The last two weeks we have focussed on qualities of wise men. For the next couple of weeks we will be focussing on the qualities of virtuous women. As we examine each quality, I want to apply them to our culture as much as possible so that each of you ladies know exactly for what you are striving.
Transition
As we begin, it is good to remember that the word virtue speaks of “strength”. In the context of Proverbs 31, it speaks of a woman’s strength of character, which makes her far more valuable than rubies. “The expression combines the ideas of moral goodness and bodily vigour and activity.” Pulpit Commentary In Bible days, men purchased their wives. A virtuous woman is of more value than the most precious treasures on earth.
She fully satisfies all her husband’s needs (v.11)
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
- Her husband trusts her without reservation
- In his heart, he trusts his wife completely. She is morally pure, loyal in thought and action.
- They share a harmonious relationship and she avoids the contentions, complaints, and arguments with which many women struggle (Pr 19:13; 25:24; 27:15).
- He has no need of spoil
- The word “spoil” refers to booty or plunder from conquering a city. With her help as his teammate, her husband did not need extra material goods.
- Men were sometimes tempted to take a second wife from among the spoil. “The thought is that the virtuous wife is not only morally pure, she also is a willing lover to her husband so that he never has a desire or interest in other women.” David Sorenson
Ladies, make it your goal to satisfy all your husband’s needs fully.
She always seeks the welfare of her husband (v.12)
“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
- She shows him love by positive actions.
- She lives to please her husband. She shows him love in her words and actions. She cooks his favourite meals. She keeps their home tidy and clean. She keeps herself looking nice for him.
- She seeks to be a blessing to her husband.
- She avoids anything that hurts her him.
- She knows the things he dislikes and avoids them.
- She seeks to change areas of her life that irritate him.
She works willingly to care for her family (v.13)
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”
- She willingly works in her home
- Wool and flax were used to make cloth for clothing. The wife willingly used her hands in the process.
- Her willing attitude towards work is the emphasis. A virtuous woman is not lazy.
- She finds her deepest joy in loving service Ironside
- Working to care for her husband and children is not a drag but a delight.
- She takes pleasure in her work. Domestic work is the most noble work a woman can do. It is part of fulfilling her God-created role of “help meet” for her husband.
Ladies, you should never be ashamed to say that you are a housewife. You cannot do a greater work than the one for which you were created by our all-wise God.
She skilfully provides for her family (v.14)
“She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”
- Note the comparison
- The proverb does not say that she was a merchant, but that she is like a ship.
- The verse does not say that she travelled long distances to buy her food, but that the food came from afar. She bought food for her family that they could not grow on their farm (perhaps spices, fruits, vegetables, and fish).
- She seeks a variety of foods for her family
- The virtuous woman watches for sales on special food items that come from outside the local area.
- She plans her meals carefully. She seeks to make meals healthy and varied to satisfy her husband and family.
She rises early to cook for her family (v.15)
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
- She sacrifices sleep for her family
- The virtuous woman goes to bed early so she can get up early and prepare breakfast for her husband and children.
- She sets aside her wants to meet the needs of her loved ones.
- This sacrifice displays her love for her husband
- Her love is truly the sacrificial giving of herself to meet the needs of her husband and children.
- She is not selfish. She is not lazy. She is a woman of character and discipline.
She is a prudent planner (v.16)
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”
- She is a thinker and planner
- She thinks about the family needs.
- She plans ways to meet the family needs.
- She looks for ways to advance their property
- The primary meaning of the word translated “buyeth” is to take. The virtuous woman finds a suitable field on their farm, takes it, and plants it into a vineyard.
- She is continually adding to her husband’s possessions by her economy and foresight. Ironside
She is a ready hard worker (v.17)
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”
- She is a worker not just a delegator
- Girding her loins (tying up her long garment to keep it from interfering with her work) pictures her readiness to work. She does not expect others to do her work for her.
- She willingly does the humble difficult tasks of a wife and mother.
- She works hard and stays fit
- She put her full strength into her jobs.
- By daily exercise, she keeps her arms strong.
She does quality work (v.18)
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”
- Let’s define the terms
- “Perceiveth” means to taste
- “Merchandise” refers to gain or profit
- She tastes her profit with satisfaction.
- She “tastes” her products and knows they are good.
- Her prudence and economy leave her a large surplus profit, which she contemplates with satisfaction. Pulpit
- She continues her work after the sun goes down.
She makes needful things with her hands (v.19)
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
- The virtuous woman is self-sufficient
- Before factories made cloth, women spun the wool into thread and wove it into cloth themselves.
- Her hands were busy in the evenings with this needful task.
- The virtuous woman works with her hands
- Not every woman has the skill to sew, but every woman can learn to mend clothing.
- She can work with her hands to keep clothing clean and neat.
She is generous to the poor and needy (v.20)
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
- She is generous and caring
- She stretches out her palm to give to the poor.
- She reaches out her hands to help the needy.
- She is not selfish
- She gives of herself to meet the needs of others.
- She shares what she has with others
Conclusion
Wives, with God’s help, each of you can have these qualities in your life. If you are lacking in one or more of these qualities, ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to change and develop that quality. Young ladies, now is the best time to ask God to help you develop these qualities. Men, we must pray for the ladies and encourage them, and complement their qualities.
Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Wise Men & Virtuous Women3
18 January 2015 pm – Proverbs 31:10-31 – Wise/Virtuous – Scott Childs