i always want to encourage women to serve God in every aspect of their lives. being a Proverbs 31 woman is not about be “perfect.” it’s about living life with purpose, diligence, priorities, forgiveness and repentance. over the next few weeks, we’ll take a look in depth of what a virtuous woman is. i’m so super excited to share this study with ya’all.
Proverbs 31 is a beautiful poem of the characteristics of a virtuous woman and noble wife. it’s an acrostic poem, each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon but when we come to Chapter 31, there is a new voice. it’s a mothers voice, telling her son what to look for in his life partner. it was Solomon writing the advice his mother, Bathsheba, had given him. Solomon wrote it using his pseudonym name, King Lemuel. it’s not just wisdom given from a mother to her son, it’s Gods Word. it’s what we, as women, are to attain to. what we should strive to be.
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
in verse 10, it begins with A wife of noble character who can find? this implies that virtuous (noble) women are few and far between. she can be found, she is just rare. God attaches a pretty high value to a virtuous woman. when we look up the definition of virtuous, it says having or showing high moral standards and chaste. so set your standards and morals high ladies.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 12:4
the second part of verse 10 says She is worth far more than rubies. this virtuous woman is so rare that when you find her, she will be worth more to you than rubies. we are not called to be women of the world, who are very easy to find. we are to be rare and hard to find.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 3:15
don’t get discouraged when you read all the Proverbs 31 woman accomplished. these aren’t things she did all in one day. this is what she completed over her lifetime. she was able to accomplish all this because God enabled her, she drew all her strength from Him. she fixed her eyes on Him and never looked to the left or to the right. wow, what an amazing example for us to follow.
while i was doing my study, i was searching around the internet and trying to learn all i could about this amazing lady. i was shocked at some of the opinions women had of her. i saw comments like this passage is all about women being slaves to their household and that it’s chauvinistic. i guess i shouldn’t be shocked, we do live in a fallen world. but i’ve always saw the virtuous woman as this beautiful woman that i WANT to be.
this chickie is far from a Proverbs 31 woman but it sure is my hearts desire to be one. i believe if you love God and you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, you absolutely can. but the only way to do that is by fixing your eyes on Him. get in His word and read it. spend time with Him. it’s going to take some time and there will definitely be some bumps in the road. there will be lots of heart work God will need to do on us to develop our noble and virtuous character. He sure does love you right where you are but he doesn’t want you to stay there, He has much better things planned for you.
come back next friday to continue our study on this amazing virtuous woman!
out for now
~kisses