Proverbs has a lot to say about women. It is often said that
the Bible portrays women, the ideal woman, as a servant. It just isn’t so. The
book ends with a picture of a woman with strong character, great wisdom, many
skills and great compassion. Proverb 31:10-31 shows that the ideal woman is an
excellent wife and mother and so much more. As you read the verse, you will
realize that her appearance is never mentioned. She is not described as thin,
fat, tall, short, beautiful or average. Because her physical appearance doesn’t
matter, regardless of what society says, which is why the section is often
titled “The Wife of Noble Character.” So, I looked through the Bible to find
examples of women who, in part, fit these characteristics.
The ideal woman is valuable (verse 10) and trustworthy
(verse 11). She brings her family good, not harm, for all her days (verse 12).
She’s industrious and she works with eager hands (verse 13). She’s a business
woman who imports products for her family’s meals (verse 14). She’s diligent as
she gets up early and provides food for her family and others (verse 15). She’s
entrepreneurial as she “considers a field and buys it” and “out of her earnings
she plants a vineyard” (verse 16). She is wise with money and only purchases
quality goods. As I read these verses, I was reminded of Lydia in Acts
16:14-15. She was a businesswoman opened her home to Paul as he began his
ministry. Another woman is Priscilla (Acts 18), along with her husband, Aquila,
worked as a successful tentmaker and helped Paul’s ministry. Priscilla is an
example of a wife who works as a partner with her husband and not as a servant
for him.
The ideal woman works hard and strong at her tasks (verse
17). She is attentive to her business (verse 18) and she is a hard worker
(verse 19). She is compassionate as she “opens her arms to the poor and extends
her hands to the needy” (verse 20). She is confident (verse 21) and elegant
(verse 22). She is admirable and her husband is admired in part because of her
(verse 23). Ruth wasn’t afraid of hard work. She married one of Naomi’s sons
and when he died, she decided to remain with Naomi and return with her to her
home in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:4-19). As a widow, she would have been poverty
striven, taken advantaged of or ignored. She gave up the possibility of
security of another husband in her home of Moab, to take care of Naomi. She
went to the fields during harvest and gathered grain left behind by the
harvesters (Ruth 2:7). It was there she caught the eye of Boaz, who owned the
field where she was gathering grain (Ruth 2:3). She later married Boaz (Ruth
4:13) and is know her for love of her mother-in-law, Naomi and her kindness to
others.
The ideal woman is a capitalist as she “makes linen garments
and sells them,” supplying “merchants with sashes” (verse 24). She is dignified
(verse 25). She is wise and gives faithful instruction (verse 26). She is
watchful (verse 27). She is honored by her family (verse 28) as she surpasses
many of the other noble women (verse 29). She fears the Lord (verse 30) and
acclaimed (verse 31). One woman I see in these verses is Hannah in 1 Samuel
1-11. She was fervent in worship and effective in prayer as she turned to the
Lord with her troubles. 1 Samuel 1:10 says that “in bitterness of soul, Hannah
wept much and prayed to the Lord.” She brought her problem to God with honesty
and devotion. Another woman I see in these verses is Abigail in 1 Samuel
25:14-28 when she was wise enough to know that her husband, Nabal, had greatly
insulted the new king and set out to correct the situation. She gathered food
and wine for King David and his men and sought forgiveness for her husband’s
rudeness. Because of her wisdom, Abigail saved many men’s lives and promoted
peace.
In conclusion, the Wife of Noble Character isn’t a model to
imitate but an inspiration to be all you can be, to learn from her perseverance,
integrity, and resourcefulness. The Book of Proverbs begins with the command to
fear the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” It ends with the picture
of a woman who fills this command. Proverbs 31:30 says “Charm is deceptive, and
beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” When you
read this verse, remember it is not about being perfect. While many of the
women I mentioned did not fit every verse, they were examples of women who did
their best. It is about living life with purpose, diligence, and caring for
your loved ones the best way you know how with the Lord’s guidance and
direction.
