The Fruit of Her Hands

Book By Nancy Wilson (Canon Press)

Before I begin today's post I'd like to recommend a book to you. The book is "The Fruit of Her Hands: Respect and the Christian Woman" It is by Nancy Wilson, wife of Doug Wilson who is the editor of Credenda Agenda. It is available at Amazon for $9.50.

I read this book six years ago and it radically changed by view of my role as a wife. The focus of the book is a wife's respect for her husband and how everything she does flows from her respect or lack thereof.

A quote from the book ~ "So what is your perspective when you think of your husband? When you think of him, when you speak to him, when you pray for him, what is your view? Is it a biblical view? Or is it a humanistic view, tainted by the modern world's views on marriage and homemaking and husbandry?"

Nancy gives a biblical foundation on the topic of respecting one's husband. Then she takes it a step further and gives very practical advice of how one can put respect into practice. Her bottom line is this: instead of focusing on our husbands problems and shortcomings, we should look at what we should be doing.

Scripture:
Proverbs 31:16
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. NIV
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. NLT
She has looked at a field and bought it, and from the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard. Aramaic Bible

Observation:
Clark's Commentary on the Bible:
She provides for the growing wants of her family. More land will shortly be needed, for the family is growing up; and having seen a field contiguous to her own, which was on sale, she estimates its worth, and purchases it a good bargain; and she pays for it by the fruit of her own industry.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter.

Application:
The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't do things rashly or on sudden impulse, but she has gives careful thoughts to all matters. She has a plan for her family and she carefully thinks about what she needs to fulfill that plan. 

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be thoughtful about all matters that concern my family. I want to make decisions which would bless and benefit my whole family. Let me do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. In Jesus name, amen.