The woman described in this passage is someone pretty special, she is well respected by her family and members of her community,(Proverbs 31:10-11&27-31) she is hard working, and always thinking of ways to help provide for her household (Proverbs 31:15-19), as well as being someone who thinks of others in need by extending kindness to the poor (Proverbs 31:20) and a source of wisdom and faithful instruction (Proverbs 31:26). This is something I definitely try to fulfill, and I think most Christian women would say the same because these qualities not only are found here in this passage but are asked of us all, and talked about in other passages as well. It is not only the duty of a wife of noble character to do these things, but also her husband. Yes men, I'm picking on you too, mostly because all of this can really be summed up by saying that the Proverbs 31 wife is a woman who displays the fruit of the Spirit. It is because of her love for God and devotion to her family that she has respect among others and it is that same Spirit that has made her a treasure to her husband, and if any of us male or female is truly walking in the Spirit these characteristics will be evident in us as well.
What are the fruits of the Spirit? Well, here's how Paul puts it in Galatians 5:22-24 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." I think most of us could agree, that these are characteristics we would expect in the woman who is described in Proverbs 31; the actions she takes certainly speaks of kindness, gentleness, self-control, love, and two other things that Paul did not mention but I have seen in all those who serve the Lord whole heartedly, diligence and Godly wisdom in guiding others.
So now that I've talked a little about the fruits of the spirit, and the wife of noble character I want to explain why these things were on my mind. Yesterday I posted something called 'Is This the World You Want to be A Part of?' where I wrote about how mixed up and backward our world is. At the end of that post I asked you if you were going to continue to sit around waiting on our Lord's return or if you were willing to fulfill His greatest commandments(Matthew 22:37-40), today I wanted to show you what it looks like when you do. I wanted to point you to Proverbs 31; and Galatians 5:22-24 so you could examine your heart, would people see you as the noble spouse, would they see the fruits of the spirit flowing out of you? If not, perhaps it's time to become not only a hearer of the word but a doer as well(James 1:22-25).
Truly, I write this not only for you, but for myself as well. I know I have miles to go on this journey, and I am just learning what it means to truly be a doer of the word. I have always been generous with my money to those in need, but I am learning there is more to giving than opening my pocketbook, true giving, truly being a doer means giving not only out of what as been provided for me, but also my time and my heart because it is then that we truly enable others to see Jesus living in us. Be blessed in Jesus precious name.
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Romans 2:13
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
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