A Virtuous Woman’s Marriage (Part 2)

Continuing on the topic of a virtuous woman’s marriage as outlined in Proverbs 31:

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:12

The action:

Beginning in verse 12 we see the introduction of the theme that a virtuous woman actively does good. She does good to her husband, to her household, to those ‘beneath her’, and also to herself.

Lets take a second and think about what this ‘doing’ is. The wording is that she ‘will do’ but I take a little liberty here and say that this includes the meaning ‘wills to do’ with the emphases on success. I say this because I literally believe that to do your husband good, you must do good on purpose.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Proverbs 31:13

The emotion:

In this next verse we see this shown again in that she seeks out work and works willingly. Now, she was seeking out work that was common in her time for a woman to take up, and I am so excited that there are so many different ways we can use our gifts to work for income nowadays. Sure wool and flax still have a great market value; but so does data entry, picture editing, virtual assistance, and even clothing resale! This doesn’t necessarily mean that she was working for income, many household duties included making clothing and such for the home as well in those days. I believe this can easily be applied as ‘she seeks out necessary work and does it willingly’.

The word willingly here literally includes the meaning of desiring, pleasuring, and purposing; not simply being ‘ok’ with doing the work, she joys in it. And wow, do I need to work on that. I always (before now) thought “I’m willing” and then grumbled my way through dishes and diapers and dusty shelves. Now I am trying to find ways to actually take pleasure in the work that is needful in our home. What a difference it can make to actually be a happy helper, it literally attracts help and a happy atmosphere… believe it or not!

The point;

The point today is that to do good, we must be intentional. And, as we are intentional in our doing we must also be intentional in our attitude.

I challenge you to do necessary things with delight, and seek out things that need to be done. Tie up loose ends, finish projects, whatever it may be for your home. Do your work with music on, or singing, or however you express your joy so that you can create the atmosphere or purposeful delight in your duties.

Prayerfully apply these thoughts to you!