Proverbs 31:20-22. 20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet 22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
It’s easy to see why women, especially Christian women, can get so frustrated with this chapter. The author continues to pile on all the best qualities that any woman at any time could ever have. But is this even realistic? Is the modern Christian woman, in addition to going to work all day and serving in her church throughout the week, also supposed to be sewing clothes and making bedspreads for everyone at home?
It’s important for us to remember that this chapter is meant to be a summation of the entire book of Proverbs – a living manifestation of what “Woman Wisdom” is. Sure, there are womanly ideals in this chapter, but really these are human ideals, for everyone can be wise. The excellent woman of Proverbs 31 is meant to be an example to all of us.
Two days ago, we extrapolated this Proverb out one step further. If marriage in scripture is meant to be a picture of Christ and the church, his bride, then might it be the church that is the excellent woman? Is it the church that, in the wisdom of Christ, reaches out to the poor and needy while never neglecting the needs of its own? Is it the church that clothes the household of saints in scarlet, fine linen, and purple?
It definitely should be.
Galatians 6:9-10. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The excellent woman didn’t cut corners with her family. Scarlet, fine linen, purple, these are the fabrics of royalty, rare materials of the highest quality. She dressed her household for confidence and success.
In Christ, we are dressed in his best. We have put off the old man and have put on Christ. We are wearing the eternal robes of his righteousness. Does your church dress you in these same rare and priceless materials? The scarlet of Christ’s blood shed for you on the cross? The fine linen of your priestly purity in Christ? The purple of your royal inheritance in Christ? Or does it try to keep you underdressed in your old rags of shame, guilt, and condemnation?
There is a day coming when we will be joined with Jesus in marriage. We will stand before him clothed in the fine linen of righteous deeds. Deeds done by God himself through us by grace through faith. Until that day, let us clothe one another in the righteous deeds of love and service so that we may be able to present ourselves to Jesus as his pure and beautiful bride.
Revelation 19:6-8. 6Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
You: Are you part of a church that clothes one another in the righteousness of Jesus?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ replace our old clothing with the robes of Christ’s righteousness? Have you embraced this new clothing?
Christ in you: How can you remind another Christian of their scarlet, linen, and purple clothing in Christ?
Pray: Father, by your grace my robes are spotless and pure, the fine linen of your mercy. Help me to reject the old stinky garments of works righteousness, and embrace your royal robes. Amen.
To Live is Christ 