This piece of the series was a long time in the making, and I apologize for the wait. I’ve been implementing a lot that I have been learning, had a baby, and completed another successful homeschool year. So, yes, this had been simmering on the back burner! Let’s get into it…
I went over in Part 1 of this series the idea that the virtuous woman had her husband’s trust in her marriage. In Part 2 I explained the virtuous woman’s willingness to work and do good. And in our last section Part 3 I expounded on the virtuous woman’s executive role. If I were to give this next installment a theme I would call it The Virtuous Woman’s Triumph.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hands to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is sill and purple.
Proverbs 31:18-22
She perseveres…
The virtuous woman we see here is still active in what she began, she is still busy at the little things. She is still working, providing, managing, and excelling.
The virtuous woman does not leave her first works when she progresses through life. Rather,she perseveres in her work, building on a strong foundation by faith. She labors in service to the Lord, and is blessed.
Her husband…
Here again we see her husband as we did at first. Her husband has a crucial role as she is HIS helpmeet. We should as Christian wives look to our husbands for our individual role, and how we can serve Christ by serving them.
When my husband and I travelled to minister on college campuses and in churches along the East Coast, my role then was not to maintain a home, or stay home with the children, as we had no certain dwelling place. We travelled together so I took on a more unique role of preparing and managing hotel rooms, campus excursions, and church visits with the children. I operated the camera, talked to people on the sidelines, and tried to make sure my husband had whatever he needed for the day. Had I taken the verses literally and invested in real estate or vineyards we would have been in a real mess. This is why I encourage you to apply the meaning of the verses to your situation!
In verse 11 we see that the virtuous woman has her husband’s trust and now he is able in verse 23 to have grown himself as well to be a leader, respected man, and elder in the land. Teamwork in a marriage should always result in healthy growth of both people. We see that played out clearly here:
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land
Proverbs 31:23
As a wife, don’t forget to encourage your husband to reach his good and godly goals as well! Building up our partner and team mate with encouraging words and support is vital to a healthy marriage.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14:1
She is unstoppable…
I cannot get over how amazing this woman of God is, and I want to be more like this every day! I want to cheer her on when I read it:
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:24-27
Like I wrote in this post about the virtuous woman the strength and honor she clothes herself in comes directly from the presence of the Lord, through prayer. Without prayer, our key ingredient, our recipe for biblical success is doomed to fail. Make sure as you study, implement suggestions, and plan your days that you do not forget to pray.
We can see in these four verses a brief summary or birds-eye-view of a life we can emulate:
- She is industrious, using her talents in a way that benefits the family
- She is prayerful, and God-fearing
- She is wise and kind
- She is active in looking after her family
We can see also that as she labors in Proverbs 31 she is in a great place for fulfilling her Titus 2 role as well:
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things,
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5
Surely a Godly praying woman speaks wisdom such as agrees with scripture to those around her! And her example, I am sure, speaks volumes as well.
She is triumphant…
As we have seen where the virtuous woman came from, how she grew and prospered, and how she persevered… we now see her from another perspective, that of her family.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31:28
Her effort, labor, perseverance- none of it is in vain. Place yourself there, YOUR effort is not in vain. Your labor is not in vain. Your perseverance is not in vain. As it says in the New Testament:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foreasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
This is a triumph. This is victory. Serving the Lord as he leads you. Blessing your family and those others around you.
Now, the scripture turns from description of this woman to addressing an individual. May this be true for you:
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Proverbs 31:29
The final point…
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the works of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:30-31
The point and conclusion to this post and this series is that: if you fear the Lord, and prayerfully follow the scriptural directions for your life, you will be blessed.
I cannot say that I am the example I ought to be in these areas. But, I strive to be more like Christ and the examples in scripture every day. These posts are things that I myself am studying to improve on, and I hope they encourage you to do the same!
Our focus as wives should be to honor God in our role of Help Meet. As aspiring Virtuous Women, we can learn a lot from the passage in Proverbs 31. We can learn about trust, time management, intent, perseverance, and prayerfulness. We can see how the scripture agrees with itself, and how the Bible as a whole is consistent. I pray that as you read the scriptures you are reminded of these truths and encouraged in your walk,
I hate wrapping up this series as I have enjoyed it so much myself. If this is the first one you have read, I really encourage you to click on the links throughout and catch up on the rest! Comment if it blessed you, and share as you feel lead.
Helping Meet 