Proverbs 31 woman
15 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Scripture Tags: Proverbs 31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Prov 31:10-31 (KJV)
I read an essay by Western Seminary. If you search Google for Proverbs 31 and Ruth, it’s the first link. The author recalls how a missionary wife said, “I hate Proverbs 31!” She was venting frustration of this Superwoman that she could never measure up to.
The essay really shed some light on the two important points in Proverbs 31 that are often missed. Yes, this woman was a domestic diva and an industrious entrepreneur, but the two important things were that she feared the Lord…..
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Eccl 12:13 (KJV)
and she was a wise woman.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Prov 14:1 (KJV)
The essay also mentioned that this woman was probably a mature woman who had spent years practicing and perfecting her abilities. That makes Proverbs 31 feel more like a mentor to me.
I was thinking about who would measure up closest to Proverbs 31 and it would have be my grandmother. She’s amazing. She’s worked hard all her life and still is very industrious at age 70. But if you tried to compare her to Proverbs 31, she would probably respond that she has just been doing what needed to be done. She grows a garden and preserves a good portion of their food. She makes meals to send to families when there is a death or sickness. She babysits grandkids and great-grandkids. In the past, she’s worked in fields, sewed clothes for her children, mended her husband’s work clothes, etc. But all this was because she fears the Lord and is a wise woman doing what needs to be done.
So, I think the best place to start in the road towards imitating Proverbs 31 is in James.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:5-6 (KJV)
As woman, we often fall into the trap of silent competition. Silently, measuring ourselves up to the women around us. Proverbs 31 is not a woman to compete with. She is a wise mentor that might look very similar to my grandmother. Not there to intimidate us but to point us in the right direction. It’s not a blueprint that every woman has to follow in spinning wool and planting vineyards. It’s an example of a wise woman taking advantage of the opportunities and circumstances presented to her. Be encouraged. God doesn’t give us impossible standards just impeccable examples to follow.
