Who can find a a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life
Proverbs 31:10-12
Women are the heart and soul of our families and our society. They are the civilizing factor of our culture.
I read a book written by an Afghani woman who was in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. The discriptions of how women were mistreated are beyond belief and heartbreaking. If the Taliban are allowed back into power, Afghanistan will be hell for their women and will not progress beyond the stone age.
In Saudi Arabia, women who have been raped will be stoned and accused of seducing the rapist, allowing the rapist to go free. The subjugation of women is in keeping with Wahabism (a radical version of Islam), the state sponsored religion. The only reason Saudi Arabia has any riches is because of the involvement of American companies in drilling for oil. The majority of the population live in abject poverty.
It is no surprise that povery and moral bankruptcy coincide with the mistreatment of women. In America, we recognize the rights of women and are blessed for it. In good marriages, spouses tend to complement one another. Where one spouse has a weakness the other spouse has strength. In general, women tend to be better at nurturing and communicating. This is not to say that the roles between the genders are clear cut or that men do not serve a vital role in both their children's lives and the enrichment of society. Ideally, the best situation is that families are made up of both a man and a woman, but that cannot always be the case and I honer the single parent that is forced to take on the task of raising their childern alone. In this modern age, many women have felt the call to leave their traditional roles as housewife (I know I sound as if I haven't left the twentieth century but bear with me) and are in bussiness, politics, the workforce. They are leaders, laborers and, at times, they are the breadwinners of their families. In these new roles, relatively speaking, they bring with them to the rest of society the same things that made them of value to their own family. Could I vote for a women for president? If it were the right woman, in a heartbeat! Our wives, our mothers, and our daughters deserve our love, regard and respect. If we should ever forget this, then our culture will suffer to no end because they are the daughters of the Most High God.
Proverbs 31: 10 -31 has always been one of my favorite Bible passages.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
