Should a woman work? Should a woman be President of the United States? How should a man relate to his boss who is a woman? Just the fact I’m posing these questions seems dangerous.
Our politically correct, media-crazed climate makes working women a toxic topic. But before you go bonkers over the questions, read the young Shulammite’s personal testimony:
“I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, for the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own vineyard”—Song of Solomon 1:5-6.
When young Solomon saw this woman, he saw a woman who knew how to work. Her skin was dark from long hours in the vineyard under the hot sun. She felt conspicuous because classy women of her day took care of their skin and their appearance better than she had. She admitted that while serving her family, she had neglected herself.
Here are a few lessons we can learn from this humble lady:
A working woman is sexy.
She said, “I am black but lovely.” She didn’t damage her skin at the tanning bed. Nor did she have a sunburn from her quick trip to the beach. Neither tanning beds nor beach trips are wrong, but she sported a deep tan from a working lifestyle. Yet her willingness to serve her family with sacrifice was very attractive. It still is.
A working woman is exceptional.
“Do not stare at me…” She knew she was different. Women of her status in her day just didn’t work like that. But she ignored cultural expectations and served until her body bore the marks of her labor. Work builds character and character wins the confidence of others. A woman of excellence is still very rare. See Proverbs 31:1.
A working woman is sacrificial.
This Shulammite woman confessed, “…I have not taken care of my own vineyard.” She’s not endorsing sloppiness and there is certainly nothing spiritual about neglecting your appearance. But her life demonstrated a commitment to making other people better. Solomon could have written about many other women, but this lady got his attention because she sacrificed her life, her prestige, and her possible future for the sake others.
So should women work? I don’t know where. And I don’t know for what. That’s between you and the Lord. But what is clear is that a woman of excellence “does not eat the bread of idleness”—Proverbs 31:27b. She serves her family. She helps the poor. She takes care of business.
I know of no woman who works harder and who so often puts the interests of others before her own than my sweet wife. And I know of no woman more attractive than she is. “Many daughters have done nobly, but (she) excels them all”—Proverbs 31:29.
Now it’s your turn. How does the Shulammite compare or contrast to today’s model of womanhood? Comment below.
Her submission to authority in her life made her the most attractive, I believe. A woman who understands that God is her ultimate authority and that if He has placed her somewhere then she is in His will! Even if, like the Shulamite brother’s, she isn’t in the most “ideal” situation, she trusts in Her God and His provision and HIS TIMING and she serves and submits while she waits on God. She doesn’t go around complaining about her situation and her plight. She just blooms where she is planted and waits and prays on God’s deliverance. Too many women today take their cues from the world (and even the preacher BEFORE THE BIBLE AND GOD) and this is where they get into trouble. Even Christian women often think that if their husband isn’t following God, then they are in the right to defy him and get out from under his authority in their life. Clearly this is unscriptural (unless, of course, he asks them to sin). I actually believe the Lord often allows this in a Christian woman’s life to test her and see if she is willing to trust Him and wait on His deliverance. Sadly, many are not willing, and they justify their own sin and divorce or whatever by pointing to their husband’s sin. And the sadder part still is they miss the opportunity to be refined and made beautiful in the process. It is between a woman and God as to whether she ‘works’ outside the home, but I also do believe, that God has made it clear in His word (Titus 2 for example) where He expects her ministry to be. I work outside the home as a secondary ministry a few hours per week, but thankfully, our obedience to bring me home after our children were born has been rewarded. I believe if we would just obey God’s Word we would see His blessing, but we often refuse to do so.
Timely perspective Daryl as I have been praying about who the Lord would have me vote for in the next election and whether it would be His will for a woman to be president IF SHE were the only Christian to choose from.
Amanda Bowers
Great comments. Thanks!