"She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet"
snow
This is the Hebrew word sheleg, which means snow or snowy. Snow was not normal in Palestine, but it did get cold during the rainy season. And there was an occasional snowfall during a rain storm.
scarlet
This is the Hebrew word shani, which means scarlet. Scarlet had a symbolic meaning of well-being and luxury. It also was connected with the color of blood and sacrifice.
The idea here seems to be that this woman clothes her family in well-being, even luxury. She makes sacrifices and works hard to insure that her family is okay even in the most adverse weather. She is not afraid of how they will be even in the most freakish weather or circumstances.
Notice the word afraid. It is this word that suggests the point of this verse. She has combated her fears with action. It is not uncommon for mothers to worry about all kinds of things, even things which will not be that typical. Snow is one of those kinds of things in the land of Palestine. The writer of this proverb says that this virtuous woman even plans for her fears to be defeated. When something wells up within her and says, "What if it snows?" she has already taken action for that remote possibility and can point to the scarlet garments that have been provided. They are well taken care of; she has thought of most contingencies -- even snow in Palestine.
Are you allowing your fears to make you feel guilty or drive you to distraction? What can you do to calm your fears so that you have an answer when they speak to you? The virtuous woman deals with her fears before they come roaring at her in the middle of the night.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz