Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman?
The description of the Proverbs 31 woman begins with a question…
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies”. (Proverbs 31:10)
I thought to myself, is this a rhetorical question, is she really out there? Yes, and she can be you as you yield your life to Jesus.
My second question was why does the Bible compare this woman to rubies? Rubies are considered one of the four most precious stones in the world.
The finest ruby is best described as being a vivid medium-dark toned red and is typically the most expensive.
In hardness, the ruby is actually the 2nd strongest gem the first is a diamond. Needless to say a ruby is definitely something special which is why I am not surprised it is compared to this Proverbs 31 woman.
In the bible the word rubies were mentioned a few other times and mostly in reference to wisdom.
I think it is safe to say that this Proverbs 31 woman was definitely a wise woman. You might be asking yourself what is a Proverbs 31 Woman?
Here are 6 Traits of The Proverbs 31 Woman we should all aspire to be…
1. The Proverbs 31 Woman invests in her husband
Verse 11 and 12: “Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
This Proverbs 31 Wife invested in her husband. I don’t find it strange that that is listed first why because that’s how God intended it to be. She knew how valuable her husband is and how much he needed her to be a woman that builds him not and not tears him down, but a woman that encourages him.
Part of me believes he became the well-known man because she invested in making sure she built him up everywhere she went.
When she’s with her friends I’m sure she wasn’t talking down about him but instead highlighting his great attributes. She spoke LIFE into him and his life was enriched because of it.
My husband is a drummer, not only is it his God given talent but part of his ministry as well. It is what he finds joy and fulfillment in doing. My job among many other things is to build him up encourage him. There were times when he messed up on a song or at an event and felt down about it.
That was my clue to step in, and invest in him by building him back up to where he needed to be through encouragement, and sometimes prayer.
We are chosen not only by God but by our husbands. Investing in your husband is key to becoming a Proverbs 31 wife.
2. The Proverbs 31 Woman invests in her community
Verse 16-19, 24: “She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.”
This woman was clearly an awesome worker and was even a great employer because she carefully planned out the schedule of her servant girls. She didn’t let a moment slip away because she knew time is money.
I love that she was loyal to her job and it showed because her earnings was enough for her to plant a vineyard. This woman had it going on. Her “hands were busy spinning thread” not her mouth. She spent her time working on the job not gossiping.
As we are representing Christ in the workplace we need to make sure our work ethics and conversations are good and pleasant as described in Philippians 4:8. We are known by the fruit that we bear as stated in St. Matthew 7:16 make sure the fruit that you bear is worth eating.
3. The Proverbs 31 Woman invests in her family
Verse 15, 21 and 27: “She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.”
As much as it may seem a curse to some, children are a blessing from God as stated in Psalms 127:3. I am not a mother so I don’t know the ends and out of motherhood but I do believe God gives each mother a measure of patience and heart to handle what they may endure through their journey.
This Proverbs 31 Mother made sure her household was taken care of and often times I am sure she placed her family before herself. She made sure each child had duties, chores and was responsible as stated, nothing suffered from laziness in her household.
Mothers are so special and vital in their child’s life. You are the first person to teach them how to love, the first person to teach them about God. You are blessed with the opportunity to train them up to make a difference in this world.
Please do not take this for granted and appreciate the gift(s) that God has blessed you with.
As the Proverbs 31 woman turned into a wife, then a mother, her role becomes even greater than before
4. The Proverbs 31 Woman invests in the poor
Verse 20: “She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy”.
Think about it when was the last time you helped someone in need. I’m not referring to a family member but someone that had no money or no food.
I understand many women including myself are very careful about giving rides to people or giving money to someone on the street but when you walk with God, he will nudge you and let you know “Hey give that person a few dollars” or “Take some food by that person’s house”.
Be mindful and careful when dealing with the poor because most are broken vessel that just needs someone to invest in them.
If you can’t or don’t feel comfort giving them money, then just say a prayer for them or drop some food off to them. Make sure you speak with respect to them and treat them like a human being and not trash on the ground.
Use wisdom and allow God to lead and direct you.
I could only imagine that when this Proverbs 31 woman extended her arm and opened her hands to the poor, she was at a position to receive more from God.
I’m sure her intentions were pure and not for attention or accolades. God says in his word (2 Corinthians 9:7), he loves a cheerful giver! And that it is more blessed to give to then to receive.
5. The Proverbs 31 Woman invests in herself and her future:
Verse 22 and 25: “She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”.
Purple is a color of royalty. During this time it was a symbolization of wealth. The Proverbs 31 woman not only knew how to dress but she used the finest of linen. However that wasn’t what defined her, it was what she put on inside. She was clothes with strength and dignity.
This woman knew she was a daughter of the One True King Jesus and did not feel shamed or embarrassed about it. She had integrity and character that made her beautiful on the inside out.
It’s not always about having a lot of money to buy the finest things but it’s the state of your heart that will get you where money can’t take you. She was so confident that she laughed in the face of fear.
You may ask how I can laugh when the bills are due and I don’t have enough money to make this month’s mortgage.
The scripture states in St. Matthew 6:25 states “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
You may not have an understanding of how things are going work out but have the boldest of confidence in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because the same way he took care of the sparrows he can take care of you.
A Proverbs 31 woman puts her complete trust and faith in her God.
6. The Proverbs 31 Woman invest in other women (church)
Verse 26: “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness”.
Have you ever met someone and it seemed as if every word that came out of their mouth was like honey, it just gave you life? Have you ever left a conversation empowered and ready to take on the world? This is the type of woman God wants us to be. A woman of virtue and integrity as stated before.
God wants us to inspire other women to empower them. It’s time to start building each other up.
We live in a society now where the music industry, movies and TV shows tear down the image of a woman from a beautiful work of art created by God himself into a sex object and a portrait of women that don’t recognize their own strengths and the power they has within.
God is calling us out to be “separate” as stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17.
We are the light of this world and until we stop tearing each other apart we will not see the power of unity.
Paul and Silas was delivered because of PRAYING women. This Proverbs 31 woman knew her worth and it wasn’t in man but it was in God. She invested what she learned into others to build them up.
She wasn’t jealous or bitter towards other women but spoke wisdom and life into them. And now she is seen as the ideal example of a Woman of God.
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