Proverbs 31

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Virtuous Women
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The main text I use as my guide for a woman's daily example is found in Proverbs 31. Beginning at verse 10 we have a roadmap for the woman, whether during the time when King Shlomo (Solomon) wrote these words or today they are none the less appropriate. King Shlomo's mother, Bathsheba told him how to know when he had found a virtuous woman. Although he clearly ignored his mother's advice by having so many concubines and wives who were ungodly, we can take her words to heart. Although these words seem like archaic ideas, they work and can be depended upon as women of the Hebrew faith have done for centuries.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (I don't know of a place you can buy a good woman, but cheap women are a dime a dozen. There are men all over this planet looking for virtuous women. There are married men all over the planet looking for a virtuous woman. The key is to coming away from the strange woman into the place of the virtuous woman. It may seem impossible, but with God all things are possible.)
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (This woman is so wrapped up with doing God's will that her husband can rest in her abilities so he doesn't have to hide his goods from her.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (This woman is looking for ways to do good to her husband as he is her first priority.)
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (The virtuous woman isn't a sloth, her lifestyle includes caring for her home, her family and herself. She doesn't let her home look like a pig sty, her husband looks cared for, her children look cared for, she looks cared for and she is creative besides.)
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (She's willing to bring food to her family from wherever the best can be found. She searches for the best food, the best of everything and effort isn't a consideration.)
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens. (If her work requires an early rise, she's right there. She also gets up early to get God's instructions and doesn't lean on what she thinks needs to be done. Notice she has maids? This is one goal I'm after!)
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (Fields are for planting, and harvesting and this woman has the "bigger picture" in mind. She is good with finances and isn't afraid of the mental and physical labor involved.)
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (No wishy washy woman here! Her physical self is cared for so that she can finish her course.)
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (This woman's work is so good that she could sell what she makes if she was so inclined. If it isn't right, she's willing to stay up late to finish the job.)
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (Spinning takes concentration and hands guided with knowledge. Weaving requires concentration and tenacity to see the job done. The virtuous woman is intelligent and uses wisdom as a guide to all she does.)
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (This woman knows her bible. She knows that part of her job is to see to the poor in her neighborhood. She does so because the Messiah did so and warned that judgment of believers would be in part whether or not they cared for the poor. She also knows that if she gives to the poor, she is giving to God and He will repay.)
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (This verse has so many rich meanings. Naturally, her household isn't naked when bad times comes. They are prepared for any storm that may arise. The believer knows that the storm isn't what hurts the home, but not hearing and doing God's word. For the Messianic believer, the one who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah, we are clothed in scarlet. We are covered in the blood of Yeshua. When the Father looks at us He sees us through scarlet!)
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (Ok, so you can't sew. Are you wearing the robes of righteousness? Do you have on the shield of faith?)
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (A virtuous woman isn't afraid of a little submission, because she knows that the Father will reward her in the kingdom of heaven. She also knows that a sign of her stature is that her husband sits in the place of authority. This is a progressive thing, we see this because her husband sits amongst elders! This is a long term goal for every believing woman.)
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (I've always wanted to weave. There is just something wonderful about good fabric, hand woven fabrics. Again, the virtuous woman has merchandise worth selling to merchants. Good work, good handiwork, and she adds to the family's economy.)
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Without opening her mouth, this woman is honored. She isn't wrapped up in the externals of life, but in dignity and strength. Folks respect her stand and look at her as a goal worth working for.)
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (This is a goal worth spending a life on. To be able to only open ones mouth with kindness and wisdom. I think I'll paint a picture of Lady Wisdom and her cousin, Mistress Kindness. They only speak from compassion and mercy. When they speak, then I can speak. Now this is a stretch, but boy do my spiritual muscles like this challenge.)
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (There is so much living to be done, I can relate to this one. I love looking around my home and finding things that can be done to add order to my life. I also love expanding and stretching the brain that God gave me. When my time has been multiplied because of faithfulness, I love to learn something new. I also love to do something I've never done before. I want to taste it all and be ready to thank God for some new thing He's doing for my benefit. Unlike the sloth, I have no moss or mold growing on my back.)
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (What a fringe benefit to being a virtuous woman. When my husband looks at me and a smile just fills his face, then he says so tenderly "I really love you." I could just melt. Or when my daughter tells me that some lesson I taught her years ago has made a real difference, well I am glad I took the effort to begin this journey towards being a Proverbs 31 woman.)
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (Before I was a believer, I was at best mediocre. Now to know there are areas I excel in is quite exciting. Here Father God has interrupted a lesson. He is now giving His thoughts. Did you notice that the tense changed here? Let Him speak to you right this second.)
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (Anyone over the age of 30 knows that youth is temporary. Wrinkles are coming and a pretty woman can be as mean as a drunken sailor. Having everyone like you isn't enough to the spiritual woman. She wants to please God with her very breath. Here is a really big goal, to be praised by God for revering Him.)
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (The gates of heaven will one day be open to each believing woman. Will she hear "well" or "well done". It depends on the first verses on this page. Let's rise up and be the women of God.)

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (This woman is so wrapped up with doing God's will that her husband can rest in her abilities so he doesn't have to hide his goods from her.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (This woman is looking for ways to do good to her husband as he is her first priority.)

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (She's willing to bring food to her family from wherever the best can be found. She searches for the best food, the best of everything and effort isn't a consideration.)

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (Fields are for planting, and harvesting and this woman has the "bigger picture" in mind. She is good with finances and isn't afraid of the mental and physical labor involved.)

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (No wishy washy woman here! Her physical self is cared for so that she can finish her course.)

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (This woman's work is so good that she could sell what she makes if she was so inclined. If it isn't right, she's willing to stay up late to finish the job.)

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (Spinning takes concentration and hands guided with knowledge. Weaving requires concentration and tenacity to see the job done. The virtuous woman is intelligent and uses wisdom as a guide to all she does.)

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (Ok, so you can't sew. Are you wearing the robes of righteousness? Do you have on the shield of faith?)

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Without opening her mouth, this woman is honored. She isn't wrapped up in the externals of life, but in dignity and strength. Folks respect her stand and look at her as a goal worth working for.)

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (The gates of heaven will one day be open to each believing woman. Will she hear "well" or "well done". It depends on the first verses on this page. Let's rise up and be the women of God.)