The virtuous woman
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
Finally, my favorite Proverb. I know many people think this is a hard one and even avoid it because it seems unattainable to be like the virtuous wife talked about In this chapter. However, I find it inspiring and encouraging and although I am far from matching up to this pattern for women, I aspire to step up each time I read it.
So in today’s dose, I am taking each verse from 10 – 31 and bringing them into today’s example to make it a little more attainable. I hope you will enjoy and identify one or two areas that you can become more like her.
Vs. 10 – Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
Vs. 10 – Who can find a godly woman? Her value is a rare find and her goodness is even harder to find.
Vs. 11 – Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
Vs. 11 –Her husband is completely secure and trusting in her. He will never be hurt by her words or actions.
Vs. 12 – She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Vs. 12 – She always looks for ways to make him feel loved, wanted, encouraged and respected. She would never think or say bad things about him or do things to get back at him or punish him all the days of her life.
Vs. 13 – She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
Vs. 13 – She seeks to make her home welcoming by designing, decorating and keeps her home with joy.
Vs. 14 – She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
Vs. 14 – She’s like a grocer. She hunts the brands and foods he heeds and likes from far away – even searches the world wide web.
Vs. 15 – She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
Vs. 15 – She gets up early enough to ensure the day’s direction received from spending time with the LORD. Their breakfast and coffee is ready – lunches prepared. Not scrambling about and setting a frazzled tone for all day for everyone. Every task is carried out.
Vs. 16 – She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Vs. 16 – She sees their home, she sets her faith to buy it, not neglecting her husband or family to do her seeking or praying. Then when her faith comes to sight she plants flower gardens and trees with her own ideas and hands and monies she has gained from her own sowing and investments.
Vs. 17 – She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
Vs. 17 – She exercises and works out to stay strong for her task – not weak and feeble and run down and then she just looks good not just physical but mental and spiritual.
Vs. 18 – She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Vs. 18 – When she sits quiet before the LORD, she sees what the LORD has blessed her with and is thankful for all that she has in her life. She feels good about what she has accomplished that day. She stays up late to finish the needed tasks for that day not begrudging the time she has enjoyed with her family.
Vs. 19 – Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
Vs. 19 – She is skilled in the crafts of home and is diligent being a homemaker.
Vs. 20 – She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
Vs. 20 – She always seems to know who is hurting in mind or in body. She is aware of those sick in the church or her neighborhood and is quick to check up on them and give a hand. She is never too busy to stop by and pray.
Vs. 21 – She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
Vs. 21 – She has no concern if an emergency arises for her family because she knows she has their home ready. She watches over the supplies and makes sure there is plenty to eat and the right clothes. No matter what the next season brings, they are prepared.
Vs. 22 – She makes her own bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Vs. 22- She buys linens and rugs to make her home look top of the line. She always looks her best and the LORD helps her combine the best of outfits and shop to find the finest apparel and deals to do the tasks He has called her to do.
Vs. 23 – Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
Vs. 23 – Her husband is known as he sits and meets with godly men or his bosses or with the leaders of our time.
Vs. 24 – She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
Vs. 24 – She makes deals, contracts, jobs and clothes. She sells them to buyers and She knows how to trust God and believe for things herself, putting no added pressure on her husband to bring all the moneys in.
Vs. 25 – She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Vs. 25 – She knows her place as his wife and is secure in being called Mrs. ______ and is prepared for the future looking forward to it with great excitement and joy.
Vs. 26 – When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
Vs. 26 – She always thinks about what she is saying to encourage those who are hearing it. She is never mean, harsh or negative. She doesn’t lose her cool when teaching or instructing. She does it all with patience and kindness.
Vs. 27 – She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
Vs. 27 – She is alert and aware and her home is working like clockwork, never spends time lying around feeling sorry for herself or gossiping on the phone or being just plain lazy. She remembers that she is ordained as a helper of God and has faith to do preparations and be that helper.
Vs. 28 – Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Vs. 28 – Her Children are confident because of their mother’s love and attention to their life. Her husband is amazed and compliments her accomplishments.
Vs. 29 – There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all.
Vs. 29 – There are many godly and working women in this world but you out shine them all.
Vs. 30 – charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
Vs. 30 – Being a show off is phony and looks depend on plastic surgery these days, but a woman who loves and fears and worships the Lord is the one who will end up with all the praise.
Vs. 31 – Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Vs. 31 – She will live in the good fruit that she has sown and her husband will tell of all the amazingly awesome and outstanding things the LORD has allowed and used her to do as he fellowships with the leaders around the globe.
Today I want to encourage you to step up in you daily walk as a virtuous wife/woman. Take some time to set a new goal and put a plan together on how you can accomplish that goal. We all have areas that we can improve ourselves in. If we don’t keep growing and moving forward, we will drift backward and slip into habits that will cause life to be dull and boring. Seek the LORD on how you can become stronger in your life walk and follow the direction He gives.
Today’s scripture reading: Proverbs 31
