If you are a girl who has grown up in the church at all, you have probably been very familiar with the Proverbs 31 woman. This particular passage of scripture is referenced frequently. To be honest, even though I have read these verses many times, I have never taken the time to really study them and meditate over them. I have decided to do that now, and I plan on writing a few blogs as I go through them to hopefully encourage you to join me in seeking to be a wife of noble character!
Let’s be honest up front and admit that this passage of scripture is intimidating. I read these verses and come away feeling like a failure. Who can possibly live up to this kind of woman? The truth is, NONE of us can. We can’t be completely perfect in every area of our lives and that is why we need Jesus and his grace. But, that shouldn’t stop us from working to be more and more like this woman, in order to honor the Lord and to be a support to our husbands.
It’s interesting to note that Proverbs chapter 31 begins by saying, “The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him.” This whole chapter comes from King Lemuel’s mother. She obviously spent time showing him and teaching him about the kind of woman he should marry. Wise words from a wise mother!
Starting in verse 10 we read: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” What an encouragement this is to me! A woman like this is valuable, much more valuable than riches. Do you ever feel like you aren’t worth very much? Don’t let this lie continue in your mind. A godly wife is worth more than any amount of money and jewels. That makes the work it takes to be a noble wife completely worth all of the effort.
Verse 11 says, “ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” What this means is that she is trustworthy! Her husband can leave the home in her charge and trust that she will manage it well. He knows that she will be a good steward of their finances and belongings and he doesn’t have to worry about her ability to handle things. I’ll be honest and say this is an area I need to work on. I am an emotional girl and I can tend to “lose it” in difficult circumstances. But, I want to be the kind of wife who is steady and strong and can be trusted.
And then, the verse that sums up the whole chapter, verse 12, “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” John MacArthur describes it like this:
“She does him good and not evil. She always always does what's best for him. She pursues his best interests. She strengthens him. She builds him up. She encourages him. She sees it as her role to do good to this man. He is providing for her and for all those in her care in that home…and he in providing all of that is worthy of her best. She does him good. She never takes things from him, not his money, his possessions, his resources, or his reputation. She never speaks evil of him so that those in the home would learn to distrust him because of her testimony of his absence of character. She does him good not evil. She does everything to build him up. And then it adds most interestingly this note, all the days of her life. Isn't that interesting? All the days of her life. In other words, her love for him is based upon such high spiritual principles that it doesn't fluctuate with the circumstances of life. When you get married you no doubt have affirmed the vow that you will live together in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want. And that's a vow that this woman kept. Good times, bad times, weak times, strong times, sick times, well times, happy times, sad times, plentiful times, empty times, all times, all her life she did him good.”
Wow! What a statement to be said of a woman. She brings him good, not harm, ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE. I can tell you absolutely that I haven’t done that. Let’s remember that the Proverbs 31 woman wasn’t a real woman. It is a description a mother gave to her son of what to look for in a wife. So before we throw in the towel and say, “I can’t ever be that woman!” it’s good to just breathe and ask God to help show us the areas we need to work on. Already, in the first three verses I know one particular thing I need to pray about and submit to the Lord for his help. Will you join me in praying and mediating on these verses? Just think about what God could do with a few wives who are joyfully learning and growing in these areas! I am excited to see how He uses me in my marriage and family as these truths take root.
Part two to come!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Such a great reminder. Thanks for sharing <3
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