With the snow we got over the weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to write a devotion around the topic.  I was excited to find that this natural element is used to help describe the Proverbial Woman.  As I read this short scripture, I see a women who is proactive in caring for and protecting her family. 

"She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet." Proverbs 31:21

According to the WorldAtlas.com, winter in Israel is characterized as "mild, wet winters."  Snow is not completely out of the question, but the region typically only sees snow flurries maybe a couple times a year.  Their snowfall doesn't quite match up with what we are used to during our West Virginia winters. However, with snow comes the cold.  In Biblical times, people lived in houses made of mud and stones. They didn't have modern forms of heat such as a furnace, or double-pained windows, storm doors, and six-inch insulation in the walls and attic. When snow came, it created a very challenging situation.  

The Proverbial Woman knew the chance of snow was slim, but when it did happen, she was prepared.... she was not afraid of this dangerous, life-threatening form of winter weather.  Her household was "clothed in scarlet" (NKJV). Holmans CSB states that her household is "doubly clothed."  The use of scarlet to describe the clothing of her family can be interpreted in many different ways. One popular interpretation is that the clothing is made of fine, high-quality material which would provide a heaver layer than what was worn in the summer season. Regardless, we know this woman made sure her household was well prepared to face the worst, so the thought of snow or a storm didn't scare her.

One consideration we can take from this verse is that we need to be prepared for the worst.   Sometimes our life gets hit with the worst of storms.... sub-zero temps, snow that's hip deep, low to no visibility, wind, ice... reminds me of the winter storm that hit West Virginia in March 1993!  However, I'm not really talking about snow. You know that, right?? 

In the world today, Satan sure is busy throwing those fiery darts mentioned in Ephesians 6:16.  We must be prepared so we are not riddled with fear when the storm hits!  In the role of a Proverbial Woman, we not only prepare ourselves, but also our household, our family. When we cloth our family in scarlet - the blood of Jesus Christ - we are preparing them for the storm as well.  Only Jesus can cloth us with the hope, strength, and determination we need to make it through the storm. 

I hope you aspire to be a Proverbial Woman.  If so, be proactive and prepare yourself and your family for the snow. Don't wait until the storm hits to lean on Jesus. He has a complete wardrobe for everyone to keep them safe and warm1