The new book Strength of a Woman: Why You Are Proverbs 31, by author Lauren Crews, releases April 16th. This is not another typical Proverbs 31 book. Instead, it is a unique look at the passage as an acrostic poem. Lauren uses the imagery of Hebrew letters and relates them the redemption stories of some very unlikely Proverbs 31 women. Here is what we discussed during my interview with the author.
Pamela Christian – What do you think of the Proverbs 31 woman?
Lauren Crews – She is often taught as the perfect example of biblical womanhood. Although we have much to learn from her, so many women see her as an unobtainable standard. The passage often left me with the question of how is a single woman, a widow or a divorced woman expected to measure up?
PC – How is this book different from other Proverbs 31 books?
LC – Would it surprise you to know the Proverbs 31 passage holds a military theme? The passage has multiple references to warfare and the duties of the tabernacle priests. The passage is an acrostic poem of the Hebrew alphabet. Through imagery of the Hebrew alphabet, word studies, and several raw stories of forgiveness and spiritual growth, we learn how this woman is so much more than a standard. She is a watchman on the wall and a mighty warrior, and through Christ, she is a force.
PC – Can you give an example of something most readers would be surprised about?
LC – For example, most Bibles translate Proverbs 31:10 as “Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies.” The word virtuous sometimes reads as excellent or valor but in Hebrew, the word is strong, and it always refers to the strength of a soldier or army.
Verse 10 begins with the Hebrew letter alef which holds the imagery of an ox. Oxen are yoked animals who work together. The passage is advice to a man and one of the first pieces of advice is to be yoked to a woman of strength with whom he can work well. But, even more, as Christians we are yoked to Christ and it is through Him, we find our strength.
PC – The book sounds rather academic. How have you made it interesting for the everyday reader?
LC – I’ve included the stories of twenty very unlikely Proverbs 31 women. If you meet them today you would see thriving Christian women, but each traveled through a dark and difficult time in their lives. Their stories reveal how they lived out the characteristic of each letter and its relation to the verse. They have truly become Proverbs 31 women.
For those who are as academic, I offer an accompanying devotional. In it you are provided condensed information about the Hebrew letter, a snippet of each woman’s story and questions to reflect on. There is so much more to the Proverbs 31 passage.
PC – What do you want readers to take away from this book?
LC – I want them to redefine the predefined consequences and stigmas society, and sometimes even the church, puts on women who face hard things in life. Christ alone is the author of our stories and He is the true strength of a woman.
PC – How can we find your books?
Both books are available through my website and release on Amazon April 16th. Use this link to access Amazon.
Book Title: Strength of a Woman: Why You Are a Proverbs 31 Woman and Strength of a Woman: 31 Day to Celebrating Your Place in Proverbs 31
Book Publisher and Date: Ascender Publishing April 16, 2020
ISBN-10: 1563093375
ISBN-13: 978-1563093371
Back Cover: The Proverbs 31 Woman seems perfect and is help up as a role model for Christian women everywhere. Would you believe she is a portrait of how God already sees you? You are that amazing woman God sings a song of blessing over.
Based on a word study of the Hebrew alphabet, Strength of a Woman will inspire you to celebrate as you understand the blessings already available to you. Dive deep into the Proverbs 31 Scripture passage and begin to understand the Jewish teachings and the true meaning of the passage. Through the study of the passage, you will:
- Discover the beauty in the imagery of the Hebrew alphabet through word study.
- Understand the challenges you face now in comparison to those in biblical times.
- Embrace God’s purposes versus society’s expectations
- Enjoy insights into a strong woman’s day-to-day life.
Endorsements:
“In Strength of a Woman, Lauren Crews dives into the secrets revealed in the Hebrew language and contemplates the famous virtuous woman’s passage in Proverbs 31. Lauren explains the passage was not designed to make women feel overwhelmed by an impossible to-do list but rather serves to promote the warrior woman you can emulate as you love, work, build, and overcome your own life’s challenges. A great read!” —Linda Evans Shepherd, author of When You Need to Move a Mountain, publisher of Leading Hearts magazine and Arise Daily Devotionals, founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association
“Lauren Crews delivers a powerful message in Strength of a Woman. She has an amazing ability to balance teaching through the Hebrew acrostic and sharing relevant and vulnerable stories that tug at the heart. I’ve read Proverbs 31 too many times to count, but Lauren brought it alive in a brand-new, thought-provoking way. This is not a book to be missed!” —Bethany Jett, award-winning author of Platinum Faith and They Call Me Mom
“Author Lauren Crews has given us a great gift by writing Strength of a Woman, allowing s the opportunity to reconnect with the Proverbs 31 Woman – not as an unrealistic goal or proof of failure – but as an attainable model for a strong woman of God.” -Edie Melson, award-winning author and director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
Bio:
Lauren is an award-winning author and holds an MDiv from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With twenty years’ experience in women’s ministry, she dives deep into God’s word and is eager to share the many layers with women in all roles of life. She resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and two brown labs who have their humans well trained.
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