Recently the Connections group met and discussed Proverbs 31 and focussed on several women in the Old and New Testament who displayed the kind of wisdom and industriousness mentioned in the chapter and here I would contend we have a beautiful example of ‘a woman of noble character’ giving Proverbs 31 a human face – Lydia.
Lydia was a trailblazer: a first in so many ways. She lived in the Roman world where women were considered beneath men. Yet she was an emancipated and successful businesswoman, trading in purple cloth – a very costly process, its dye coming from a particular type of shellfish.
She and several other women were met by Paul, Silas Luke and Timothy by the river outside the city. She was obviously an inspirational leader ‘a worshipper of God’ (v15) deeply spiritual with a heart open to God and an encouragement to the other women who met with her and the first baptised convert in Europe! She is still an inspirational role model for Christian women today. It is likely that she was also a member of the house church in Philippi. (Note the opening chapters of Paul’s letter to the Philippians)
She was wealthy, courageous, hospitable and independent, owning and managing a household large enough to accommodate Paul and his three companions. (v15) Finally we know that Lydia was no conformist!. She knew her own mind and was confident and brave enough to invite these 4 men to shelter in her home thus possibly compromising her own security.
As Christian women we can learn a lot from Lydia – a role model even for today. She demonstrated that it is possible to have a business, possess wealth and exercise leadership without neglecting her spiritual life. She used her wealth unhesitatingly for the progress of the gospel and to support the Christian Church at its beginnings. “A woman of noble character.” Proverbs 31:10-31
(Ideas for the content of this piece taken from “Inspiring Women Everyday” – Spring 2015 -Eleanor Hewitt).
Sandra Piggott
(Nov 2015)
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