The Virtuous Woman
“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
Christmas Season
We are entering a month that has been traditionally busy. During the Christmas season, some of us are under strain to decorate our house, cook meals for guests, buy gifts for family and friends, and attend parties and parades. Resting is while driving or on the way to visit relatives. Where can we find joy in such a hectic schedule? What is our motive for doing all this work?
Blessing Her Home
Consider with me the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. She got up early (31:15) and went to bed late (31:18). Hard work did not frighten her (31:27), making her own clothes (31:13), including the thread itself from wool and flax (31:13,19). She was strong physically from her work (31:17). Budgeting her time, she could go shopping for food (31:14). Anticipating future needs, she bought a field and planted a vineyard on it (31:16). A good manager, she supplied the materials for her household staff (31:15).
Counting herself blessed at home, she reached out to do things for the poor and needy in the community (31:20). This lady was an entrepreneur, making fine linen and selling it. Some items she sold were girdles, or sashes, to be used like belts around the waist (31:24).
Wisdom
Speaking with wisdom using the law of kindness, she instilled in her children godly values (31:26-27). Taking care of the needs at the house freed her husband to be an elder, a leader in the community (31:23). Loving her family in practical ways so their needs were amply met, this lady’s husband and children praised her (31:28).
How could this virtuous woman live such a busy life? We wonder if she thought it a drudgery at times to do all that work. Was she overextended?
Reverance of God
Her virtue did not come from herself but was sourced in God, whom she feared (31:30). Reverencing God, He gave her ideas she put into practice. That gave her moral backbone and physical strength.
As this lady took care of her family’s needs, she found ways to excel in being a woman clothed with strength and honor (31:25). This virtuous woman realized her ability and strength lay in being a channel for God to use for His glory.
These days everyone alive is being stretched. Like the proverbial moving target, the jobs we are tasked to do keep changing. This is the time when God is the most useful. He is not surprised when we encounter changes we did not anticipate.
May we as imperfect people excel in leaning on God today. In this way, virtue will be found in us in the form of spiritual fruit that will remain. Fruit-bearing creates joy because God is fulfilling His purpose for our life on earth. The attainable goal for today is to let His light shine in us so others will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). May God be praised!
https://youtu.be/XGnhBByRGjU
https://youtu.be/XGnhBByRGjU Who Is She? Proverbs 31
Shirley Logsdon
