Her Price is Far Above Rubies:

Thoughts on the Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 is a huge topic to fit into one article- especially since I’ve seen whole books expounding on it!  Hence, I’ll just hit on some of the verses, and what the Lord’s taught me with them.  It would take many, many more pages to fully do the chapter justice.  J

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

Even back in Old Testament times, a virtuous woman was a rare and beautiful gem.  Now today, in a society full of feminists, and an anti-God society, a virtuous woman is rarer than ever before.  Sister, if you’ve chosen to take a stand against all the deceitful lies the world has, you’re worth far more than rubies.  You are priceless!  The world will tell you that you can’t be anyone with making something of yourself in corporate America, but, alas!—this work will never allow you to be what you’re worth.  Verse 29 says, Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  The virtuous woman has a beautiful role.  I believe the Mother’s attitude determines the attitudes of the rest of the household, and that as stay-at-home daughters, we have a great influence as well.  We have the ability, if we rely on Jesus, to help our Mothers create a cheerful, peaceful atmosphere.  We have the ability to help make our homes a shelter in the storms of the world, a center of joy, a loving haven.  Certainly, there’ll be days….but with God, all things are possible!

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 Now’s the time to learn responsibility- it won’t suddenly change over night once (if) you get married!  We can also apply the practicality of responsibility by helping our parents.  Can they trust you to handle things (financial as well as other areas), and rest assured you won’t “ruin” them?  If they were to need to leave your siblings in your care for a day, would they have to worry?

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

It’s interesting to note here that it doesn’t say, “She will do him good and not evil all the married days of her life,” but simply, “all the days of her life.”  This means that right now, whether we know our future spouse or not, we’re supposed to be doing him good.  “But how?” you may ask.  By keeping yourself pure and guarding your heart.  It’s not an easy task, Sister!  However, it is worth it to wait on God’s best, and keep ourselves pure until that time, instead of playing at the “dating game”.  Lest you begin to get the idea that I’ve got this all down pat, let me assure you, I don’t!  Yes, in theory and writing.  But living out our convictions is often so much harder.  I’ve messed up, and am very far from perfect!  I hope, in the future, to share more on this topic, as it would fill many more pages than I have room for!

13, 19 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

 Have you noticed how efficient this woman is?!  She seems to be constantly productive.  Verses 21 and 22 also tell us that she’s not afraid of the snow, because (by her needle) all her household is clothed well.  Verse 27, She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness, tells us very plainly that she’s not lazy!  In spite of the constant activity, in her tongue is the law of kindness.  How many times do we get stressed when everything’s flying at us- and nobody better disturb us or else!  Verse 15, She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens, reminds us that she didn’t oversleep.  Can’t you picture her up before the rest of the household, baking bread?

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Clearly, in spite of always having plenty to do, she made hers a welcoming home.  I imagine the poor and needy would have talked to no end about her!  Do we create a welcoming atmosphere in our home, to whoever is around us?  Are we always sincerely glad to see someone, whoever they might be, stop by, or ask for our assistance?

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

The latter part of this verse seems to indicate that the Proverbs 31 woman plans ahead.  She must’ve been very organized!  J  Have you ever went to start making something for dinner, only to remember (half way through) that you’re out of one of the most prominent ingredients?  My hand’s raised…a few weeks ago, I did it twice in a row!  If I’d been more organized and stayed on top of our grocery lists and menu planning, it probably wouldn’t have happened.  J  Organization is very important- especially in a homeschool family! 

Not only did she keep the home in order, she also aided her husband financially.  I’ve seen many commentaries stating that this “proves the point” that women are supposed to have jobs outside the home.  (they find ways to write off Titus 2:5)  However, I strongly disagree.  Nowhere does it say she was a tax collector, government official, tradesman working in a shop all day, or anything else of that kind.  Instead, it tells of things she did from the home, like making and selling fine linens.  (verse 24)  If it’s not necessary financially, I don’t believe a woman must be earning an income, but rather, that it would be better for her to devote her life to her children and husband.  However, if it were needed, the Proverbs 31 woman was ready, willing, and able to aid her husband in this area.  She was also wise in her dealings, as verse 16 tells us….

She considereth a field, and buyeth it…

23 Her husband is known in the gate, and when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 Instead of chasing her own dreams and “ministries”, I think this woman helped to strengthen her husband, encouraging him.  She must also have been trustworthy, so that he could sit with the elders, and not worry about his home and family.  Obviously, most of us aren’t currently married.  However, for now, we can “practice” on our fathers, by helping further his ministries, instead of chasing “ours”. 

It’s easy to get discouraged when walking the difficult path of holiness.  It can also become even more discouraging when reading a passage like this and exclaiming, but I could never be that perfect!  No one’s perfect, we’re all going to mess up.  No one can perfectly follow the role of the Proverbs 31 woman- if they could, they wouldn’t need Christ!  What’s important is that we- through Christ’s strength- try.  Often, God puts us in various positions in life for the sole purpose of teaching us that we need His grace.  Sister, in the end, it’s worth it to run the race, and fight the good fight.

30-31 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 

Keep seeking Him, dear Sister!

Ideas for Home-based Businesses

~Begin your own cleaning business, cleaning others’ homes

~Work for your Dad, if he has his own business (helping your Dad, regardless of his job, is a great ministry!

~Tutor, or teach classes on a certain strong point of yours (for example, a writing course) to homeschoolers

~Selling handiwork you do (For example, I currently have a very small machine embroidery business.  After two years of praying, and waiting for a less-busy time, the Lord has also just started opening doors for me to begin slowly adding modest clothing in.)

~Selling baked goods

~If you’re an animal lover, you could consider breeding animals

Return to Articles Index

Featured in the September 2006 issue of  With all of  Thy Heart. (c) 2006  With all of Thy Heart E-zine