Proverbs 31 Woman
03/12/2020
The woman described in this chapter gets a lot of hype for many reasons: other women dislike the seeming idealism that envelops her and label her character as unattainable, some try to emulate her while others despise what she represents (from their worldview and perspective). She appears to exceed the standards of modern womanhood, yet she is the embodiment of a standard: 'The Virtuous Woman'. She is to be admired and the source of her character and strength is certainly to be desired.
Often overlooked is the fact that this description and character analysis is set forth not by a man but by another woman. The king's mother first advises her son (in the third verse), against wasting time on multiple women--those women known to have destroyed kings, as well as any behavior that would be destructive to him as was destructive to the kings preceding him. She sets a distinction that directs to the objectivity much of the world has lost: an unbiased view towards ourselves and others through the lens of God's word. The world often hypes people based on the labels and affiliations they have, even justifying nasty character (say because the individual is from a 'marginalized' group) instead of looking at people for who they are by their character demonstrations, i.e knowing them by their fruit. There are all sorts of women but not all women should be celebrated. King Lemuel's mother did not just applaud the virtuous woman because she was a woman but rather for her moral excellence. Would we call King Lemuel's mother a misogynist? Of course not!
The distinction she sets, is an encouragement to all women, regardless of marital status (or race or ethnicity), to embrace and exemplify the character traits of not just woman (or even wife) but the Virtuous woman. I believe the reason the world despises this femininity is not that it "minimizes woman into a role and is restrictive" but because it reveals superior femininity where woman excels in her God-given calling--doing the very thing she was created for. Our gender roles cannot and should not be isolated from this. While I'd thought to myself in the past, "this can't be all that womanhood is", I acknowledge and admire how exceedingly far beautiful God's pattern for womanhood is, and I desire it. And truly too, this virtuous woman does far more than is prescribed by the world's measure for womanhood. This virtuous woman is hardworking, selfless, brings honor and respect to her husband, her children and all those around her among many things. She is exceedingly valuable than many recognize, far above jewels. Yet her praise resides not in these qualities she possesses but in the fact that she fears the Lord. It is her reverence and fear of God that influences the [intentional] excellence by which she does everything.
You can read the whole chapter without my commentary (italicized) and the additional titles (large subheadings) here
Proverbs 31 King James Version (KJV)
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
The Virtuous woman
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Essentially priceless
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She can be trusted by her husband because she is unlike other women encountered in Proverbs who nag (Pro.21:19) or tear down their own homes (Pro.14:1)
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
This begins even before she meets the man. As in, she doesn't do "good" all of a sudden because of marriage but she honors her husband (even in singlehood) because she honors God.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Resourceful and Responsible
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Economical and Hardworking
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Strives for excellence in her craft, diligent at her work
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Giving/Empathetic and Prepared
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Designer
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
One who uplifts her associates
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is honored because of her
Business Woman
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Wisdom and Feminine strength
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
The mother and excellent wife
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Woman of Faith
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
As stated earlier, the attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman are not limited to her marital status or to motherhood and are not to be observed from the world's viewpoint of gender equality (that women can do everything that men do because that is not the case). Rather, these attributes must be viewed in light of the fulfilling roles and expectations God has set out for women. Women as such should be praised...