A Woman Who Fears the Lord: Sermon for the Funeral of Esther Veldhuizen

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"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 3:30).

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

A long time ago, about 2,500 years, in fact, there was a woman named Esther, known for her great beauty and wit. The ESV says, “The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at” (Esther 2:6). This beauty set her in the running to be the next queen of Persia even though she was not of noble birth.

Esther was an orphan, an exile who had been captured from her homeland of Judah and brought to the kingdom of Persia. Esther’s charm captivated Hegai, the man who had charge of King Xerxes’ harem, leading him to advance Esther to the front of the line. Coached by Hegai, Esther “won grace and favor in [Xerxes’] sight” more than all the other young women. The king gave a great feast in Esther’s honor and made her queen.

Esther was much more than just a pretty face. She was intelligent, loyal to her people, and courageous. After being convinced by her cousin and adopted father, Mordecai, that perhaps she had been raised up “for such a time as this,” Esther intervened with the king on behalf of her fellow Jews and saved them from destruction so that the promised Savior might one day be born of their nation.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 3:30).

A long time ago, a little over one hundred years, a beautiful little girl was born to Will and Anna Stueven in rural Pipestone. At ten days of age, on January 9, 1924, she was adopted into the family of God and received a place in His kingdom through the water and Word. In Holy Baptism, Esther Margaret was washed in the blood of the Lamb and clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

On May 22, 1938, Esther publicly confessed her Christian faith in the Rite of Confirmation. She was invited to the Lord’s Table to receive often Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of her sins and the strengthening of her faith. In Holy Communion, she would join with Christians throughout all ages and places, with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, in a foretaste of the Feast of the Lamb in His eternal kingdom.

On May 5, 1943, Esther married Arnold Veldhuizen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. As they pledged their love and faithfulness, they were reminded how their marriage was to reflect Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church. Just as the Church submits to Christ, wives also submit to their husbands. Husbands love their wives “as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without any spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Arnold found an excellent wife far more precious than jewels. For seventy-three years, until parted by death, he trusted in her completely. She supported him and helped provide for their family.  “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 3:30).

As we prepared for this service today and considered fitting Bible passages, Esther’s children were reminded about our Old Testament reading from Proverbs 31:10-31. It is a beautiful poem praising virtuous women.

The woman described here is truly remarkable. While it is often assumed that women played a subservient role in the home and society of ancient Israel, this woman defies such description. Not only is she the manager of the household, but she is also a shrewd businesswoman (and is praised for it). Notice, however, that everything she does is for her family and, by extension, her community. She lives and works for the well-being and livelihood of others. She is not interested in promoting her own self-worth, but her worth is demonstrated by her service, which is ultimately motivated by her love for God.

Such a woman should be treasured and honored. The author of this text declares, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” No wonder her family praises her (verses 28, 29)! It is beautiful to see children raised by a believing mother; as they grow older, they return her love. Her husband, who owes so much to her, also showers her with heartfelt praise.

But her greatest praise is not spoken by her family, but the commendation of grace that she will hear spoken by her Lord on the Last Day, welcoming her into the city gates of the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:14; cf. Hebrews 10:19). She is a reflection of the value of the Church, the Bride of Christ, whom He purchased at the inestimable cost of His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), that she might be washed in the blood (Revelation 7:14; cf. Isaiah 4:4; Zechariah 13:1; Psalm 51:2, 7; 1 Corinthians 6:11) and be cleansed, “without spot or stain or any such thing, but that she may be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

Verse 30 summarizes the poem. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 3:30).

Esther certainly qualifies as a virtuous, enterprising woman. Living on a family farm and raising five children, I’m sure she had her hands full. There was also gardening, canning, and caring for the different animals on the farm. Along the way, there were opportunities for fun and service to others: the Hiawatha Pageant, delivering Meals on Wheels, Bible study, and activities at Our Saviour’s.

These are beautiful works, a blessing to her family, neighbors, church, and community. But St. Paul reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith. This is not our own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Scripture tells us all our good works are as filthy rags.

Our text tells us, “Beauty is vain.” It evaporates like a fleeting breath on a cold day. The “fear of the Lord” is where real beauty is found. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” This is the motivating drive in the noble woman’s life. What comes from fearing God is anything but fleeting. It lasts a lifetime and beyond.

The “fear of the Lord” can refer to literal trembling fear on being confronted with God’s holiness or when we remember our sins. But the “fear of the Lord” that is praised in the Proverbs is God's gift to those He has made His children. It is faith and trust in His good and gracious promises. It causes us to turn from evil and walk in His ways. It leads to life and salvation and is a gift from the Lord’s hand.

God gives us the gift of fearing Him, trusting in Him above all things. The reason He can give this to us as a gift is because Jesus, His Son, is the one who has perfectly feared Him. In Jesus, we receive the ability to and the status of “fearing the Lord” or being those who do so. This is good news because we cannot, by our own reason or strength, trust in and love God above all things. In our Baptism, we become His children, who fear Him by the gracious gift of His hand, such that we receive all the benefits that come with it: life, salvation, and forgiveness of sins.

We thank the Lord for giving our sister in Christ this “fear of the Lord” at a very early age. For over one hundred years, Esther has enjoyed the blessings of being a child of God. She grew in that faith, lived, shared, and died in that faith.

As we bid farewell to Esther today, we thank God for her life of faith, sense of humor, and generally cheerful attitude, and a life grounded in the fear of the Lord and marked by devotion, service, and love for her family and community. She was truly a beautiful woman who lived out her baptismal promises and walked in the grace God gave her. Esther’s steadfast faith in Christ carried her through life’s joys and sorrows, and now she rests in the peace and presence of her Savior. We are comforted by the promise that she is sheltered under God’s eternal care, forever worshiping Him with all the saints, as He wipes away every tear and guides her to springs of living water. Thanks be to God for the hope of the resurrection and for the life, faith, and legacy of our dear sister in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.