Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year OneSample

A gracious woman retains honor (Proverbs 11:16).

Are you a person of wisdom and good taste?

An attractive but tasteless woman is described in Proverbs 11:22: “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.” The Hebrew term for “discretion” conveys the idea of taste. Abigail stands in contrast to the Proverbs 11:22 woman. She is described as “a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance” (1 Samuel 25:3). In a day when marriages were arranged, Abigail was betrothed to Nabal. His name literally means a fool, and it matches him (1 Samuel 25:25). Abigail’s prudent actions save her moronic husband’s life from an enraged David. Subsequently, he gives her a triple blessing (1 Samuel 25:32-33). After David blesses God, he pronounces to Abigail, “And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand” (1 Samuel 25:33). No wonder Abigail’s story is biblically recorded.

Employment Point: Display the twin virtues of wisdom and discretion.