Today we read Proverbs 31 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I am going to share verses 10-31 with here:
10 A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. 12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13 She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. 14 She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].
15 She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16 She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. 18 She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21 She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! 26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27 She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
Many sermons have been preached, classes taught, books read and discussions taken place concerning "The Proverbs 31 Woman"! Many girls have made it their 'determined purpose' to BE one! I want to look at these verses from a little different angle again! Verse 10 asks the question "who can find her"? "Can find" is the Hebrew word "matsa`", which means: to come forth, to appear, to exist, to attain, to find or acquire. Remember, as you read this Proverb, that it was written by a mother to her son! She was instructing him that THIS should be his standard for choosing a bride! In "matsa`" we understand that she is telling him that not every girl he meets will BE this type of woman! Some of the girls he meets will be nice to look at, but what is important is what is going on INSIDE! All of the wonderful things written about this woman are attributes and character traits that this 'Mama' wants her son to watch for! This does NOT mean that he will find one woman who will look like, sound like, act like and be the actual manifestation of this Proverb! No one woman will perfectly be or do all of these! BUT, when you make your standard HIGH, then you will automatically rule out certain traits, habits and characteristics that are ungodly and not desirable. The other question that this verse asks is "WHO"! Who will be able to find this woman? My answer to you is this: GOD and God alone REALLY knows each person from the inside out! If we look and search for characteristics only, without seeking the Lord and being led, guided and directed by His Spirit, we can still find ourselves with someone not at all suited to God's plans and purposes for our lives, which are the BEST plans (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)!
And now, I want all of the young ladies to realize that these same general traits, habits and characteristics are a great place to start as YOU believe God for a future husband! And then allow HIM to lead, guide and direct YOU! AMEN! Another point that I would like to make is that those things listed in the Proverb above as the attributes of a godly woman, also pronounce, from God's view point, that a godly woman CAN DO ANYTHING THAT SHE LAYS HER HANDS TO! There are so many ways that a determined, hard working, faith-filled woman can bring glory to God with her life! She can pursue any career, is equal (in HIM) to any task set before her, and she has the favor and Anointing of God to accomplish it all! If YOU are setting yourself to BE a woman such as this, walk in the freedom to make the choices that are right for YOU, and then grant every other woman the same freedom! This Proverb 31 woman (man, human being) is actually the picture of the born again, Spirit-filled child of the living God who knows who they are and WHOSE they are! BE that one! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Life":
Shalom in Him!
