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Proverbs 31:10-31

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

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."

Whew….what an example this woman is! Some women read this passage of Scripture and get dismayed…I can’t really blame them! The woman that the author of Proverbs (probably Solomon) is describing could be compared to the modern day “Wonder Woman”!

The Proverbs 31 woman is also called the “Virtuous” woman. The definition of virtuous, according to Webster’s Dictionary is: “morally excellent”.

Let’s take a little closer look at the qualities of this woman that makes her “morally excellent”. Here is a summary of the Proverbs 31 woman according to the Matthew Henry Commentary. I have paraphrased it, but have tried to stay as true to the original as possible.

1. She is submissive to her husband, and he can trust her to manage his home well.

2. Her husband is happy with her, and she makes it her business to do him good and not harm.

3. She takes pleasure from her work, and does it to the best of her ability.

4. She is not lazy and does not waste her time.

5. She rises early.

6. She applies herself and is diligent in the tasks set before her.

7. She is a prudent manager of everything that she does.

8. She does not waste money on frivolous things.

9. She provides well for her house.

10. She encourages her household in the things of God.

11. She freely and cheerfully gives to others.

12. She governs her words and actions with wisdom and discretion.

13. She is prudent and gives prudent advice to others.

14. Her heart is full of love and kindness.

15. She knows that physical beauty is fleeting, but to fear God produces beauty that will last a lifetime.

16. She has a firmness that will bear up under disappointment and difficulties.

17. When she is old, she will find comfort knowing that her youth was not spent idly or uselessly.

18. She is a blessing.

19. Above all, she fears the Lord.

Here is a quote from the last part of the Matthew Henry Commentary on the Proverbs 31 woman: “Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.”

Proverbs 31 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It gives a beautiful picture of the “perfect” woman. I love that loving God and serving Him, hard work, and high moral standards are what God expects from women. I love that in this description of the perfect woman there is no mention of what size clothes she wears, how many wrinkles she has, or if she has any grey hairs. In fact, it makes a point to mention that physical beauty is fleeting but what is inside a person is what really matters. I love that though the list of qualities this woman possesses is long they are all “doable”; they are goals that each woman can try to attain. I, by no means, qualify as an example of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I am trying day by day to fulfill these goals.