Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 Woman

Have you heard of the Proverbs 31 woman?  What do you know about her?  What are your thoughts of her?

Prov. 31:1 “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”  This is King Lemuel’s mother’s advice of what to look for in a woman, so single women must possess these qualities.

Prov. 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” 

Virtuous: strength, courage, chastity, able, capable, mighty, efficient, valiant, morality, wealthy, worthy, active power to accomplish a given effect

This word is used 200 times in the Bible to describe an army (soldiers have to have mental toughness and physical energy).

We all want to be priceless, valuable, rare and exquisite like a ruby.  Rubies surpass diamonds.  When you are virtuous you are the jewel in God’s eyes and your husband’s eyes.

Name a lady you know who is virtuous.  Imitate her, let her mentor and teach you.  Learn from people you want to be like who model the Bible.

Prov. 31:11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

Her husband’s heart trusts her: become trustworthy, loyal and capable so he can depend on you.

Get married to give to him, not to get from him and drain him and cause him to worry.  Don’t be high maintenance, men don’t like it.

Be strong so he can build his life around you and not worry about you.

“He has no need of spoil”: spoil was the wealth and treasures the winning army took from the defeated.  She didn’t want him to have to go to war to make money so she contributed financially.

Prov. 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

Do your husband good at every opportunity, spoil him, pamper him and help him, be good to your man…

ALL days of your life (while single be good to him by staying pure and praying for him and preparing to be a good wife) (while sickness and death come be good to him).

Prov. 31:13 “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”

Wool kept her family warm in winter with no heat.

Flaxseed is healthy for women to eat daily.

Wool and Flax were used to weave clothing (dry, peel, beat, comb, spin).

Work with your hands (holding babies, groceries, etc).

Work willingly (have a right heart Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”).

Prov. 31:14 “She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”

She gets the best products from afar with good quality.  She’s creative in shopping (farmers markets, internet herbs).  Be frugal.

Prov. 31:15 “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”

She’s not lazy but up and taking care of others (this was a rude awakening when I got married and had kids) You will be in charge of feeding breakfast and getting clean clothes on the family, etc.

Prov. 31:16 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

She spends money wisely and earns investments.  She is a wise businesswoman, thrifty and frugal (shop yard sales, find deals).

Ex. Shoshanna gathered produce from her garden and sold it to buy what she wanted.

Ex. Girls made bracelets and sold them to give money to help people in Africa.

Prov. 31:17 “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Loins: she gathered her long skirt and tied it with a belt between her legs so she could work hard.  These days we may put an apron on!

Prov. 31:18 “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”

She perceives: taste (by trial, take risks, new ideas)

Ex. I taught myself how to bake bread from whole wheat, grinding the flour and the whole process.

I taught myself how to use herbs for medicine and make tinctures.

Prov. 31:19 “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”

The spindle and distaff was used to spin wool and flax into yarn and thread.

She worked into the evening.  Don’t waste your time each night but do one productive thing each night instead of just watching television.

Prov. 31:20  “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

She makes an effort to reach out to the poor.

Prov. 31:21 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”

She is prepared for the future, be thinking ahead, prepare to be a wife now.

Prov. 31:22 “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”

Silk and purple were rare and costly, she took care in her appearance and in furnishing her home (tapestry, quilts).

Prov. 31:23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

Behind every good man is a good woman.

We are a reflection of our family.  Honor your parents and respect, praise and encourage your husband.

The man can do his job well because she does her job well.

Prov. 31:24 “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”

She can make things, entrepreneur, starts a business!

Prov. 31:25 “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

She chooses to put on strength and honor each day like we choose what clothes to put on.

Nehemiah 8:10  The Joy of the Lord is your strength!

Prov. 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Talk with wisdom and kindness.  What you say and the tone you say it in matters.

Prov. 31:27 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

Guard your home, keep the emotional barometer.

Don’t be idle or bored which can lead to trouble.

Prov. 31:28 “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

What good things do you want your kids and husband to say about you when they grow up?  Become those things.  Her kids and husband praise her because of all she’s done for them.

Prov. 31:29 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”

Dare to be different and excel!

Prov. 31:30  “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Charm and beauty don’t last and you can’t build a life upon them.  The Proverbs 31 woman does all she does because she fears the Lord and takes God and His Word seriously and obeys it.

Prov. 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Prov. 31:31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

She has fruit and her life produces good things, what will your life produce?  Desire to be these things and start one step at a time with one quality you will work on and then move to the next.  Dare to be a Proverbs 31 woman one step at a time!