Proverbs 31:13

Proverbs 31:13 "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."

The Proverbs 31 woman, seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands.

seek (v.) - 1. to search thoroughly; to search every place: 2. to try to obtain

willing (adj.) - 1. cheerfully consenting or ready: 2. disposed or inclined; prepared: 3. acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant: (Matthew 26:41).: 4. done, given, accepted, or borne voluntarily or begrudgingly: 5. not brought about by coercion or force

As we can see from these definitions of what a Biblically submissive wife does, we can better understand that "seeking" isn't just a flighty, haphazard thing she does because she has nothing better to do with her time. We also better understand the fact that she works with "willing" hands is no small matter as well. She works, cheerfully, gladly, she's disposed, prepared and without force or coercion, is very inclined to do the work God has laid before her with gratitude and joyfulness.

She finds great satisfaction in her work because she is wise and knows that it is a gift from God for mankind to eat and drink and take pleasure in all their work.

Unfortunately, I have not yet attained the full meaning of these two words. When I "seek", that just means I'm casually looking for something and have a haphazard attitude (that might, on the surface, even appear to be godly), because I say, "Well, if God wants me to find it, have it, or whatever. I'm sure He'll make it obvious." Then others say, "Wow, what a godly woman you are! Look at your faith and trust in God!" Little do they know, instead of earnestly seeking the things of God, I'm actually sinning terribly by using God as an excuse for my laziness. YIKES!!! May holy terror fill me every time I even conceive such an evil thought! Now, don't get me wrong, it is good to have true faith, hope and trust in the Lord so that we never fret, but that's not what I'm doing in the above example.

Then there's the word "willing". The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that word is, "Okay, I'll do it...since no one else will and it needs to be done." and silently I'm thinking, "They owe me. I better receive some kind reward or "pay back" for this." Are either of these attitudes I entertain Christ-like and honoring to God? I think it's obvious to all of us, the answer would be a resounding "NO!"

In order to fulfill the Scripture we're meditating on today, that means I will need to crucify two things...TODAY! 

1. I will need to crucify my arrogance that assumes that if I don't do something that it either will not get done or it won't be done very well; 
2. And if I do anything, it's automatically a blessing to someone, therefore I am owed something in return. 

There is no hint of laziness in this woman who is praised by God. She “worketh willingly with her hands” She is “willing to get her hands dirty”, as the old saying goes. She is no prima donna! A woman of God is not “above” manual work. Hard work is her motto. It is the essence of her character. It does not scare her, she does not shy away from it.

Wool, of course, is the wavy or curly undercoat of a sheep which can be woven into a warm garment or fabric.  Even today we wear wool sweaters or mittens to protect us from the cold.

I find it particularly interesting that the wool is a protective covering, and when "cleaned" and "purified" the fatty substance is used to make ointments - to heal wounds and comfort injuries, cosmetics (i.e., lotions) - to care for our bodies and refresh it from the damages of the world, and waterproof coatings - to protect us from all that is beating down on us.

So let's "warm" our husbands with the attitude (humility) and love (submission to the Father's will) of Christ! 

Wool has the warming effect on the wearer.

FLAX: is a plant that is cultivated for both its fiber from which linen yarn and fabric are made, and for its seed, called linseed, from which linseed oil is obtained. Linen is used to make clothing, is strong, durable and its smooth surface repels soil. It is however, subject to wrinkling. The oil from the plant, linseed oil or flaxseed oil is used to make paints as well as....eh hem...are you ready? It's also used to help relieve constipation (due to the wheat content) and it also benefits in controlling levels of cholesterol (because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids) and blood sugar in the body. The flax seed itself can be crushed and used to make a healthier bread!

  

• she is the strong and durable fiber in which God made to hold the family together; 
• she repels the "soil", the dirt from the world's affect on her family; 
• she "relieves" them when they are "stuck" emotionally with her understanding, compassion, patience and wisdom - which brings God's peace to her household as she comforts her family, keeping their heart, body and soul well nourished through prayer and acts of kindness; 
• she disciplines (beats) her flesh so that she never hinders her family from eating wholesome bread from Heaven...the word of God. 

Again, I find it particularly interesting to find the similarities between the benefits of flax and the benefits to a husband who is married to a biblically submissive wife. 

Flax has a cooling effect on the wearer.

If I could describe Proverbs 31:13 with just two words, I'd use "cheerful holiness"!

The godly woman "seeks" wool and flax, these two basic materials to use in making clothes and garments.  The term "seek" could mean that she "selects" (NIV) the best quality of wool and flax or it could mean that she "seeks with care" or "cares for" the wool and flax.  

She is a seeker of his will. 

Christ's ways are ways of pleasantness; his commandments are not grievous, his yoke is easy.  

A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks.

A virtuous woman is not above dirtying her hands and working hard at manual labor. She has no illusions or pretensions about her role. She knows that productivity and wealth begin with her hands, not with her mouth. Though capable of using her brain to leverage her assets and labor, she has no qualms about adding her sweat equity to the family estate. Let every lazy or pampered woman humble herself before this wisdom from God.