Proverbs 31:10-31
“Who can find a
virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in
her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs
31:10-12)
Bathsheba warned Solomon about the dangers of alcohol,
especially for those in positions of leadership, and gave him advice regarding
its proper use. Sexual involvement also
plays a very important role in person’s ability to lead other people and make
good choices. With this in mind, she
advises Solomon about the things to look for in in deciding whether to get
involved.
She points out that good trustworthy women are rare and thus
very valuable. Solomon tells us how rare in Ecclesiastes 7:27-28. “Behold,
this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the
account: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand
have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.” Only about one person in a thousand, whether
men or women, can be depended on to be honest and good.
A truly good woman’s husband safely trust her to work with
him to further their goals. As a result,
he will not need to constantly work overtime or find other ways to make up for
her doing her own thing or demanding her own way. Solomon says it would be better to be dead
than to be stuck with a selfish greedy and controlling woman in Ecclesiastes
7:26. “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and
nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the
sinner shall be taken by her.” A man
who pleases the Lord will be able to escape such a woman, but one who ignores
God’s plan risks being taken in and destroyed by her.
The good woman will encourage her husband, and keep in mind
his goals and needs. The selfish and wicked
woman runs her husband down, to her friends and family, uses their resources to
satisfy herself without concern for what he needs or wants, is disrespectful and
disparaging toward him, lies to him, and constantly tries to manipulate him to
get her own way. She may destroy his reputation, his credit,
his business, or his family, and seriously damage his confidence and self-respect
by constantly undercutting his decisions or plans.
“She seeketh wool, and
flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth
her food from afar. She riseth also
while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens.” (Proverbs 31:13-15)
The good woman is willing to work to make sure those who
depend on her have what they need. She makes
the effort to get up early to see that they are fed before they go to work or
school, and she is willing to go out of her way to get good deals on clothing
and groceries, and to provide the best meals possible for her family.
“She considereth a
field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth
that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” (Proverbs
31:16-18)
Because she has earned her husband’s trust, she is free to
purchase property and plant a garden or field to supplement their income and provide
things they couldn’t have otherwise. She
personally takes care of it so it doesn’t become a burden for him, and knowing
that what she is doing is worthwhile.
“She layeth her hands
to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her
clothing is silk and purple.” (Proverbs 31:19-22)
The good woman is not selfish, but reaches out to help
others in need, willing make clothing or whatever is needed to take care of her
family, learning to make nice things for her family and dressing them all in
clothing that reflects well on the family.
She dresses and maintains her appearance in a way that makes her husband
proud of her.
“Her husband is known
in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” (Proverbs 31:23)
Partly because of her efforts, the husband is able to
involve himself with affairs of the community and develop a degree of respect
because she doesn’t run him down or publicly embarrass him, and he is able to
commit to help people without fear of upsetting her.
“She maketh fine
linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she
shall rejoice in time to come. She
openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:24-27)
The good woman contributes to the income of the home,
developing and using her skills to produce things others desire. She is constantly working and getting things
done, but doesn’t allow herself to become bitter about what all she is doing,
taking her anger out on others. Her
family is her first priority.
“Her children arise
up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.” (Proverbs 31:29-29)
In the future her her children will remember her with
fondness and appreciate her love and concern for them. Her husband will also have a high level of
appreciation of what she does. She will
stand out above anyone else to those who know her, and especially her immediate
family and friends. Her husband will not
be looking for a replacement.
“Favour is deceitful,
and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let
her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:30-31)
She's the kind of woman the guys should look for, and the girls should strive to be.
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