A Virtuous Woman

Last night during our discipleship group, Tracy spoke on Proverbs 31 and the disciplines we embrace as virtuous women of God. Although I've read through this chapter of the Bible hundreds of times, it was a timely reminder and lead me to study the chapter more intently.. 

Proverbs 31:10-31 A Wife of Noble Character

(Note that Proverbs 31 alludes to the wife, but also refers to the virtuous woman in general)

A Virtuous woman: 

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.

• virtuous: morally excellent; wholesome
• capable: able, gifted, intelligent
• precious: valuable, highly esteemed, treasured

11 Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.

• trustworthy: authentic, realistic, credible, honest, responsible, sensible 
• enriching: improves, enhances, builds up 

12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

• Her husband/friends would say of her, "She makes ME a better ME." 

13 She finds wool and flax
    and busily spins it.

• busy: active, persevering, diligent, purposeful
• She provides clothing for her family 

14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
    bringing her food from afar.

• She seeks to provide food for her family
• A virtuous woman plays a vital role as God's instrument 

15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

• Idleness and laziness have no place with her
• She plans: is intentional, has purpose and orderliness 

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

• Puts careful thought into things and does not make hasty decisions. The virtuous woman asks herself, "Would this decision be pleasing to God?"
• She carefully considers what she will devote her time to 

17 She is energetic and strong,

    a hard worker.

• energetic: spirited, dynamic, animated, active, lively
• strong: able, secure, stable, steady, well-founded, unyielding (in her faith)
• hard-working: determined, diligent, eager, engaged, enthusiastic, resolute 

18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
    her lamp burns late into the night.

• sensible: ensures that there's profit in her labor 
• She doesn't grow weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9)
• The Word of God is her lamp- it guides her as she keeps it burning 

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
    her fingers twisting fiber.

• She is constantly engaged in beneficial, worthwhile pursuits 

20 She extends a helping hand to the poor

    and opens her arms to the needy.

• compassionate: kindhearted, responsive, sympathetic 
• She seeks God for wisdom and discernment on how to help those in need 

21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
    for everyone has warm clothes.

• She plans ahead 

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
    She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

• industrious: works energetically and devotedly 
• Her outward garments match her inner beauty 
• She understands that her body is a temple and that modesty is the fruit of her confidence and security in Christ 

23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
    where he sits with the other civic leaders.

• She contributes tremendously to her husband's prosperity and greatness 
• She recognizes the value of her influence in his life-she possesses one of the loudest voices he may hear 

24 She makes belted linen garments
    and sashes to sell to the merchants.

• Once again, she is industrious

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.

• Possesses strength: durability, stability, VITALITY, courage
• Possesses dignity: decency, self-respect, virtue, morality, honor, greatness
• Her faith and hope are in Christ-she has peace about the unpredictable circumstances of life that are to come

26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.

• Her words call others to greatness, rather than tearing them down
• She evaluates her words before she speaks and utters only what is beneficial 

27 She carefully watches everything in her household
    and suffers nothing from laziness.

• careful: attentive, mindful, observant, vigilant
• watchful: alert, cautious
• She is a proficient manager of her home 

28 Her children stand and bless her.
    Her husband praises her:

• She is greatly respected as a mother and a wife
• She is worthy to be praised 

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
    but you surpass them all!”

• Many women fall short, but the virtuous woman has honored God and her family completely in the way she lives her life

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

• FEARS THE LORD: She has an awareness of God's presence, and a holy reverence for Him
• She realizes that outer beauty fades, but that her inner beauty lasts and is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4)

31 Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

• Her works speak for themselves
• The Lord is pleased with her because she has done His Will 

Lord, thank you for Your Word that gives us insight as to how we should live our lives. We want to live a life that honors You above all else. Make us virtuous women whose lives are characterized by moral excellence, faith, dignity, trust, strength, courage, wholeness, stability, wisdom, and confidence. May we be great in Your sight. Let Your light shine through us as we live out a life that is pleasing to You. May we recognize that we are valued and loved unconditionally by a Father who will never fail us. When we fall short, I pray that we'd be women who know how to refocus and keep going. Thank you for the virtuous women you have placed as examples in our lives. Continue to grow us through those relationships. I pray against lies of the enemy that say we'll never measure up and that we'll never be good enough because Your Word says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Thank you for the ways that you have gifted us and the purpose we find in You. Change our hearts and renew our minds.