THE VIRTUOUS WIFE’S HANDS (3)

“She stretches out HER HANDS to the distaff, and HER HAND holds the spindle” (v.19).

Creativity, Compassion, Care, and Colourfulness flow from the VIRTUOUS WOMAN’S HANDS: “She stretches out HER HANDS to the distaff, and HER HAND holds the spindle. She extends HER HAND to the poor, Yes, she reaches out HER HANDS to the needy” (Pro.31:19-20).” We’ve noted that the virtuous woman’s hands are groomed to be willing to work, enterprising, reliable and responsible, strong and tenacious. Today, we’ll meditate on four additional qualities of the Virtuous Woman’s Hands.

Creative Hands: “She stretches out HER HANDS to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle” (v.19). This describes an ancient method of spinning or weaving used in the days before the spinning wheel existed. The distaff was a staff used for holding the flax or wool which would be spun into threads by means of the spindle: “All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred with wisdom spun goats' hair" (Exo.35: 25-26). Her hands are never idle, but skilled in crafts and constructive pursuits, to provide clothing for her household, and for profit.

Compassionate Hands: “She extends HER HANDS to the poor, Yes, she reaches out HER HANDS to the needy” (v.20). She is selfless and generous, shows compassion towards the poor, needy, and less fortunate with concrete deeds of mercy (Pro.31:9b). She loves them, not in word only, but in deed and in truth: “But whoever has this world’s good, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how doe the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 Jh.3:17-18).

The word “poor” means “afflicted, humble.” It describes the physically and materially poor; and believers who recognize their spiritual poverty (Psa.34:6; 40:17; 70:5; 109:22). God's people must have hearts and hands of compassion for the physically and materially poor and needy. God told the Israelites that the gleanings from their vineyards and fields should be left for the poor of the land (Lev. 19:10; 23:22). The virtuous woman faithfully opens her hands wide to the poor and needy (Dt.15:7-11). Even our Lord Himself condescended to become “poor” or lowly for our sakes, that we through His poverty might be rich (Zech.9:9; 2Cor.8:9).

Caring Hands: “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet” (v.21). Snow occurs occasionally in Palestine, attended with freezing cold. The virtuous woman, always concerned about the welfare of her family, is not afraid of the snow or cold, having made preparations ahead of time to protect her family in warm clothing. Her household was “clothed with scarlet” (see Isa.1:18 and Jos. 2:18). They were protected by the wool, while the scarlet provided ornamentation. Believers and the children of godly parents can be dressed in attractive, colourful, but modest, rather than dull or drab clothing. Drabness of apparel does not add to one's spirituality.

Colourful, Decorative Hands: “She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (v.22). Tapestry refers to bed coverings (Pro.7:16). The virtuous woman takes time to adorn her bedroom with beautiful bedspreads. Her clothing is attractive, beautiful, and of the finest material. Purple, depicting royalty, was prized by the ancients. Industrious and enterprising, she is able to purchase the finest materials, and with her own hands make the finest of garments: “he makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants” (v.24). By implication, she does not dress shabbily and to her, looking impoverished or derelict is not a mark of spirituality. Her royal clothing matches her regal character. Her outward garments of beauty and splendour match her inner beauty.

Wearing of colourful garments is not at the expense of her family, the poor, or her God-given duties. Indeed, her enviable reputation rubs off on her husband: “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land” (v.23). She is no competitor against him!