After almost a week of studying Proverbs 31:18, the Lord hit me with it's meaning just this morning. Though there may be many applications of this verse, this is the one God knew I needed. First however, let's look at some basic definitions and references:
Matthew 25:3-10
1Thess 2:9
2Thess 3:7-9
Matthew 5:15
Luke 2:35
Job 21:17
Proverbs 3:14
Psalm 34:
Ephesians 5:15-16
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At first, I thought, Okay, this gal is super-woman. "She riseth also while it is yet night (v 15), and her candle goeth not out by night." Just when does this gal sleep? However, the Scripture often mentions sleep, that God gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2), and that when we trust God, we can sleep (Psalm 4:8). Scripture does not contradict itself.
Then there's that word "night." Night does not mean very, very late. It means twist, as in the sun twisting away from the surface of the earth. The sun goes down. How many of us are up after the sun goes down? Even I, though I try to go to bed early, find myself up until 9 or 10 many nights. The sun is NOT up. It is night.
But, when I noticed the significance of the colon in this verse, then it "hit" me. WHY was this woman up late? -Because she perceived (knew from experience) that the fruit of her labor was good -worth it. She diligently worked until she was satisfied with a job well done.
Wait a minute! WHY am I UP at night? WHY is my candle NOT extinguished?
I'm afraid my answer is not so glamorous, frugal, or diligent as that of the Proverbs 31 woman. How many times do I find myself on facebook, doing "nothing" just sitting on the couch, watching a movie, or surfing the web. It's not that I don't have things to do, but the sun is down, so I feel justified in not working. This is NOT God's ideal.
No, the virtuous woman works every waking moment. When God returns, he will find her cheerfully, diligently serving.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16
What about you? Are you accountable for every waking moment? Even after the sun goes down?
Take advantage of every minute for the service of God!
"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night."
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary
perceiveth- to taste, to see, to discover from experience
merchandise- (from primary root "to peddle"), profit from trade
good- good, well, in the widest sense
candle- to glisten, a lamp, (a burner), light (literally or figuratively), by extension: life
goeth not out- negation of expire or extinguish
night- twist (away of the light), night, figuratively adversity
*English Note:
In the King James Version of this verse, there is a colon between the first independent phrase and the second independent phrase. Grammarically speaking, a colon between two independent phrases means that the second phrase gives additional information to the first phrase. In Hebrew, there is a "causal" word in this sentence which indicates the relationship. The colon in this case represents the word "therefore."
Cross-References: (-read these verses before continuing the study-)
1Thess 2:9
2Thess 3:7-9
Matthew 5:15
Luke 2:35
Job 21:17
Proverbs 3:14
Psalm 34:
Ephesians 5:15-16
-------------------------
Then there's that word "night." Night does not mean very, very late. It means twist, as in the sun twisting away from the surface of the earth. The sun goes down. How many of us are up after the sun goes down? Even I, though I try to go to bed early, find myself up until 9 or 10 many nights. The sun is NOT up. It is night.
But, when I noticed the significance of the colon in this verse, then it "hit" me. WHY was this woman up late? -Because she perceived (knew from experience) that the fruit of her labor was good -worth it. She diligently worked until she was satisfied with a job well done.
Wait a minute! WHY am I UP at night? WHY is my candle NOT extinguished?I'm afraid my answer is not so glamorous, frugal, or diligent as that of the Proverbs 31 woman. How many times do I find myself on facebook, doing "nothing" just sitting on the couch, watching a movie, or surfing the web. It's not that I don't have things to do, but the sun is down, so I feel justified in not working. This is NOT God's ideal.
No, the virtuous woman works every waking moment. When God returns, he will find her cheerfully, diligently serving.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16
What about you? Are you accountable for every waking moment? Even after the sun goes down?
Take advantage of every minute for the service of God!
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