The “virtuous woman” described in Proverbs 31 has been a source of inspiration and guidance for many Christian women over the centuries. While the immediate context was advice from a mother to her son about the kind of wife he should seek, the principles embodied by this woman have broader applications as well. As we examine her character and behavior, there are numerous lessons that all believers, both women and men, can learn about living a life that honors God.
Her character
The very first description of the virtuous woman is that she is of strong moral character (Proverbs 31:10). Every other trait flows out of this foundation. Several aspects of her virtuous character are highlighted:
Trustworthy – Her husband safely trusts her without fear that she will harm him or their marriage (v. 11-12). He does not maintain anxious vigilance over her but has confidence in her commitment to him.
Industrious – She works diligently with her hands doing tasks both inside and outside the home (v. 13-19, 24). She seeks out opportunities to bless her family, not leaning on laziness or excuses.
Wise and kind – She opens her mouth with wisdom, speaking what is right and good (v. 26). Her words build up those around her. She looks well to how her household is managed (v. 27).
Dignified – She carries herself with dignity, as one who fears the Lord (v. 25). Her inner poise stems from character, not mere outward adornment.
Fearing God – This is the foundation. She fears the Lord, walking in faithful covenant relationship with Him (v. 30). This motivates her virtue, wisdom, and hard work.
Living in the fear of the Lord will manifest itself in developing a trustworthy, industrious, wise, kind, and dignified character. These traits do not merely benefit her family but also bring honor to God.
Her care for her family
A core calling of the virtuous woman is her service to her household. She uses all her character traits to bless her family in every way she can. Her care is evident in multiple spheres:
Provision of food and clothing – She seeks out the best food and clothing within her husband’s means to provide for her family’s needs (v. 14, 21-22). This takes foresight, effort, and savvy stewardship.
Industrious labor – She works diligently with her hands serving her household needs (v. 13, 15-17, 19, 24). Her industry is a contribution to the family’s wellbeing, not mere busyness.
Financial stewardship – She buys fields, plants vineyards, makes linen garments, and sells wares, increasing the family’s wealth through prudent investment (v. 16, 18, 24). Her efforts are a blessing, not a grasping for status.
Watchful oversight – She pays attention to all that goes on in her household, seeking to manage it well (v. 27). This protects her home and provides early warning about potential problems.
Loving care – She provides coverings and clothing for her household (v. 21-22). She watches over the ways of those in her home (v. 27). Thoughtful provision and oversight show her loving concern.
Wisdom and teaching – She opens her mouth with wisdom, speaking what is right and kind (v. 26). As she lives out her faith, she instructs her children and servants in the fear of the Lord.
The virtuous woman sacrificially pours herself out to serve the needs of her family in every way she can. Her service stems from love and the desire to obey God’s calling.
Her industry
The passage repeatedly highlights the virtuous woman’s dedication to hard work and provision for her household. Her industry spans both indoor and outdoor spheres:
– She engages in domestic crafts like sewing and weaving (v. 13, 19, 22, 24)
– She goes outside to purchase fields and plant vineyards (v. 16)
– She makes products like linen garments and sashes to sell (v. 18, 24)
– She sets her hand to more vigorous work like grinding flour and manual labor (v. 17, 19)
– She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household (v. 15)
The virtuous woman does not eat the bread of idleness (v. 27). Her industry fills her hours with purposing and meaningful activity to bless others. God made mankind to work, and she embraces this high calling.
Her dedicated work ethic provides an example for all believers:
– She works diligently as part of obeying God’s design for mankind. Work is not punishment but divinely given purpose.
– She works in dependence on God to provide the increase from her efforts. Self-reliance does not drive her labors.
– She works knowing that her labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). He sees and rewards those who serve Him faithfully.
– She works to serve others, especially her family. Selfless provision for others gives work greater meaning.
– She works with excellence, not as mere drudgery or with resentment. Seeing work as worship elevates its importance.
The woman’s industry shows that God cares about how His people spend their time and efforts. Wise use of our energies for God’s purposes is the antidote to sloth and self-indulgence.
Her business wisdom
While the Proverbs 31 woman focuses her attention on care for her household, she also displays business savvy and financial wisdom:
– She considers a field and buys it to expand the family’s assets (v. 16). Taking initiative to prudently invest available resources increases provision for the future.
– She plants a vineyard, doing the hard work to establish a means of income and food for her family (v. 16). Delayed gratification and patient labor yield profitable rewards.
