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Scripture reading – Proverbs 14
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.
Today’s Scripture reading is Proverbs 14, and our Bible study will focus on the first verse, Proverbs 14:1.
American poet William Ross Wallace wrote a beautiful poem celebrating motherhood in 1865 called “What Rules the World.” The same poem was republished in 1898 as “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” taking its title from the poem’s refrain: “For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
Blessing on the hand of woman!
Angels guard her strength and grace;
In the cottage, palace, hovel!
O, no matter where the place!
Would that never storms assailed it;
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy’s the tender fountain;
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlet,
From them souls unresting grow.
Growing on for good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or darkness hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Women, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep, O keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship of the sky-
Mingled where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are curled!
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
-William Ross Wallace.
The Scriptures define the biblical role of a husband as that of provider, protector, lover, and friend. God observed, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Therefore, He declared, “I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). As she assumes her role as man’s suitable helper, the woman finds fulfillment in loving her husband and nurturing the sons and daughters who are the fruit of her relationship with him (Proverbs 31).
In Proverbs 14:1, Solomon compares the influence of two women: one who builds her house and another who tears it down.
Proverbs 14:1 – 1 Every wise [clever; skilled; prudent] woman buildeth [establish; construct; manufacture]her house: but the foolish [woman who rejects wisdom and instruction] plucketh it [her house] down [to break down; destroy] with her hands.
The wise woman builds her household. (Proverbs 14:1a)
“Every wise woman,” without exception, builds and strengthens her home (14:1a). She is wise, and her wisdom comes from her “fear of the LORD,” which is “the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). She loves the Lord and His commandments. She is spiritually minded and practices spiritual discernment.
The foolish woman destroys her home. (Proverbs 14:1b)
While “every wise woman” builds her home, the “foolish woman” destroys her family “with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1b). She develops an attitude that refuses instruction and bristles at correction. She is not spiritually minded and becomes self-focused. She lacks discernment and destroys and breaks down those closest to her (Deuteronomy 28:53-57).
A foolish woman is unloving and self-serving (Galatians 5:19-21), but a “wise woman” builds her home with love (Galatians 5:22-23).
Copyright © 2025 – Travis D. Smith
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The post The Powerful Influence of Womanhood: The Heart of a Wife and Mother (Proverbs 14) appeared first on “From The Heart of A Shepherd” by Pastor Travis D. Smith.
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