In this last chapter in Proverbs, we come to a great case study for wisdom in this wife and mother. A wife/mom is a very common role, to which we can all relate and as a result, we can see how this woman applies God’s wisdom in her daily life. This challenges us to apply wisdom similarly to whatever place the Lord has put us in.
Proverbs 31 is a message for the king from his mother. She typifies the call to learn from those more experienced than us and the king is humble enough to receive it. Being a woman, she has great insight into the desired character of a wife and mom.
Each verse from 10-31 is an acrostic starting with a Hebrew letter, giving us the ABC’s of wisdom. We will see how this woman has a super combo of virtue and skills that make her so effective.
The woman introduced
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:10-12, NIV).
A virtuous and capable wife is a rare find, like a jewel. She is not like most other women who live as society dictates.
She is called excellent or noble. Noble is also a term given to a warrior.
The person closest to her, her husband, benefits greatly from her care. This is a great lesson for all of us - those closest to us should be the ones we enrich the most.
In this introduction, we see her constantly giving and not waiting for a response.
“Her unselfishness is a reflection of the Lord.”
The woman in action
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:13-27, NIV).
The writer further delineates how she is such an excellent woman. But she was not born this way.
She learned and applied wisdom in getting to this point as she allowed the Lord to shape her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants (Proverbs 31:13-15, NIV).
She initiates and seizes opportunities. Look at all the active verbs she does. But she is not frantic with activity as she considers each step.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night (Proverbs 31:16-18, NIV).
In a similar way, she is thoughtful and energetic. Her work is focused and effective.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet (Proverbs 31:19-21, NIV).
She is diligent and plans yet is very generous. She works to provide for her family but also sees her responsibility to care for others. She is not building her own kingdom but looks out for others’ needs.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes (Proverbs 31:22-24, NIV).
Excellence and quality mark her work. She goes well beyond the minimum and reflects the Lord who made all things with exquisite care.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:25-27, NIV).
She is strong and has wise and kind words. Her influence is evident and she encourages others. She shares what she has learned so others benefit.
This woman sees her gifts as a stewardship to help others and her excellence in all she does honors the Lord.
The woman evaluated
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (Proverbs 31:28-31, NIV).
This woman sees her gifts as a stewardship to help others and her excellence in all she does honors the Lord.
The woman evaluated
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (Proverbs 31:28-31, NIV).
We can all feel anxiety when we turn in a project to our professor. But we must
“know the criteria we will be judged by.”
Here we have two criteria: her fear of the Lord and her deeds. The writer goes out of her way to say that the criteria is not beauty or charm. Beauty fades and outer impressions may not reflect real character. These are standards others might prize but they should not be for us.
Everyone wants to be valued and we seek approval. But from whom we seek it reflects our own values.
“Whose praise is most important to you?”
Whose rejection is least important? This woman is evaluated by three groups. First, her family, those closest to her, have experienced her wonderful character and let her know this. Next, her Lord says she fears Him and has ordered her life around His word.
Finally, the public sees her and her deeds proclaim to all the importance of leading a wise life. This woman is a call for all to be wise like her.
It is never too late to start learning wisdom. Proverbs 4:5 and 3:7 call us to listen and turn to the Lord. The Lord Jesus too has open arms for all who come to Him. This is the wisest choice and turning from Him the most foolish.
