The Proverbs 31 woman is an early worm…like the kind that gets up at dark thirty to start her business.
This is more than a little disheartening to this girl who likes to sleep in!
However, in the Pulpit Commentary, I found an interesting little tidbit that shines a deeper light on Proverbs 31 than simply the timing of a woman’s sleep and work habits.
A lamp is always kept burning at night in Eastern houses, and as it is of very small dimensions, the careful housewife has to rise at midnight to replenish the oil
biblehub.com, Pulpit Commentary, “Proberbs 31:15
As I read this, my mind couldn’t help but make a leap forward in the Bible to a time when Jesus spoke of lamps burning in the middle of the night. Testament.
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Matthew 25:1-10 NIV
I have a feeling that the example set by the Proverbs 31 woman has a lot less to do with getting up early than it has to do with being ready…with keeping your lamp full of oil.
The Proverbs 31 woman got up early just to be sure that there was oil in the lamp. The wise virgins of Matthew 25 had oil in their lamp.
I think the messages of Proverbs 31:15 and Matthew 25 are linked and very clear. As the bride of Christ we must be ready!
We must have oil in our lamps!
Do you have oil in your lamp and an extra bottle on hand?
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you read your Bible and pray? Work toward becoming more like Jesus every day?
If not, it’s time to buy your oil!
It won’t be long until we hear the call that Jesus is coming and, when the call comes, there won’t be time to buy oil
It’s time to be ready!
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