Do you know any Proverbs 31 women?

Do you know any Proverbs 31 women?

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Some think the Proverbs 31 woman is perfect and that she sets the bar too high to achieve, but I think she serves as an example of a hard working woman whose attributes we may imitate with goals that are possible to attain. Our cultures are different, but I do believe there are Proverbs 31 women walking among us. You may be more of a Proverbs 31 wife than you think because I think she was simply a hard working gal. Let’s pick through Proverbs 31:10-31, and then you tell me what you think.

She is a wife of noble character. Noble means of superior quality or kind, excellent, of an exalted moral character, honorable. A definition of character is moral or ethical strength. It can also be a formal written statement as to competency and dependability given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.

She is worth far more than rubies. Why? Because she is always busy working for her family and helping others. Such a woman is priceless. She’s irreplaceable!

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Because of her high moral character and dependability, her husband knows that she will strive to bring honor to all that she does which reflects on him. Just as a good employee always makes the boss look good, so a good wife always makes her husband look good. She also speaks positive things about her husband to him and to others.

In verses 13-19, we learn that she selects fine materials to weave fine linen, that she works eagerly, and that she is willing to go far to find food for her family. She works from before dawn until it is dark, burning the candle late into the night, so that everyone in her household has enough to eat. She shows good judgment by considering before she buys, in this case, property which she plants into a vineyard. She is active mentally and physically throughout the day. She seems tireless. She is a smart businesswoman.

Next, we see that she is generous to the poor and helpful to the needy. She has nice, warm clothes for herself and her family. She doesn’t fear the weather because she is prepared. She makes nice coverings for her bed and makes and sells linen garments and sashes to others.

She is confident in herself. She and her husband are respected members of their community. She isn’t afraid of the future.

She is wise and loving. She watches her tongue and gives faithful instruction. I bet she is encouraging.

She is busy watching over her own affairs at home and is not idle.

Because of all this, her children call her blessed and her husband praises her.

Many do noble things, but she surpasses or exceeds them.

Finally in verses 30-31, we learn that she fears the Lord. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Are you a woman of high moral character? Do your husband and children see you as valuable and irreplaceable? Do you make your husband look good? Do you shop carefully for good deals in food and clothing?

I am glad that I don’t have to make my family’s clothing like the Proverbs 31 woman. I’d fail miserably there in more ways than one.  It says that she is dressed in dignity. That doesn’t mean she was chasing the latest fashions. She may have been beautifully dressed, but dignified means poised and respectful so she may have been modestly dressed and simply beautiful because she was a beautiful person by how she conducted herself.

Do you decorate your home tastefully? Do you keep your home clean and tidy? It says that she had servants. I don’t have servants and my home is lived in, but it is welcoming to visitors. I think the Proverbs 31 lady was loving and kind.

Do you work hard at whatever your job is whether it includes a position outside the home or not? I know many women who burn the candle at both ends, as the saying goes.

Do you help others by giving to charities, volunteering at school or for other community organizations?

Do you mind your own affairs and stay away from gossip?

Because the Proverbs 31 woman is a God-fearing gal, I know that she honored the Sabbath by resting. We all need a day off and a vacation now and then to rejuvenate ourselves so we don’t burn out.

I don’t think she was perfect because none of us are, but I think she would have been a wonderful friend to have. Her attributes are those we can aspire to. I bet you may know someone who fits this description.

I hope you enjoyed studying this with me. I wanted to encourage you by showing you that being such an honorable person is attained by simply working hard and honoring God and others. Never forget—you are loved! You are blessed!

10 Replies to “Do you know any Proverbs 31 women?”

  1. I agree with you – I have always thought that being like the Proverbs 31 woman (a queen) was a reasonable goal. Too many people shy away from the idea, but as you lay out so clearly, her activities and attributes are not really extraordinary.

    1. Cathe, I am sorry that you are angry. You misunderstand my intentions. I believe the Bible is living and breathing, teaching us today how we can live for and honor God, no matter our stations in life. Although we are not perfect, nor are we queens, normal women work hard to honor God through how we live. Few are extraordinary, but there can be honor in ordinary living. The media doesn’t honor the regular woman who is caring for a dying parent while raising children in a world that mocks believers, trying to help at school and church and earn some money to pay the bills, but God does. I wanted to encourage others to work hard, honor our families and God, to not be busybodies and gossips. Although I fail, in my Father’s eyes, I am His precious child, his princess, just as you are. Forgive me for offending you. I meant no disrespect. My intent was to offer encouragement to others as we struggle through this life.

      1. Michelle- Was this directed at me? I said:

        “I agree with you – I have always thought that being like the Proverbs 31 woman (a queen) was a reasonable goal. Too many people shy away from the idea, but as you lay out so clearly, her activities and attributes are not really extraordinary.”

        I agreed with everything you said and complimented you on how clearly you explained the parallels to what we do as Christian women today!

        1. Please forgive me. I misunderstood/misread your comment and thought you were being sarcastic so I was trying to explain further. Thank you for the compliment. I hope if we meet some day that this will be a source of laughter on silliness on my part. I hope you have a nice weekend.

  2. I, too, agree with Melissa’s comment that none of us is perfect. Most of us try hard to do our best and be what our loving God wants us to be, but life is often (usually?) difficult and few of us deserve the “Proverbs 31 Woman” honor. I know I don’t, and probably never will, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t/won’t try.

  3. Well analyzed, Michelle!

    It’s true that none of us are perfect, and sometimes I look at the Proverbs 31 woman as someone who sets the bar way too high for the rest of us. But then, it’s good to have that example to strive for. When it comes to being a godly woman, we should set the bar high.

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