What a blessing it has been, having you on The Proverbs challenge! It’s been such a joy hosting you and I have been so honoured to serve you. I celebrate your dedication and commitment to knowing God more through the study of His Word. I know He is so pleased.
As we wrap up our challenge in Proverbs 31 today, I can’t but point out this already glaring truth: Woman, you have a voice. You have strength. You are capable. You are smart. You are diligent. You are shrewd. You are an asset. You are a priest. You are praise-worthy!
I love how extra mindful the Lord is about women. I love how He often makes it clear – even from the days of old when the traditions of men didn’t give much room for female expression – that women have a firm, secure and vital place in His agenda.
There are two major things I’d like to highlight from Proverbs 31 – and these lessons particularly speak to the powerful voice that we have as women.
All through the book of Proverbs, we have read the sayings of King Solomon to his son (and the sayings of a few other men), but in the closing chapter of Proverbs, we see a woman arriving the scene, taking her place as an instructor to her son and giving counsel that will set him up for a life of peace and prosperity. It is true that the words in Proverbs 31 are those of King Lemuel, but the Bible records that they are originally the teachings of his mother. (Proverbs 31:1)
I find it so instructive that in all of the Book of Proverbs, this is the only chapter that records a man teaching so convincingly, something he had been taught by someone else – and especially his mother. Her teachings must have stuck in a powerful way!
Woman, you have a voice in your home. You have the God-given authority to voice-print your children’s destinies. You have Spirit-given wisdom to steer your kids in the direction of peace and prosperity like no one else has! Your lessons have the ability to stick like no one else’s. Believe it and take positive advantage of it!
Oh queen mother! I celebrate your God-given influence and the co-creative power you have with your Maker. I pray that you fully recognise it, own it and harness it. Let’s raise our children like we’re raising kings – because we indeed are. Let’s groom them for the throne and prepare them for the palace.
The second point I’d like to share with you has me nearly screaming! My mental block concerning this matter has been dissolved and my mindset has been forever shifted just by reading this one verse. Take a look with me.
She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gown.
proverbs 31:22 (NLT)
I first read this verse in the NLT and the moment I saw the words “linen” and “purple”, my heart leaped within me! Do you know why? They are symbols of priesthood. (I find it so interesting that our official TPC colour is purple. Even though I was intentional about the colour, I didn’t really remember that there was such an apt reference in Proverbs 31:22)
Look at the way AMPC puts it.
…Her clothing is of fine linen, pure and fine, and of purple (such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made)
proverbs 31:22 (AMPC)
In the old testament (OT), women were not permitted to serve as priests. Priestly service was strictly reserved for Levite men. While I know that the Proverbs 31 Woman certainly wasn’t serving as a priest in Israel, this verse shows us clearly that she served as a priest in her home; and her choice outfit typifies our spiritual role as women today!
Have you ever heard someone say “A man is the priest of his home?” Lord, have mercy! I have said it so many times. But guess what? Scripture doesn’t actually say this. We have only drawn conclusions based on the leadership responsibilities resting on the fact that the man is the head of the home.
Nowhere in God’s word is it written that the man is the priest of the home. Dear woman, you share just as much spiritual responsibility as your husband does. Settle it in your heart that your husband is a (not the) priest, and you are too! You both share equal responsibility in setting the spiritual tone and atmosphere of your home.
In the OT, priests had responsibilities to carry the presence of God with them, to worship God, and to pronounce blessings on their people. There’s nothing solely patriarchal about this – not especially now that Jesus has died, risen and the torn the veil, stripping away the old and establishing us in His new covenant!
Say with me, “I am a priest in my home! My husband and I carry the very presence of God and lead our family in the worship of Him!”
So, bye bye to thoughts and ideologies that place spiritual responsibilities solely on the men. If you’re currently unmarried, don’t just say “I want my man to be the priest in our home.” Say instead, “My husband is a priest in our home and so am I”
Don’t delegate your spiritual authority or abdicate your priestly responsibility.
Dear wisdom crew, it’s been amazing, sharing my heart with you! I’d like to say a big thank you to all our guest writers who shared such powerful insights with us; and of course, to everyone who was on the mastermind group sharing daily wisdom and mind-blowing truths with us.
I love you all!
Till we meet again, keep your heart fixed on His love for you.
Yours in His love,
Tosin Sanni