Pro 31:19 | KingComments | STEP | She has bought raw materials for clothing ( ) and done her business. In the evening, by the light of the lamp ( ), she is going to process the wool and flax into cloth ( ), from which she can then make clothes. She knows how to use the spinning wheel. We see her skill in the description. The church should also know how to make clothing, that is, it should be aware of the ways in which it is clothed with spiritual clothing. Thus believers are clothed with the garments of salvation and with the robe of righteousness ( ). Paul knew how to clothe believers with these, that is, he explained to them what their position in Christ is. Believers are clothed with Christ. Especially in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains what that means. The wife cares for her family, but in doing so she does not forget those who are poor and needy ( ). She is socially compassionate. Possibly she also made clothes for them, or at least distributed to them from what she had (cf. ). That she extends her hand to the poor person means that she gives to him willingly and generously ( ). She does not rebuff him with a tip. Stretching out her hands to the needy adds the thought of compassion. These are the hands that have been hard and skillful at work and not the hands of a lazy, rich woman. She uses her zeal in a generous and compassionate way. The church may share what it has acquired in spiritual understanding with those less fortunate. She is not isolated in the world and does not sit in a corner with a book selfishly enjoying all the truths. There are many people who are spiritually poor and needy. To them she will extend her hand and to them she will stretch out her hands and distribute the spiritual blessings she has discovered. She thinks not only of here and now, but also of the future ( ). Winter is coming again. Every wife who has a family to manage starts thinking again about winter clothes at the end of summer. She wants to prepare her family well for the coming cold. When the cold comes, her family wears warm clothes. The clothes are not only warm, but also attractive. Husband and children look well groomed. She has taste. The cold in the world does not bother her, for she provides a benevolent warmth of love in her home. Similarly, the church keeps the cold of the world at bay when warmth and love are present in it. Especially now this is desperately needed because we know that the end of all things is near ( ). The coldness of God’s judgments is slowly coming on. That is why we are told that above all we are to have fervent love for one another ( ).

‏ Proverbs 31:19

She Works for the Family and the Poor

She has bought raw materials for clothing (Pro 31:13) and done her business. In the evening, by the light of the lamp (Pro 31:18), she is going to process the wool and flax into cloth (Pro 31:19), from which she can then make clothes. She knows how to use the spinning wheel. We see her skill in the description.

The church should also know how to make clothing, that is, it should be aware of the ways in which it is clothed with spiritual clothing. Thus believers are clothed with the garments of salvation and with the robe of righteousness (Isa 61:10). Paul knew how to clothe believers with these, that is, he explained to them what their position in Christ is. Believers are clothed with Christ. Especially in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains what that means.

The wife cares for her family, but in doing so she does not forget those who are poor and needy (Pro 31:20). She is socially compassionate. Possibly she also made clothes for them, or at least distributed to them from what she had (cf. Acts 9:36-39). That she extends her hand to the poor person means that she gives to him willingly and generously (Psa 112:9). She does not rebuff him with a tip. Stretching out her hands to the needy adds the thought of compassion. These are the hands that have been hard and skillful at work and not the hands of a lazy, rich woman. She uses her zeal in a generous and compassionate way.

The church may share what it has acquired in spiritual understanding with those less fortunate. She is not isolated in the world and does not sit in a corner with a book selfishly enjoying all the truths. There are many people who are spiritually poor and needy. To them she will extend her hand and to them she will stretch out her hands and distribute the spiritual blessings she has discovered.

She thinks not only of here and now, but also of the future (Pro 31:21). Winter is coming again. Every wife who has a family to manage starts thinking again about winter clothes at the end of summer. She wants to prepare her family well for the coming cold. When the cold comes, her family wears warm clothes. The clothes are not only warm, but also attractive. Husband and children look well groomed. She has taste.

The cold in the world does not bother her, for she provides a benevolent warmth of love in her home. Similarly, the church keeps the cold of the world at bay when warmth and love are present in it. Especially now this is desperately needed because we know that the end of all things is near (1Pet 4:7). The coldness of God’s judgments is slowly coming on. That is why we are told that above all we are to have fervent love for one another (1Pet 4:8).