"She makes herself covering of tapestry"
This is in reference to what we would call, "Decorating our homes".
We are strange creatures! Typically we are not entirely satisfied by our current situations. We tend to dream about the future. In our minds we dream about the ideal home we will 'one day' live in. We imagine the delightful decor and furnishings on the inside and the beautiful landscaped gardens adorned with a carpet of brightly coloured blooms. We think, "One day when I am old enough, or when I get married or when we have the money I will make..."
We must realise that most of these places and ideas that we dream up do not simply appear without some hard work and, lots of experience and knowledge gained through learning by trial and error!
Most women delight in making a home beautiful to live in. The mistake we can often make is to wait until we move into that beautiful ideal home before we set our hands to work. So if you are living in someone's garage, a one room flat, renting or living in a small place. Do not be discouraged, set your hands to work and make your current living space beautiful. Gain experience, test out different decor techniques and create a lovely place to live in. Make the most of what the Lord has entrusted you with TODAY. Whatever your living circumstance. Be diligent, carefully and lovingly look after your place called home. (Your temporary place, as your real home is with the Lord!)
By no means spend a fortune on decor!!!!!!! Be wise and use what you have. The satisfaction of making something out of something else is good. This woman is wise and is always on the look out of ways in which she can make her home homely. Let us look at just one example. Have you seen the price of duvet covers in the shops? Exorbitant! You could wait for a sale at you local material shop and buy some lovely material and make your own for half the price!
I also know people who make their homes their god! A house must be placed in its correct context. It is provided by God for shelter and for a means of hospitality. We are to look after the home that God has provided us and place your home decorating in its correct place on your priority list. It is the Lords home so look after it properly.
"Her clothing is silk and purple"
What I have said on the decor issue applies to your wardrobe! It is true that the care and the way that you wear your clothing is important. A creased T-shirt, torn jeans and muddy shoes should rather be a choice for a session of gardening rather than visiting a friend or even greeting your husband after his long day of work in the office!
Let us get to the "hard to answer question". How should a godly, elegant, modest woman dress?
*Who and why?
We need to first establish who invented clothing and what was the purpose. The answer to that can be found in Genesis chapter 3. God invented clothing. Why? Adam and Eve sinned and God made clothes for them to wear to cover their nakedness. Clothes are meant to cover us up and not to expose our bodies.
*How are we to dress?
We have been bought with a price. The Lord has saved us and forgiven us through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Our bodies belong to Him, therefore we are to dress to please the Lord.
*Cost?
Your wardrobe doest not have to consist of the most expensive clothing your bank can afford! The town in which you live on or even the culture you live in could greatly affect how one would answer this question! I used to live in a small town in Zambia. Our choice for buying clothes were either from a small PEP store or the local market. We had to work with what we had.
*Fashion?
Modesty is an important factor. Many clothes are not modest but are accepted as the 'norm'. I do not agree with the notion that a woman needs to dress according to what is in fashion! We need to break out of that mind set, it is actually ok to wear last seasons fashion! Do not look to mans choice of clothing but rather your conscience. The fashion trends actually lean towards enhancing sexuality by getting people to undress in public. This is horrific. We have been brainwashed to be persuaded to dress as pagans. Walking around half naked defying God and His purpose for clothing.
Gender distinction?
The Feminist movement has resulted in woman neglecting their God given role and has persuaded to take on a role on a man. Which clearly is mocking God. The horrific consequences can be seen today. Often a woman who demands to take on a mans role in life can be spotted by their clothing. It is important to dress femininely.
Heart attitude?
What ever is in your heart will be reflected by what you say and how you act. The way in which you dress will reflect your heart attitude. Go before the Lord and examine your heart. Always check your motives for liking particular clothing and wanting to wear them.
Many times my husband sends me out to the shops to buy clothing and I often come home empty handed! I should now realise that he should be sending me to the material shop to buy a handful of patterns and material instead! I am not saying that you must never buy clothes from the shops. Just be wise in your purchases.
Why should our homes and the way that we dress be beautiful?
- It reflects our stewardship of our homes and clothes
- Reflects our heart attitudes.
- We are ambassadors for Christ. When an ambassador is representing their country in a strange land, the appearance of their homes and clothing are important.
We do know that this Godly woman also realises that it is not the adorning of the body which is important but the condition of her heart which is of the upmost importance!
Some important verses to look at regarding modesty, Please write them out:
*1 Corinthians 6:19-20
*1 Corinthians 10:31
*Proverbs 11:22
*1 Timothy 2:9-10
*Romans 14:8
*Romans 14:19-21
*Romans 12:2
*Proverbs 31:30
Recommended Reading:
*The Look, does God really care what I where? by Nancy Leigh Demoss
*Christian modesty and the Public undressing of America by Jeff Pollard