– She makes fine linen garments and sashes, products of quality to sell for income (v. 18, 24). Using skill to create value earns the respect of customers.
– She rises while still night to provide food for her household (v. 15). Diligence reaps early benefits that sloth misses.
– She has servants who respect and obey her, likely gained through fair treatment (v. 15). Building a trustworthy and collaborative workforce is shrewd management.
– She is praised by her husband and children (v. 28-29). Her prudence earns the respect of those who know her best.
The Proverbs 31 woman displays the wisdom of skillfully and ethically applying business principles to provide for her household. Diligence, investment, quality, integrity, and stewardship reflect God’s priorities in work.
Her generosity and service
The virtuous woman does not use her earnings solely for herself. She practices generosity and lives to serve others:
– She gives food portions to her female servants (v. 15). Though a mistress, she treats servants with fairness and concern for their needs.
– She extends her hands to the needy and reaches out to the poor (v. 20). She is aware of those around her who lack basic necessities and helps to meet their needs.
– She clothes her household with scarlet linens (v. 21). She provides fine clothing, not merely utilitarian garments. Her efforts give dignity and blessing.
– She is clothed in fine purple linens (v. 22). Her noble character merits noble attire.
– Her husband and children rise up and call her blessed (v. 28). They praise her care and service to them.
The virtuous woman gives to others out of her earnings and bounty. Generosity is a natural outflow of her love and fear of the Lord. Her care for the needy reflects God’s divine compassion for the broken and vulnerable.
Her spiritual strength
The foundational strength of the virtuous woman is her fear of the Lord (v. 30). This fuels her character, wisdom, industry, and generosity. Several principles describe her spiritual devotion:
– She pursues a personal relationship with God, desiring to know Him and walk in His ways. Religion does not substitute for true love of God.
– She meditates on God’s Word to discern His will, gain wisdom, and reshape her heart. The Scripture nourishes her soul.
– She lives her mundane everyday life as spiritual worship offered to the Lord. She recognizes no sacred/secular divide.
– She walks by the Spirit in step with God’s guidance. His inner voice directs her steps.
– She battles sin and puts on godly virtues. Progress in holiness is central to her spiritual journey.
– She lives with prayerful dependence on God, acknowledging her need for Him.
The “fear of the Lord” shapes the totality of the virtuous woman’s life. Loving God and seeking Him matters more than all her impressive deeds. Only those established in God can build a lasting legacy.
Her legacy
The culminating praise for the virtuous woman is the legacy she has left: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (v. 28). She has fulfilled her divinely ordained roles as wife and mother in a way that has deeply blessed her family.
Several principles shape her lasting legacy:
– She followed God’s priorities in her use of time and energies. She invested in service that matters eternally.
– She cultivated wisdom and virtue. These bear lasting fruit over fleeting appeal or comfort.
– She built her home into a nurturing sanctuary that launched her children to walk in the ways of God. A warm home with loving relationships provides children’s deepest needs.
– She earned deep honor, love, and praise from her family. These can only come through consistent selfless service over time.
– She walked with God in personal relationship and obedience. This gives lasting meaning when health, possessions, and accomplishments fade.
The virtuous woman’s legacy demonstrates that a life well-lived according to God’s design leaves blessings that echo into eternity. The seeds of godliness imparted to her children multiply impact far beyond her earthly years.
Principles for believers today
While some specifics reflect ancient Israelite culture, the principles modeled by the Proverbs 31 woman remain inspiring and instructive today. Both women and men can learn much from her example.
Foundational devotion to God – She sought a sincere personal relationship with God that was her first priority. This fueled every other area of life. Without knowing God, all our work is in vain.
Integrity and noble character – Despite her many achievements, her inner virtue undergirded it all. Moral purity and spiritual devotion are essential foundations.
Willingness to work hard – She gave herself to diligent labor for God’s purposes and cared well for her household’s needs. Idleness has no place in the believer’s life.
Generosity and care for others – She gave to the poor and served the needs of her family. Investing ourselves to serve others’ good is central to the Christian life.
Stewardship and business principles – She made prudent financial decisions that increased her family’s prosperity. God’s resources should be handled with care and wisdom.
Nurturing those under her care – She attended well to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical wellbeing of her family. Investing in those God has given us to nurture should be a high priority.
The Proverbs 31 woman made her faith real by how she lived every day. She integrated her love for God into practical service and wisdom. By God’s strength, believers today can follow her example of faithfulness.
