The Proverbs 31 woman...

The Proverbs 31 woman...

I find it interesting that the book of Proverbs ends up with a description of an excellent woman...a woman to be praised...

All though Proverbs, there are descriptions of women not to be praised---the adulteress, the argumentative, the contentious, the foolish...plus all through the Bible we get pictures and stories of ones who were excellent and ones who were not...
Ones who led their families with wisdom and ones who fell far short, ones who were evil and ones who were humble and blessed, ones who were courageous, ones who were argumentative, ones who were industrious, ones who served and those who were served, ones who were deceitful and one who were truthful.....the same traits I find in women today...we haven't changed over the eons of time...we haven't "evolved" into better and better beings like some would suggest...we still face the same temptations, conflicts, attitudes, pain or joys that our ancestors faced...we still have basically the same choices...

The Proverbs 31 woman is just as applicable  today as it was when it was written...we may not have all the duties she did or do all activities she did, but we have a choice to fear the Lord as she did, we have a choice to serve our families and community in a godly way...we can comfort, serve, care, love, prepare....

Thank YOU for the example...help me even in widowhood the to exemplify the characteristics of this woman to You, to my family and those around me...that I would reverence You in my life....


Proverbs 31:10-31 amplified
An excellent woman one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous, who is he who can find her? Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.
The heart of her husband trusts in her with secure confidence, And he will have no lack of gain.
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil All the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax And works with willing hands in delight. She is like the merchant ships abounding with treasure;
She brings her household’s food from far away. She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And assigns tasks to her maids.
She considers a field before she buys or accepts it expanding her business prudently; With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
She equips herself with strength spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task And makes her arms strong.
She sees that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night she is prepared for whatever lies ahead.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle as she spins wool into thread for clothing.
She opens and extends her hand to the poor, And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
She does not fear the snow for her household, For all in her household are clothed in expensive scarlet wool.
She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple wool.
Her husband is known in the city’s gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen garments and sells them; And supplies sashes to the merchants.
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future knowing that she and her family are prepared. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue giving counsel and instruction.
She looks well to how things go in her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed happy, prosperous, to be admired; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, “Many daughters have done nobly, and well with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness, But you excel them all.”
Charm and grace are deceptive, and superficial beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect, she shall be praised.
Give her of the product of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates of the city.