A Biblical Apologetic Celebrating the Homemaking Tasks of a Virtuous Woman

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense, to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1Peter 3:15)…….

1Timothy 5:14 and Titus 2:4-5 lay some of the foundational instructions for the design of the home. The younger women should marry, bear children, manage the home, and give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. They are to love their husbands, love their children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Well, how does she go about this array of tasks? The virtuous woman will first and foremost approach every task with the goal of glorifying God (1Corinthians 10:31). She will strive to be holy just as He is holy (1Peter 1:15), knowing that her fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Therefore, she is devoted to fervent prayer, study, meditation, and memorization of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16).
She begins with being submissive to her husband in everything (Ephesians 5:22) and does not deprive him of the affections due him (1Corinthians 7:5). She also conducts herself in a chaste and trustworthy manner; therefore the heart of her husband safely trusts her (Proverbs 31:11). All the days of her life are spent doing him good and not evil (Proverbs 31:12). She carefully strives to become the beautiful picture of the helpmeet God intended her to be (Genesis 2:18).
Her children are her next focus. She faithfully tries to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), knowing that she will give an account one day for the way she educated these precious gifts (Matthew 12:36-37). Therefore, she diligently teaches them the word of God while they sit in their house, when they walk by the way, when they rise up, and when they lie down (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). She sets the example in thirsting for God as the deer pants for the water (Psalm 42:1). Because she does not eat the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27) her children are treated like the precious gifts that they are (Psalm 127:3). All her days are spent trying to redeem the time with her children and husband because she knows the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
The people of the community praise her because she willingly extends her hand to the poor, needy, and fatherless (Proverbs 31:20). On her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26) and nothing is done through selfish ambition but in lowliness of mind she esteems others better than herself (Philippians 2:3).
Her house now becomes a home because of her love for Christ, her love for His people and her dedication to her family. In her home there is an atmosphere of love and unity. You are greeted with welcoming arms and a friendly smile. All who enter are blessed and encouraged. The children are obedient and play nicely together. There is a sweet sense of peace and safety from the world. It is full of laughter, smiles, edifying speech and praises to God for His Son Jesus Christ.
Because this woman strongly believes in the sovereignty of God (Psalm 115:3), she has learned to be content in every situation (Philippians 4:11). Her motivation and her hope come from knowing that she is a recipient of redemption by grace (Romans 3:23-24) and that God will complete the good work He has begun in her (Philippians 1:6). In conclusion, she celebrates all the tasks of her womanhood because it is in her pursuit of these God-given tasks that she feels most fulfilled and thus her God is most glorified.

1 comments:

Laura {{* *}} said...

Thank you for the
watering reminder.
I was so thirsty!
{{* *}}