The Virtuous Woman

             The author of the last chapter of Proverbs has provided a detailed description of “The Virtuous Woman,” also known as “The Wife of Noble Character” or the “Proverbs 31 Woman.”  We don’t know if he was describing a real live, breathing woman or his concept of what the ideal woman should be.  Either way, his description of her makes me tired just thinking about all her accomplishments.

At first glance, it gives us the idea that the “virtuous” woman can and should do everything.  It reminds me of the old commercial jingle, “I bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan…”, meaning, “I can do everything!”  That’s what so many of our young wives and mothers try to do.  They want a career, well-adjusted children, a great husband, and a beautiful home—all noble achievements.  Unfortunately, they often end up with one or two of those things but find themselves dissatisfied with life and themselves.

I think we need to see the Proverbs 31 woman differently—not focusing on what she did but on who she was.  What were the characteristics that made her the “Virtuous Woman?”

We know that she worked hard (Proverbs 31: 13 – 19).  Maintaining a home and a career is hard work, so you can probably check that one off the list.  However, we also note that she was conscientious (vs. 27) about her work.  She didn’t do things halfway.  That takes the “work hard” characteristic to a whole new level.

She was also enterprising (vs. 14), which means she had a good head on her shoulders and used it to benefit the family.  In today’s world, she might have been an entrepreneur.  However, I don’t think you have to be in business to be enterprising.  It may simply mean that you find ways to more efficiently handle your work and family responsibilities.  Did you ever step back from the chaos of your life long enough to consider how you might do things differently and still fulfill all your responsibilities?  You might be pleasantly surprised when you do.  You might even find that some things aren’t as important as you thought they were.

This ideal woman was also generous (vs. 20), providing not just for her family but also for those who served her and worked with her (vs. 15).  Sometimes, I know that I get so caught up in the frantic pace of my own life that I forget to thank those who help and assist me.  These people might be your administrative assistant, the building janitors or your housekeeper, the restaurant waitresses, your babysitters, and even the grandparents who help to manage your home and your family.  Remember, they may have a frantic pace as well.  A little appreciation now and then can go a long way.

She was also a woman of character and strength, giving wise instruction (vs. 26, 27).  She was a woman you could trust.  She was a woman you could go to in times of crisis.  She was a woman who thought before she spoke, allowing time for God’s wisdom to enlighten the situation.  In short, she was a woman who feared the Lord (vs. 30), and the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1: 7 NIV84).

Today’s “Virtuous Woman” may not do everything, but she knows what’s most important.  I think she probably relies heavily on the concepts of one of my favorite verses – “…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6: 8 NIV84).  We might all be more like her if we did the same.

Proverbs 31: 10 - 31