Скачать или смотреть Clothed in strength and dignity

A passage that celebrates the qualities of a woman of faith, one who is "clothed in strength and dignity," Proverbs 31_25-31. The woman in this passage doesn’t let the distractions keep her from meeting her responsibilities. Her well-ordered priorities allow her to value strength and dignity above charm and outer beauty, which the Proverb calls “deceptive” and “fleeting” respectively (Proverbs 31:25). Moreover, her hopeful demeanor keeps her from worrying about the future, allowing her to “laugh at the days to come.” (Proverbs 31:25).

The woman clothed in strength and dignity is to be honored. This is an important instruction for men to actively express gratitude for a “wife of noble character” through words and deeds rather than just words or thoughts. This praise doesn’t have to be limited to wives and mothers, either. It can be extended to other women who serve as blessings in a man’s life.

Jasmine Esli's recitation of Proverbs 31:25-31 is a pure expression of the message in this passage, a recitation that, itself, is clothed in strength and dignity. The implication of being "clothed" is three-fold:

1. Scripture often uses clothing to symbolize a person’s spiritual state. Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves not only to literally cover up their nakedness but also to symbolically cover up the shame that they felt after disobeying God (Genesis 3:7-8). Christians know to "put on the full armor of God" to be spiritually prepared for battle against the world’s many temptations (Ephesians 6:10-17); in Revelation those who go to Heaven will be dressed in white, signifying their spiritual purity (Revelation 7:9-14).

2. Clothing is also your outward expression to the world, how you influence and give an impression to the outside. Are you clothed in gold and silk, or in good deeds (1 Timothy 2:9-10)? Our clothing conveys what we find to be of value and where our priorities lie. To be clothed in strength and dignity is to express to the world that you find these to be qualities of value.

3. Ultimately, our clothing reflects our ultimate unifying allegiance, our "team." In Galatians 3:26-28: "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

This recitation is a beautiful reminder to honor those women clothed in strength and dignity, who walk uprightly in the Christian faith. You, too, can recite Scripture. For other examples of reciting Scripture, see our other By Heart recitation videos such as 1 Peter 1:1-25 and the Essentials of the Christian Faith video.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" Hebrews 10:24