Title: The Virtuous Woman
Theme: To show the importance of a wife
Text: Proverbs 31:10-31
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
This passage is designed for three people
1. The man looking for a wife. In it we see the qualities that he must look for. Understanding as the last part of Proverbs reads,"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:"
2. The young lady who will one day become a wife. Here is here example on how to be a wife. She here has a true guideline. It allows here to not go by the opinion of the world or by the opinion of her husband but of what God’s word says.
3. The wife. The one who has found her mate. She is married but she still needs that standard. Maybe her husband doesn’t expect as much or more. She must live up to the goal of God’s word. I don’t know if it is attainable for a wife but it is definitely what one must work to.
But notice I did not say that it is for the husband. Husbands would love to know that God gave them rules by which they can judge their wives. This is not the purpose of Proverbs. God does not intend for a husband to hound a wife about her faults although we do and it is very hard not to. Actually many times criticism is easier than complements. It is easier to tell her what she does wrong than what she does right. We get used to what she does right and when a time comes where she makes a mistake then we point it out.
It is not a husbands job to use this to criticize his wife. Actually the way a man can change his wife is by first changing himself and through prayer. When the wife sees this she is so overwhelmed with love and conviction that she herself begins to change.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
What a question to ask? Who can find a virtuous woman? Who can find a woman of strong character?
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
trust worthy. She is trusted by her husband in all her endeavors. From her personal life. I believe trust is an important factor. It takes two. 1) the trust of the husband 2) the subjection of a wife. If there is not trust then a marriage can fall. And the question must be asked, Why can’t he trust me? What am I doing?
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Her goal is first to her God second to her husband and third to her children.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:22-24 AV)
For some wives this would be hard but for the virtuous woman this would not be. She understands that she is the helpmeet to her husband. Not the servant but the helpmeet. She has a role in the family as so does her husband.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She doesn’t mind working. As I said she does her part to keep the family together.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She is thrifty. If anything most women have a tendency to be thrifty and but thrifty. They know how much they got and how much to spend and they work it out. How many men do you know carry grocery list with them shopping and knowing where best to buy each item.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She is willing to work all night to get the job done.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. {buyeth: Heb. taketh}
Here we speak of stewardship. I think that it is no surprise that many a women in the home handle the check book. I don’t think that it is biblical either way. Although I not much on having separate checking accounts except under special circumstances. But as long as it is not hoarded over one another there is nothing wrong with one handling the check book.
Women are good stewards. Why? Because most of the time they are good thinkers. They take time. I should hear some Amens.
Although this does not take the obligation off neither one in the house. Especially when it comes to God’s tithe and offering. It is the responsibility of both to make sure this is paid and when it is not then both will answer to God.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. {She...: Heb. She tasteth}
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. {She...: Heb. She spreadeth}
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. {scarlet: or, double garments}
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She is beautiful in her up keep. It don’t believe it has to be extravagant in dress but maybe nice. Some women when they get married they automatically go to pot. They dress ragged. The same as with the husband. But I believe a woman should look nice for her husband. Notice I said for her husband. Who cares what others think.
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:1-4 AV)
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; {broided: or, plaited} But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10 AV)
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Everybody knows he has a good wife. Wives who are virtuous are known to be virtuous. Although many a time they are not seen out side of social occasions and church people know they are virtuous. I believe they see this in the husband. They way he talks. The way he acts. The way he looks.(especially kind of plump)
A Virtuous woman is also a good Mother.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour 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.
Woman as the teacher. She is the one who espouses the wisdom of the bible to her children.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Many wives downfall is idleness. I think one of the worst idleness is "Soap Operas". And this is one thing that I can say from experience. There is in reality no excuse to watch them. Many a marriages have been broken up because the husbands could not live up to the standard.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. {have...: or, have gotten riches}
She is recognized by her children. As is known behind every great man there is a woman and behind every great child there is a mother.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
It is all summed up in this. None of the above is important unless it is guided by the fear of the Lord. This shown in every work.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31 AV)
The question we come to now is how does a wife live up to the virtues found in these passages. How can one do these? If one fails in one are they no longer virtuous? But I bring you back to the thought at the beginning. These are goals. They are attainable goals but they are goals. God’s ideal is for you to have each one of these working in your life. That is his ideal but he knows it is a process just as sanctification is a process so he wants you to strive for these. Let you sight be set on these.
So I ask you wives do you need help. I want to issue you a challenge. Maybe you have been focusing on what your husband needs to do and it is time to focus on your virtues. Maybe you have not lived up to God’s standard. God is there to help you are you willing to take the plunge.
