This week I have
been meditating upon and studying Proverbs 31. While I have heard the chapter
quoted many times in my life and deeply love it, I felt a need to meditate on
it and do a deeper study of it this week. While my thoughts are definitely not
all inclusive by any means, these are just some characteristics that I came up
with that describe the Proverbs 31 woman and how it applies to women today:
* Her sword is always drawn, ready to fight any spiritual foe that may seek to conquer what God has already won in her soul or in the souls of those around her. The word “virtuous” in verse 10 is the same word used to describe David’s mighty men.
* She is truly a lily among thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2). She is rare, and her price is far above rubies
* Her husband trusts her and has absolute confidence that she will guard and steward well that which he has earned and gives to her (verse 11).
* She seeks to do her husband good…even before she even meets him. She is set apart for her husband, loving him, honoring him, and seeking to please him, even during her single years (verse 12).
* The word “willingly” in verse 13 means “with delight and pleasure.” She does her work for her husband and children with delight and pleasure. It is not a burden for her to do. She loves to serve those around her and counts it her greatest privilege and honor.
* She seeks to provide her family with the best and is willing to work long, tedious hours to do so, never grumbling or complaining about it (verse 14-15, 18, 21-22, 27)
* She doesn't take any thought for her own comforts, luxuries, or pleasures. Her desire is to pour herself into others (verse 15, 18)
* She possesses mystery (verse 14). That which is sacred is kept sacred within her, not to be flippantly given to those who have not proven themselves worthy or have no claim to it. I remember reading that it was said of Elisabeth Elliot that guys in her classes at college would just sit in class and wonder what she was thinking about, for she was a “garden enclosed” (Song of Solomon 4:12)
* She is strong with the strength of Jehovah, ready to fight any spiritual foe that would wreak havoc on her soul or the souls of those entrusted to her care (verse 17)
* She cares for the needy and seeks them out (verse 20). It is not her spiritual “obligation” or “duty” to serve them. She sees them as Jesus does: royalty.
* In verse 21, “scarlet” could be translated “clothed doubly.” She wants the best for her family, no matter how much “extra” work it costs her
* She does not dress seductively, sloppily, or haphazardly. She dresses and carries herself with feminine grace and dignity (verses 22 and 25)
* She waits and preserves her heart for a godly man, who can lead well (verse 23 and compare Job 29)
* She is clothed with the strength of her God. She knows that she does not possess strength in and of herself. Therefore, she clothes herself with the all-sufficient strength of God in order to be able to govern her house and children well, never allowing a moment of “down-time” or “me-time,” constantly and consistently focused on the needs of those around her (verse 25).
* She honors those around her. She gives honor to her husband, giving him place to be a man, lead the home, and edifying him with her words. She honors her children by listening to what they have to say and pouring into them. She honors the “least of these” by serving them and treating them as royalty (verse 25).
* She laughs at the days to come (verse 25). She is not afraid of the future. She does not give an iota to doubt, fear, or anxiety. She trusts the future to her God and knows that He has it handled, no matter how circumstances around her appear. She has a joy and peace that are beyond all earthly explanation.
* She speaks words of wisdom and kindness. Her tongue is Spirit-governed. Her words are not gossipy and don’t bring others down. She edifies those around her and points them to Jesus (verse 27).
* She watches over her household. She is constantly attentive to the needs of her family (verse 27).
* She doesn't give time for herself or to laziness. She is constantly engaged, vigilant, and sober minded (verse 27).
* Her life and servant heart incite the praise of her husband and children. She inspires their respect (verse 28-31).
* She is clothed with a “meek and quiet spirit” (I Peter 3: 4). She has an inward beauty that radiates Jesus and that will never fade, for it is His very beauty within her (verse 30). She does not chase after the fleeting beauty of this world, nor give into its pressure. She is confident in Jesus, not in herself. She does not look inward or to herself for true beauty. She looks to Jesus and knows that all true beauty comes from Him alone.
* She will be rewarded and honored (verse 31).
