Devotional - 98-08-08 - To Have and to Hold

The Virtuous Woman Series, Part 12

Proverbs 31:19 - "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."

I went to Websters again for a couple of these words. Having never seen a spinning wheel, and having never made my own threads, I needed to see what these parts were. I found something very interesting.

Spindle n. - ¹ a round tapering stick or rod by which fibers are twisted. ² a slender pin or rod which turns or on which something else turns.

Distaff n. ¹ a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning. ² a woman's work or domain

Psalm 23:4 - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

This woman had nothing to fear. She knew what to lay her hands on. She knew what to hold on to.

Micah 6:9 - "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it."

The rod spoke of strength, protection and judgement. The shepherd used the rod to kill or injure predators. Moses used the rod to hold high during battle. The Proverbs 31 woman lays hold of this truth.

The staff was used to keep the sheep from danger, it lifted them off of cliffsides, dragged them out of rushing waters. The Proverbs 31 woman knows that the staff is something to hold on to tightly because it can keep her from falling into harm.

God: her Strength, her Protector, her Guide, her Rod, her Staff, her Spindle and Distaff. She lays her hands on and holds tight. She knows from whence cometh her help.

"Our Father Who art in Heaven Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our debts As we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptaion But deliver us from evil For Thine is the Kingdom And the Power And the Glory Forever. Amen"

Sandi