Proverbs 31:21

Proverbs 31:21

AMP: She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.

CEV: Her family has warm clothing, and so she doesn’t worry when it snows.

MSG: She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

Notice the word ‘doubly’ in the Amplified Version. This could refer to covering their physical bodies with nice, warm clothing, as well as covering them with her prayers. The scarlet could represent how she pleads the blood of Christ over them, to protect them from the snare of the enemy. It’s similar to the story we find in Josh. 2 about the scarlet cord. As long as Rahab hung her scarlet cord in the window, she and her household would be protected.

It’s clear that this lady has taken inventory of what kind of clothing her family needs, whether physical clothing, or ‘clothing’ that she must provide through her intercession. As a careful manager of her home, she is ever watchful to notice when someone is in need of an extra portion of intercession to help them through life’s battles. As she does the tedious job of laundry, she takes time to notice when some garments need to be replaced or mended. Once she saw a need, she was eager to get busy and complete the task, not giving in to procrastination. I can even picture this dear lady praying for her loved ones, even as she handles each piece of their clothing.

As mothers, we can be so overwhelmed with the many duties that lie before us. We must be careful to take the time to notice when our loved ones are in special need of our intercession. It’s so easy to say, “I’ll pray for them later.” In this most important area, we must not give in to procrastination, but be willing to adjust our schedules to do a ‘higher duty’ — the duty of getting on our knees before our Maker, and interceding for those God has given to us.

Praying over the Bible