* Her sword is always drawn, ready to fight any spiritual foe that may seek to conquer what God has already won in her soul or in the souls of those around her. The word “virtuous” in verse 10 is the same word used to describe David’s mighty men.
* She is truly a lily among thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2). She is rare, and her price is far above rubies
* Her husband trusts her and has absolute confidence that she will guard and steward well that which he has earned and gives to her (verse 11).
* She seeks to do her husband good…even before she even meets him. She is set apart for her husband, loving him, honoring him, and seeking to please him, even during her single years (verse 12).
* The word “willingly” in verse 13 means “with delight and pleasure.” She does her work for her husband and children with delight and pleasure. It is not a burden for her to do. She loves to serve those around her and counts it her greatest privilege and honor.
* She seeks to provide her family with the best and is willing to work long, tedious hours to do so, never grumbling or complaining about it (verse 14-15, 18, 21-22, 27)
* She doesn't take any thought for her own comforts, luxuries, or pleasures. Her desire is to pour herself into others (verse 15, 18)
* She possesses mystery (verse 14). That which is sacred is kept sacred within her, not to be flippantly given to those who have not proven themselves worthy or have no claim to it. I remember reading that it was said of Elisabeth Elliot that guys in her classes at college would just sit in class and wonder what she was thinking about, for she was a “garden enclosed” (Song of Solomon 4:12)
* She is strong with the strength of Jehovah, ready to fight any spiritual foe that would wreak havoc on her soul or the souls of those entrusted to her care (verse 17)
* She cares for the needy and seeks them out (verse 20). It is not her spiritual “obligation” or “duty” to serve them. She sees them as Jesus does: royalty.
* In verse 21, “scarlet” could be translated “clothed doubly.” She wants the best for her family, no matter how much “extra” work it costs her
* She does not dress seductively, sloppily, or haphazardly. She dresses and carries herself with feminine grace and dignity (verses 22 and 25)
* She waits and preserves her heart for a godly man, who can lead well (verse 23 and compare Job 29)
* She is clothed with the strength of her God. She knows that she does not possess strength in and of herself. Therefore, she clothes herself with the all-sufficient strength of God in order to be able to govern her house and children well, never allowing a moment of “down-time” or “me-time,” constantly and consistently focused on the needs of those around her (verse 25).
* She honors those around her. She gives honor to her husband, giving him place to be a man, lead the home, and edifying him with her words. She honors her children by listening to what they have to say and pouring into them. She honors the “least of these” by serving them and treating them as royalty (verse 25).
* She laughs at the days to come (verse 25). She is not afraid of the future. She does not give an iota to doubt, fear, or anxiety. She trusts the future to her God and knows that He has it handled, no matter how circumstances around her appear. She has a joy and peace that are beyond all earthly explanation.
* She speaks words of wisdom and kindness. Her tongue is Spirit-governed. Her words are not gossipy and don’t bring others down. She edifies those around her and points them to Jesus (verse 27).
* She watches over her household. She is constantly attentive to the needs of her family (verse 27).
* She doesn't give time for herself or to laziness. She is constantly engaged, vigilant, and sober minded (verse 27).
* Her life and servant heart incite the praise of her husband and children. She inspires their respect (verse 28-31).
* She is clothed with a “meek and quiet spirit” (I Peter 3: 4). She has an inward beauty that radiates Jesus and that will never fade, for it is His very beauty within her (verse 30). She does not chase after the fleeting beauty of this world, nor give into its pressure. She is confident in Jesus, not in herself. She does not look inward or to herself for true beauty. She looks to Jesus and knows that all true beauty comes from Him alone.
* She will be rewarded and honored (verse 31).
Now, I realize how
impossible this type of life sounds. However, it is the life that God calls us
to. Proverbs 31 is not to be explained away or compromised in any way. This
life is entirely possible – to a woman who has yielded herself fully to Jesus Christ
and is leaning upon His strong right arm. His grace will supply every need that
we have. We are not to attempt to live this impossible Proverbs 31- woman -life
in our own strength. Only He can live it in and through our surrendered lives.
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