Learning from the Proverbs 31 Woman

For the past few days I’ve been reading and re-reading Proverbs 31:10-31, the story of The Virtuous Wife.

I want to learn from this woman.

The woman that was pleasing in God’s sight.

The woman whose story, God chose to tell.

I learned in my study of these verses, that they are an acrostic poem. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, encouraging it’s memorization.

We do not know who this woman was, but it is very clear what she was.

10Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
(Thank You Lord for these words of affirmation)

11The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

12She does him good and not evil. All the days of her life.
(Reminder of what I vowed on my wedding day)

13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
(I’m working on the “willingly” part)

14She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
(I will not complain about my 25 minute drive to the grocery store)

15She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
(Ouch…the is the hard one for me. The past has shown me that my mornings go soooo much better when I get up before everyone else, fix them a good breakfast, and have their lunches packed and ready to go. Everything just runs more smoothly when I do this. But…..oh how I love my sleep. I honestly run better on 12 hours of sleep. Seldom do I get that. So this is another one that I’m working on. With God’s help, I will “rise while it is yet night”.)

16She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
(Lord help me be a good steward of the things you’ve given me)

17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

18She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
(I pray that at the end of each day, I can look back at my day with a smile and a sense of accomplishment)

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

20She extends her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
(Help me reach those in need by partnering with World Vision and sponsoring a child)

21She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her house hold is clothed with scarlet.
(Thank You Lord for introducing me to L&M…what a great way to be a good steward of our money)

22She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband in known in the gates, When he sits among the elder of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
(Lord, I want to honor You)

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
(Often a hard thing to live out….yet again this is something I’m working on. Thanks to my dear friend Melissa, I’ve taken another look at this area of my life. Join us in a challenge that she has started…The Beautiful Mommy Challenge. You don’t however, have to be a mommy to accept this challenge. It’s applies to all women.)
27She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
(Lord help me to raise my children in Your way. Help me raise them to love You, and to look to You in all things. And help me to never get so attached to any one thing that I let all other things go lacking. I don’t want to dine on the “bread of idleness”)

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.
(One of the greatest longings of my heart)

29Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.
(The words I long to hear from the Lord. I pray more than anything that I am found pleasing in His sight)

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing; But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
(AMEN and AMEN! So thankful for these words from the Lord. Thankful that He taught me to look on the inside of a person…to look on the inside of myself…where the heart is.)

31Give her the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
(May my actions speak louder than my words. May I be a Godly example for those around me. I want them to see Jesus in me.)


Striving to be who God intended for me to be,

Tracey
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