Day 6: Becoming Like a Merchant Ship

Proverbs 31:14 (KJV) "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar."

Proverbs 31:14 (ERV) "She is like a ship from a faraway place. She brings home food from everywhere."

Proverbs 31:14 (NLV) "She is like ships that trade. She brings her food from far away."

When I first read this verse, I wasn't sure what this meant about the Proverbs 31 woman, so I decided to research the meaning.

'Bible Gateway' is a GREAT tool to use when you are studying the Bible. There are ton of different Bibles to utilize as well as commentaries, indexes, devotionals, and more.

One of the commentaries discussed this very verse.

The commentary states, "This striking simile of “the merchant ship” describes the mother “whose price is above rubies,” and was analyzed in this sevenfold way by Dr. Fred John Meldau in a “Mother’s Day” article in his commendable Christian Victory magazine." 

I took some of this commentary (because I LOVED it) and ran with it, while adding a little more to it :)

1. A merchant ship had to have a pilot. The Proverbs 31 woman had Jesus Christ as the pilot of her heart and her home. We must be the same way. Jesus must be at the forefront of our hearts, so that he can be at the forefront of our homes as well.

God, help us to keep you #1 in our lives. God, help us to prayer continually. Pray that You will help us with our decisions, pray that you will bless our families, pray that you will sweep through our homes with your peace and love. Jesus, be the pilot of our lives and our family.

2. Merchant ships were guided by a compass/north star. The compass of the Proverbs 31 woman's life was the Word of God. This has to be the compass of our lives, our decisions. 

God, help us to remember that power that is in Your Word. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Let us use this Word to speak life in to our families, in to our lives, in to our relationships. 

3. Merchant ships bring cargo from distant lands. I loved how this part of the verse was explained in this commentary. The Proverbs 31 woman transfers the blessings of heaven to the lives around her. Through prayer, through fasting, through Bible reading... she gains the attention of Heaven and she lets God work through her, spreading these blessings to those around her.

God, help us to be God-centered women. Help us to pray- help us to fast- help us to read your Word, help us to protect our minds/eyes. Help us to continually me in communion with You, so that we can be a blessing to others that need it!

4. Merchant ships endure storms at sea. The Proverbs 31 woman protects her family when the storms of life threaten their welfare. She will do whatever it takes to take care of them-- whatever storms may come.

God, help us to be consistent in our prayer lives, so that we can endure the storms of life that may face us and our families. Prayer is the only way to get prepare and get through the difficult times of life. Let us remember this.

5. Merchant Ships Are Ever Active, and Well-Stocked for Long Journeys. The Proverbs 31 woman needs to take care of herself (so that she is well-stocked for the journeys her family takes.) The Proverbs 31 woman is also always on duty to cheer, comfort, and encourage her family. 

God, help us to take care of ourselves (we cannot give from an empty cup) so that we are prepared for the journeys our family takes- school, doctor appointments, health troubles, financial difficulties, etc. Let us take care of ourselves, so that we are able to consistently be on duty to love our family, cheer our family up, comfort our family, etc.

6. Merchant Ships Head for a Harbor to Unload Their Cargo. The Proverbs 31 woman desired to bring her family in to the harbor where they would be safe. According to the dictionary, 'harbor' is described as, "a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures." The Proverbs 31 woman wants her family to find shelter from the rough waters of life-- we can find harbor (a safe shelter) in Jesus Christ.

7. Merchant Ships Keep Nothing for Themselves. "What they carry is for others. Reaching their destination, their goods are unloaded for the benefit of others—True mothers are unselfish and sacrificial, whose lives are spent for the enrichment of others, and who never fail to deliver the best of goods to those around them. 

God, help us to be unselfish and sacrificial. Help us to keep our families #1 in our lives. Help us to always attempt to do good to those around of us. Let us be full of love. 

I thought this was a beautiful message about merchant ships-- and how Proverbs 31 likens this precious woman to one. 

Reading through this passage made me realize how precious women are to their household. Now, I'm not saying that men are not valuable by saying this, but reading this passage, you realize how NEEDED a woman is to her home. A woman who continually prays for her family, continually takes care of herself so that she can be the best version of herself, continually sacrifices for her family, continually keeps Jesus #1. 

Love you all! Thank you for joining me on this journey to becoming a better Mother, Wife, and Person.