The Accomplished Woman – #23

The “Accomplished Woman” knows how to dress!

Proverbs 31:22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

As we look in retrospect at what we have learned to this point, we must remember these scriptures concerning the virtuous woman were the ABC’s of what a young man was to look for in a wife. This is, in essence, God’s idea of the kind of girl he wants a man to marry if he is to succeed.

The previous verses have described how the “Accomplished Woman” walks, breathes, thinks, conducts her life, etc. Then it gives an account of her conduct with her family, how she clothes her household with scarlet, etc., which we discussed in detail.

But this verse begins a discourse on a covering of tapestry she made, and then her own personal clothing.

As I began to study and meditate, I noticed only two places in scripture that the word “tapestry” was used. The first was the Proverbs 31 woman and the other referenced a harlot.

Both of these are found in the Proverbs. I believe this has a lot to say about the variance between good women and bad women!

Here are the contrasting verses;

Good girl:
Proverbs 31:22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Bad girl:
Proverbs 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

So I began to ponder the word tapestry. What is a tapestry? A tapestry is a heavy woven fabric characterized by intricate pictorial designs. It’s usually a bedspread or a coverlet of some kind. It can also be a rug.  It’s a woven picture.

Jewish Rabbis say it represents character traits: a life that’s been woven together by good or bad deeds. It’s an interesting dichotomy between these 2 women.

The virtuous woman makes herself a covering of tapestry. Her picture is woven from a life of love, purity, serving, and godliness. Her marriage bed is undefiled.

But the harlot decks her bed with a tapestry of deceit, adultery and impurity. Egyptian linen was forbidden because of the three cardinal sins that were associated with Egypt.
These sins were idolatry, adultery and murder. The harlot seduces men with her tapestry of life.

The “Accomplished Woman’s” clothing is silk and purple. The Amplified version is most descriptive of this verse: “Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].”

She is set apart by her clothing, beauty, modesty and holiness. Choices were made as each of these women chose her personal covering. This clothing speaks of the influence that women have in the world.

Women have the ability to exercise great influence and power over men.

Though deceived, Eve influenced Adam. Part of that influence was the reason that they lost the Garden!

Abigail influenced the soon to be King David for the good. Her influence saved her family and even David’s soon to be kingdom!

Jezebel influenced King Ahab for the bad. Her influence produced a lost kingdom!

Esther influenced King Ahasuerus for the good. Her influence was pivotal for saving a nation!

Herodias daughter influenced her father, King Herod, for bad. Her influence caused the great prophet John the Baptist to lose his head.

Mary was influenced by God and bore the Messiah!

The “Accomplished Woman” knows how to dress. She is a strong, powerful and valiant force. She dresses as a warrior of righteousness. She is virtuous in every aspect of her life. She would never use her beauty or influence for self-empowerment, but only for God’s glory and purpose.

Women were not meant to be objects. Woman is a gift to man. Woman is a gift to the world. Women were created to complete men and influence the world for God and His purposes.

Her life should be a beautiful tapestry of love and devotion to God. Her clothing inside and out is as holy and pure as the priestly garments.

President John Adams said it this way:
“From all that I have read of history and government of human life and manners, I have drawn this conclusion: the manners of women are the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation.

Proverbs 31:22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

One of the most important ways that we cover ourselves is to put on the garment of prayer. Our life should be a beautiful tapestry of love and devotion to God. Our clothing inside and out is as holy and pure as the priestly garments.

Here is the prayer I wrote for my daughter, Brooke:

I dedicate it now to Ryan, Olivia, Beau and Sunny, my little  “Accomplished Women” granddaughters that are in training.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come presenting my daughters and granddaughters to you.

I confess that because she has made Jesus the Lord of her life and is being trained in the way she should go, even when she is old she shall not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

She shall be as Ruth. You cannot urge her to leave the God of her Godly parents nor leave the principles they taught her. (Ruth 1:16)

She shall be as Abigail: an intercessor, a woman of great understanding and a beautiful countenance.(1Samuel 25:3)

She shall be as Esther. She shall obtain favor in the sight of all who look upon her, and change the destinies of those she touches with her life.
(Esther 2:15)

Her adornment shall not be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather it will be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
(1Peter 3:3,4)

She shall be a virtuous (Accomplished Woman). Her price is far above rubies. When she marries, her husband’s heart will safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil all the days of his life. She knows how to dress, strength and dignity shall be her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Proverbs 31: 25,26)

The man God will lead her to will find a [true] wife (my daughter, granddaughters) and he finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs18:22)

She shall be as Sarah. She receives strength to conceive by the incorruptible seed (the Word of God), by faith and fulfills the will of God in her life because she judges Him faithful who has promised. (Hebrews 11:11)

She shall be as Mary. It shall be true unto her according to the Word of God. (Luke 1:38)
For there shall be a performance of those things promised her by The Lord. (Luke 1:45)

Amen, so be it for all our Godly daughters and granddaughters!!

The “Accomplished Woman” knows how to dress!