Proverbs 31:13 Seek wool and flax, and work with willing hands. [to develop it].

This is the verse we mentioned in the introductory lesson. Again, I wouldn’t suggest taking this verse too literally, unless you want to develop wool and flax. If you don’t want to develop wool and linen, keep in mind that the spirit of the text speaks of the Proverbs 31 woman being a hardworking woman. It also talks about something a little deeper.

As with rubies and pearls (Lesson 2), wool and linen also have symbolic meaning. First, let’s define wool and linen. Wool is the dense, soft and often curly hair that forms the sheep’s fur and that is transformed into textile fiber. (See education.yahoo.com). After being processed, the wool is white and is therefore used as a symbol of purity (See Deuteronomy 22: 9-11) and forgiveness of sins (See Isaiah 1:18).

Flax is a widely cultivated plant, with pale blue flowers, seeds that produce linseed oil, and thin stems from which a textile fiber is obtained. (See education.yahoo.com). It is collected and processed into a very fine thread that is used for high-quality linen or lace, or a stronger thread that is used to make ropes. (See angelfire.com).

The spiritual meaning of wool and flax includes that both items must be processed before they can be useful. Its uses are both functional (wool – heat) and fashionable (linen-linen-beautiful clothes). Both are derived from living things: wool from animals (sheep) and flax from plants. However, it is in these leads that I see something of great spiritual significance. In the days of the Bible, the Israelites forbade the Israelites to wear wool and linen together. (See Deut. 22: 9-11 and Eze. 44: 17-18.). Obviously, one does not usually mix the two together, because wool provides warmth and linen provides freshness. However, more important than this, the wool represents the Sons of God, and the flax (flax) represents the world or the Gentiles. The wool came from sheep, a symbol of the Sons of God, and the flax came from Egypt, a type of the world. (See Isaiah 19: 9).

God forbade His chosen people to mix with those who were outside the Covenant. Similarly, it forbids us, as Christians, to be yoked with unbelievers. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14). However, it is God’s will that all men be saved. The fact that he had a chosen people, the Israelites, would only be the first of his Kingdom. It was always his wish that the Gentiles would worship him as Jehovah. It is also his wish that unbelievers become believers. So when I read that the Proverbs 31 woman “looks for wool and flax and works with hands willing to develop it,” I see ministry. I see her ministering to the Christian (teaching) and the unbeliever (evangelism). Her “hands ready to develop it” tell her that she never gives up on sharing the God of her salvation with others and does not get discouraged if people seem unreceptive. She knows that she has planted or watered a seed and God will provide the increase. (See I. Cor. 3: 6). Now, does this mean that everyone should be a minister? No. Not everyone is called to ministry, per se. However, we must all share the gospel with others. We do this by witnessing with our mouths and with our lifestyle. We don’t have to go up to the pulpit and take a text, but we do have to let the light of God shine through us. Therefore, be a Proverbs 31 woman and willingly let your light shine before Christians and unbelievers, so that neither of them lives under the privilege of salvation, which is complete peace.

Be blessed! See you in the next article!