Godly wisdom costs what you don’t ever want back again. Once you start experiencing the advantages of true wisdom and beauty you will see that what you had before and were holding on to so tightly wasn’t at all beneficial or trustworthy.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
To fear the Lord means that you value God’s thoughts, and go after His ways for your life, and trust Him for the outcome of your life. Ultimately it’s the praise of our heavenly Father that we really want, and should live for.
God describes the twelve gates of His kingdom as twelve single pearls. (Revelation 21:21) Why does He describe the entrances to His kingdom as pearls?
For centuries the pearl has been highly valued as an object of incomparable beauty. God’s Kingdom has to be beautiful beyond our imagination. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
The word “pearl” has become a symbol for something very rare, fine, admirable and valuable. The pearl represents purity, innocence, chastity and is why it is often seen on bridal gowns, or worn as jewelry by brides. The pearl is the oldest known gem, and for many centuries it was considered the most valuable. The pearl is unlike other gems which are treated before they are ready to be sold.
The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild and so they are extremely rare. Pearls develop in their shell from the constant irritation of ‘grit,’ and the result over time produces the most valuable and beautiful pearls.
Cultured (hand-treated) pearls make up the majority of those that are currently sold, but their quality of iridescence is poor, unlike natural pearls. Artificial pearls are easily distinguishable from genuine pearls. So it is the same with us: pure or cultured; genuine or artificial.
Jesus said that the “pure in heart” will see God (Matthew 5:8) and that nothing impure or artificial will enter His kingdom. (Revelation 21:27) He referred to the kingdom of God as a merchant looking for costly pearls. (Matthew 13:45-46)
Religion makes you into a cultured pearl. A personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ makes you into a pure pearl, which is a rarity today.
Like a pearl, our luster comes from daily irritations (trials and temptations) as we grow in our most holy faith – staying right where He wants us; overcoming.
Although the woman of God is mocked for her purity, she pities mockers (cultured/artificial) for how foolish they are and for how they will suffer great loss. (Proverbs 9:12) She pities them and so she prays for them; she does not mock them or criticize them. Her perspective is higher than that of worldly women. The pure woman of God has nothing to fear; her Father God has her covered and protected for her worth to come forth. In His hands she is like a pearl in its shell.
The pure in heart know the line that should not be crossed. If we are foolish enough to use the grace and gifts of God in the wrong way it’s just a matter of time before we must live with the trouble and disgrace of having crossed that line. Like a pearl growing in its shell, God keeps His illustrious daughters safe and secure.
The virtuous woman has a good understanding of what her purity with God will result in. She is kept from the trouble and disgrace that her hostile opponents live with. She’s confident of who she is to God, and she guards her heart for His kingdom where she and her family are proud citizens.