The Ideal Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31 "The Ideal Woman"

This is Mother’s Day and I’d like to take a few moments and talk about the Ideal Woman.

What is the Ideal Woman like? You’ll get a variety of answers to that question! Some say the ideal woman is a woman who will obey your every whim, wait on you hand and foot, and literally worship the ground you walk on (I think the word for this is Male Chauvinism). Others say the ideal woman can do the work of two men, and if women were prime ministers and presidents, wars would end, unemployment would be eliminated, and world hunger would be a thing of the past (I think the word for this is Neo Feminism). The truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.

You don’t have to look very far to find a description of the Ideal Woman - if you have a Bible. Her description is found in Proverbs 31:10-31.

This Proverb is God’s description of the Ideal Woman - and God isn’t a chauvinist, He is our Creator. Ladies, He designed and created you, and He knows what will satisfy you and bring fulfilment to your life. You would be wise, if you acquaint yourself with this lady and make her your role model. And keep in mind - this proverb wasn’t written to make you feel guilty or place unrealistic expectations on your life. It was written to build you up and show you your God-given potential. Let’s notice 2 items about the Ideal Woman.

I. The Person She Is.

A. She is a Valuable WIFE.

Ladies, this isn’t to say that you’ll never fulfill your role in life if you are single. Heavens no! The Bible teaches that marriage is an honorable relationship between a man and a woman, but the Bible also places great honor on being single. In fact, 1 Corinthians 7 tells us there are some things a single person can do for God that a married person can’t. So don’t ever let any one make you feel like a second class person just because you’re single. But if you are married, or you intend to be married, then please realize that God expects you to be a valuable wife - like the woman in Proverbs 31.

Do you know what made her such a valuable wife? (Read vs. 10-12) She earned her husbands respect by working with him instead of against him. What an example to follow! Husbands and wives, moms and dads, work together as a team and don’t compete as opponents! You’re on the same team and you have the same goal: to build, provide for, and maintain a godly family! And ladies, you can be a valuable wife if you work with your husband to reach that goal!

B. She is a Vigorous WORKER.

A husband and wife should have a goal to build, provide for, and maintain a godly family and they should work hard to reach that goal. Parents shouldn’t be lazy, especially when it comes to their family. The Ideal Woman of Proverbs 31 isn’t lazy.

(1) She works hard at HOME (read vs 15 & 27). They say that a woman’s work is never done and that’s especially true of a woman’s work at home. Do you know what the most demanding job in the world is? Being a mother and a wife. Think about it. A mother has to be a nurse, a teacher, a child psychologist, a dietician, a housekeeper, and a cook. It takes hard work to build and maintain a family! So ladies, don’t get lazy when it comes to your home.

And husbands, don’t be lazy either. Appreciate the hard work your wife does at home - and give her a hand (a helping hand)!

(2) She works hard on the JOB (read vs. 18, 24). These verses describe a career woman. She is busy, buying, selling, and trading. It may shock you to realize that the Bible does not condemn a woman who works outside the home. The Ideal Woman of Proverbs 31 works outside the home and is commended - not condemned.

Ladies, if you don’t have to work outside the home, then take advantage of it and focus on ministering to your husband and raising your children. But if you have to find employment outside the home then don’t feel like a bad wife or a bad mother. You are being a good wife and a good mother because you’re helping provide for your family!

(3) She even works hard when she SHOPS (read vs. 13-16) (ILL: the way Carol shops) That’s commendable! She knows the value of a dollar and she doesn’t squander the family livelihood.

The ideal woman is a valuable wife, a vigorous worker, and . . .