The Proverbs Woman: Part 1
A Wife of Noble Character
Chances are, if you are reading this post, you are (a) A Woman, (b) A Christian, and (c) struggling with self esteem in some area of your life. I know I said that rather prophetically, but the truth is most women have something that they are insecure about. Then, we get hit with the Proverbial woman passage teaching us to be a noble wife.
This passage has been preached a ton of different ways, most of them from the perspective of being the perfect "help-mate" to a husband. If you came here looking for answers from an article that would finally teach you how to be the perfect wife, this ain't that. But, if you are open to reading an article that may help you see the perfection already inside you, read on sister-friend!
Let's first look at the passage as a whole. Proverbs 31:10-31.
10 A wife of noble characterwho can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
If you have time, make sure to check out The Voice translation of this passage.
Reading through this acrostic poem that has one line for every letter of the Hebrew alphabet, I notice that even the style and construction of the poem is intentional. The Proverbial Woman is complete within herself. She does some of this and some of that and she takes care of everyone else, but she also takes care of herself.
The proverbial woman is doing all that SHE WANTS to do because she chooses to do so. She is enjoying life and bringing joy to those who matter most to her because she takes time to herself to make sure her cup is filled with God's presence. Then, that presence within creates the confidence she needs to pour out into everyone around her.
One of my favorite things about this poem is that it is written by a woman. Going back up to verse 1 of the chapter, it says, "These are the words of King Lemuel. An oracle of wisdom handed down to him by his mother."
"The proverbial woman is doing all that SHE WANTS to do because she chooses to do so."
Of course, it's kind of obvious that a woman is responsible for these words because there is not one mention of her physical appearance in the passage. As women, we must notice the beauty in ALL the things we offer the world, not just our contoured faces and treasures down under. And we must be diligent in helping the queens and goddesses around us to do the same.
So, if you are reading this, know that just as the passage about the proverbial woman is complete in the very construction of it, you are complete in the very creation of you. God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, yet still decided that it wasn't complete without your existence.
In life you will grow and expand in your understanding, but all of that comes from the inside out. The spirit within you draws out the purposes and plans that God deposited inside you when he imagined your manifestation. You are complete, becoming more aware of and aligning with what is already inside you.
"You are complete, becoming more aware of and aligning with what is already inside you."
Whether you are already a wife, soon to be a wife, or nowhere near thinking about marriage at all, you are still that proverbial woman. We will continue to look at this passage every week to see what else you can discover about yourself through the lens of your creator. Until then, make a note and remind yourself often that you were completed at creation.
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