The Virtuous Woman
Proverbs 31 has been, and always will be, the supreme poetic tribute to the godly woman. Consider the following acrostic a simple tool to remember eight of her enduring qualities.
VALUABLE – For her worth is far above jewels (v. 10).
INDUSTRIOUS – She looks for wool and flax, and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night (vv. 13-18). She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple (vv. 21, 22). She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen (v. 24). She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness (v. 27).
RESPECTABLE – Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all” (vv. 28-29). Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates (v.31). Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land (v. 23).
TRUSTWORTHY AND TACTFUL – The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life (vv. 11-12). She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (v.26).
UNSELFISH – She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy (vv. 19-20).
ORGANIZED – Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future (v. 25).
UNUSUAL – An excellent wife, who can find? (v. 10).
SPIRITUALLY-MINDED – Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised (v. 30).
This is her secret: She is godly, loving, and kind to all because she first and foremost fears the Lord. Her love for God governs everything she says and does and leads her to a life of self-sacrifice. May her tribe increase!
