She watches over...

Proverbs 31: 27

"She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness."

NASB

The bride 'watches' - interesting word.  This word for 'watch' is used in other places in the Bible often in the context of the King's guards that 'watch' from their watchtowers to see if there are danger, enemies or messengers approaching (e.g. 2 Sam 18:24-27, 2 Kings 9:17-20).  In Song of Songs 7:4 this word is used in the context of the bride being described as a tower watching out in the direction of Damascus, in other words as being a watchman looking out, discerning approaching danger or messengers from afar.  

Likewise consider the context of the following scriptures: 

Is 21:6
"For thus has the Lord said to me:
“Go, set a watchman,
Let him declare what he sees.” NKJ

Jer 6:17
"Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!" NKJ

Ezekiel 3:17 

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.." NKJ

Hab 2:1

"...I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation and station myself on the tower or fortress, and will watch to see what He will say within me and what answer I will make [as His mouthpiece] to the perplexities of my complaint against Him. 2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by..."  

When we thus consider the use of the word 'watches' in this scripture in Proverbs, it is not far fetched to understand this scripture to mean that the bride is acting as a watchman for her household.  She is on her watchtower to intercede for her 'household' (a household would include more than just family, it would include everyone that God gives us to be in relationship with, e.g. family, employees, friends and friends of my family, children and grandchildren, etc.) for a number of reasons.  Interceding can take on many forms and can have many purposes, but for the purpose of this devotional I would like us to focus on the following three scenarios:

• She watches out, prays into and brings the Lord's word of direction and encouragement for her household, as well as:
• The Lord's word of warning regarding approaching danger to her household, to ensure that they are prepared and on guard, and
• In doing so for her own household, she would also be doing it for the neighbours and the city and the nation.   

If we consider the following sentence in that verse within the context of intercession, it reminds me of Isaiah 56:10 "[Israel’s] watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, they love to slumber."  The bride in Proverbs 31 is not blind and without knowledge, nor is she dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber - in other words, she does not eat the bread of idleness...  she is vigilant and lives out her calling to watch over her household.

In Revelation 3 there is an end-time warning and an encouragement for us in this context:

"These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Points to ponder this week:

• Let us repent of having a name that we are alive but we are dead, and let us become watchful and strengthen that which remains before it dies.  Let us fan the flame from the few coals there still is, so that the thief will not come upon us unnoticed and so that we will be of those whose garments were not defiled and whose names are not blotted out from the book of life.  
• Since we are nearing the end of 2021, what is the word of encouragement and direction God has for you and your household?
• Is there a word of warning to heed?  
• What about your neighbourhood, city or nation?    

The Watchmen - Paul Wilbur