The Holy Bible is really important to my family and I. We grew up knowing the Lord and I remember Father always telling us to pray pray pray! I still do not understand all the parts of the Bible, but I do remember Father always telling us to remember scripture when we were little girls. One of the important ones were these two verses from Psalms 31:16-17. It states, "She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." I think that Father wanted us to remember these verses because it is a good reminder that if we set our minds to something, we will be able to get it done no matter what others say to us. I also believe that the verse describes the strength that God has gifted women with. I have mixed feelings about the way women are portrayed in the Bible. In other sections of the Bible, women are portrayed as inferior to men, however in this verse, I like that a light is shown on the power of femininity. I am glad that Father told us to remember the Lord and his goodness because there are times when I feel alone. In those times, I remember what Father has told me, and I look to God for help and through any trials or tribulations because I know he will understand. As I have gotten older, the Bible has made more sense each and every day and I have Father to thank for that blessing. One of the most difficult experiences of my life was the passing of Father. However, from his passing I learned that people will come and go, but the Lord will always be there.
Editorial Commentary: The verses from Psalms 31:16-17 state, “She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Phyllis Lorimer may have had a connection to this Bible verse because it describes a woman and the strength that she has similar to the strength that Phyllis has using her freedom. It could have importance in her life because she needs the constant reminder of having traits more important than her physical appearance of beauty. The quote uses an analogy of a woman buying a field and planting a vineyard to represent the independence of a women. At the time, men were usually only allowed to buy land and women had no say in the relationship during a marriage. Because of this societal norm, this verse is attractive to women at the time who needed support in going against the grain of society. In relation to gender and sexuality, this Bible verse portrays how there is evidence even in the Bible that God believed in the fortitude of women and how women were just as important as men were. In contrast, other chapters of the Bible mainly speak about how men have a greater playing field than what women have. For example, in terms of job security in the church, men traditionally are given the God given roles and have the final say when decisions are made. The Bible traditionally says that God called women to be the housekeepers of the home and called men to be the breadwinners of the home. It is important to note that this verse in particular goes against the rest of the Bible in this way. In relation to Phyllis Lorimer, she thinks that the independence of women is important not only for herself, but also for her sisters who need the support in order to start up a photography business. Phyllis wants to be supportive towards her sisters because she is loving in that way and shows her romantic affection of the photography shop through her sisters who have a greater passion than herself for the art of photography.
Citations:
“Antique Holy Bible 1800's John E. Potter and Company, Illustrated, Color Maps.” Worthpoint, 2020, www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-holy-bible-1800s-john-potter-181….
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version Containing the Old and New Testaments: ESV. Crossway, 2011.