesthetic, not ascetic
we all live this way, but we don't always think it through
clothe yourself – clothe others – smile at the future
trust God – manage wisely – smile at the future