Proverbs 31:17
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” Virtuous women are ready for the task before them. They possess the strength required to get the job done. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” A virtuous woman knows that the way to have more strength is to give all the strength she has with in her, serving with joy. Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Most importantly, a virtuous woman acknowledges her weakness and knows where to find unending strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” We can become strong when we yield to the Lord, allowing His strength to flow through us. Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Bible Reading: Isaiah 7-8 | Revelation 15 | Proverbs 10
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Proverbs 31:16
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” A virtuous woman receives fruit from the work she willingly does with her hands, fruit that remains. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” A virtuous woman considers things, but not against her own wisdom. She knows that there is nothing within her that is good; therefore she acknowledges the One Who is Good. Proverbs 28:26 “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” She considers what the Word of God has to say before making decisions. 2 Peter 1:19-21 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” She considers Him. Hebrews 12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” What are you considering today? Bible Reading: Isaiah 5-6 | Revelation 14 | Proverbs 9 Proverbs 31:15
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” Rising before dawn may disqualify some of us from being called a virtuous woman. She rises early to seek the Lord. Psalm 63:1-2 “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” Christ rose early to set Himself apart to pray to the Father. If He saw the need to do that, we ought to consider how important it must be. The solitude of the morning hours allows us to lift up our prayers unto Him. Psalm 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” A virtuous woman rises with purpose, acknowledging that there is nothing more important that seeking Him. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Before we seek anything or anyone else, we must seek Him first. Bible Reading: Isaiah 3-4 | Revelation 13 | Proverbs 8 Proverbs 31:14
“She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” A virtuous woman willingly works with her hands for the purpose of bringing her family whatever resources are needed. Ruth gleaned in the field for a specific purpose. Ruth 2:2 “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.” Are we willing to seek the resources we need? Ruth sought grace as she gleaned in the field. The resources we gather with our hands will result in what type of house we build. Proverbs 14:1 “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Ships battle against the wind, the waves, and the storm; yet they keep on sailing in order to bring that which is needed. No matter what we face, the Lord has something in mind for us to bring. What are you bringing to the table? Bible Reading: Isaiah 1-2 | Revelation 12 | Proverbs 7 Proverbs 31:13
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” A virtuous woman is trustworthy, faithful to do good, and she is willing to work with her hands. Sarah made cakes. The Damsel by the Well drew water for Abraham’s servant. Rachel kept sheep. Ruth gleaned in the field. These and many other women throughout the Scriptures are a testimony of how we as women can work willingly with our hands. Some women will work, but not willingly. Those interested in working with their mouths are not virtuous; neither are women who work unwillingly. How willing are you to work with the hands that God gave you? Nehemiah 4:6 “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” The types of work we do and why we do it are equally important to our willingness to do so. 1 Corinthians 3:13 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” A virtuous woman is not weary in well doing. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” If you choose to work willingly with your hands in service for the Lord, rest assured that your labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Bible Reading: Song Of Solomon 7-8 | Revelation 11 | Proverbs 6 Proverbs 31:12
“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” After trustworthiness, the next thing we see in the Virtuous Woman is faithfulness. She can be trusted to be faithful. Not just faithful, but she is faithful to do good. She is faithful all her days. Her husband has no need to fear that she will not do good unto him. She is specifically faithful to Him. Above all, she is faithful to the Lord. Luke 1:74-75 “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” We can be faithful to do good because He is Faithful. He has never failed us, and He will never leave us. 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” A virtuous woman is faithful because she places her faith in Him. Bible Reading: Song Of Solomon 5-6 | Revelation 10 | Proverbs 5 Proverbs 31:11
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” This verse begins a long list of the exemplary characteristics of a virtuous woman. There are many traits that a woman must possess in order to be called virtuous or full of strength. Throughout the Bible, we see time and time again the importance of that which is first. We can find numerous lists in the Scriptures, and there is always a reason for whatever is listed first. With this in mind, we should pay special attention to the first Truth listed about this Virtuous Woman. Trust. Her husband safely trusts her as his help meet. He trusts her with all of his heart. A virtuous woman must be a woman that can be trusted. If we are not trustworthy, we are not virtuous. Whether you have an earthly husband or, if you are single, Christ is your husband, trust is the most important quality a woman can possess. Trustworthiness is more than when we think someone is watching. God is always watching. Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Only when it is evident that our trust is in the Lord can we truly be considered trustworthy. Psalm 26:1 “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” Bible Reading: Song Of Solomon 3-4 | Revelation 9 | Proverbs 4 Proverbs 31:10
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” This verse and throughout the remainder of the chapter we see a focus on the qualities a wise man should seek to find in a woman; and in turn, the ultimate example of what every woman should strive to become. Proverbs 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Assuming that the man God called Lemuel is indeed King Solomon, the mother that is mentioned in the first verse is none other than Bathsheba. When hearing her name, most will first think of her as the woman with which David committed adultery. The woman who caught his eye upon the rooftop, and then because the reason that David justified having her husband, Uriah, killed in order to be with her. Despite what she is typically known for, she is here known for admonishing her son to find not just any woman, but a virtuous woman. A virtuous woman is a woman of strength, strong in wisdom and grace. “Who can find a virtuous woman?” To ask such a question exemplifies the rarity. If a virtuous woman was rare in Solomon’s day, imagine how rare they are today. “…for her price is far above rubies.” Rubies are worth much, yet a virtuous woman is worth far more. Things that are rare have more value than those that are common. Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” Virtuous women are rare and worth far more than money can buy. Therefore, when we seek to be one we should expect that the preparation in becoming virtuous will not be easy. Nothing of value comes easily. If we are to be virtuous women, we must have Wisdom. Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Bible Reading: Song Of Solomon 1-2 | Revelation 8 | Proverbs 3 Proverbs 31:2-9
“What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” His mother first warns him of the dangers of weakness and drunkenness, and then advises him toward goodness. A man should not involve himself in drunkenness, and likewise a woman should not consider that type of man for her husband. Solomon thought so much of the advice his mother gave him, that the Lord had him include it when he penned down these Inspired Words. “Open thy mouth” There are circumstances that require us to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Psalm 82:3-4 “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” Who should you speak for? Just as his mother desired him to listen to her, the Lord desires us to listen to what He has to say to us through His Word. Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12 | Revelation 7 | Proverbs 2 Proverbs 31:1
“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their child to do right and avoid what is wrong. Proverbs 1:8-9 “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” Lemuel, who was once a child, is now a king. The words of the chapter do not refer to his words, but rather the words that were taught to him by his mother. What did your mother teach you? If you were fortunate to have a Christian mother who pointed you to Jesus, there is no description that justifies the amount of blessing you have received through her. Many Biblical scholars believe that Lemuel is an endearing name given to Solomon by his mother, Bathsheba. The last chapter of Proverbs gives us many Words of Wisdom. Verses 1-9 The first nine verses deal with the son. Men can refer to these verses as an example for them, while women can also reference them as an example of what to look for and not look for in a husband. Verses 10-31 The remainder of the chapter deals with the infamous Virtuous Woman. We often refer to these verses as to what women should aspire to be and become, yet men should also pay careful attention to them as a roadmap to finding a wife. Throughout the forthcoming verses, we will focus on Walking In Wisdom as God intended when He inspired and preserved each Word. There is so much Truth within the final 31 verses of the Book of Proverbs. Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 9-10 | Revelation 6 | Proverbs 1 |
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