The Excellent Wife in Proverbs had an interesting talent. She sought out wool and flax and then spun it into garments for her family. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible had some interesting historical notes on this verse and the topic of spinning wool: The practice of spinning was common among princesses throughout history. Records shows that both Greek and Roman women of importance practiced the art of spinning and working with wool. And there is a Jewish saying that "there is no wisdom in a woman but in the distaff." Apparently the Proverbs wife understood that her role was to work with her hands and to produce garments for her family. She was good at it and delighted in this job. She also understood quality. In her era, a homespun wool garment was what princes wore. She wanted her husband to dress accordingly.
I don't think this verse means that we need to be spinning wool for our husband's today. But it does meant that we are to take delight in working at home for our families. Doing laundry should be delightful. Ironing shirts should make you smile. Why? Because that's what a wife can do to serve her husband. (And because we could be spinning the material from scratch.) The Excellent wife was not an idle woman.
I commented to a friend the other day that going to work was so much easier than being a full-time mom. But being a good wife and mother is not about easy work. It's not about getting our children out of our hair for a few hours. It's not about having "people" to help us out with housework. (I met a newly wed the other day who had a housekeeper!) Being a wife and a mom means that we take pride and joy in being good at what we do, because our client's are the best in the world!
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