Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all

In some bible versions it says ‘daughters’ rather than women and talks of ‘excellence’ rather than being ‘noble’. Who is it that has surpassed them all? And what is it that she’s done so excellently?

I believe that it is referring in entirety to the Proverbs 31 woman and how she has carried herself, and her role as mother, wife, woman in an excellent and noble manner, that she has surpassed all others in the way she carries herself.

Such a high ideal for us all to meet, but certainly one worth aiming for. Have you noticed how if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it? Then so must we hit something if we aim at something – even if it isn’t the bullseye.

If your life’s goal is to be a Proverbs 31 woman, to provide for your family through your gifts, abilities, resources at hand, etc, then your family will certainly benefit and you can be sure of receiving a message of ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ when your time is done here on earth. For what better cause is there than to bring up children to be God-fearing adults and to care for and support a hard-working husband, being in total partnership with him? Eve was created to be a help-mate to her husband, Adam, and so it is with us today. Men and women, partners in the household and family, each carrying out their particular roles for the benefit of each member of the family.  Perhaps there is some merit in that phrase ‘behind every successful man is a woman’ – particularly if she is a Proverbs 31 woman.  KMT

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Blessed is the woman whose children appreciate her. Little kids do but as the children grow older, they often tend to take mum for granted. It’s not until they, themselves, become parents that they begin to appreciate all that mum did for them. And if mum is truly blessed, they’ll let her know just how much they appreciate her for all she’s done. On occasion it might even happen before a child becomes a parent themselves.

We’ve brought up five daughters and it’s not been without its challenges. I have had moments when one or the other of the girls have made it known how much they appreciate something that I have done for them. But there have been times when no appreciation has been shown and that’s when my husband has been a real blessing – letting me know that he understands and appreciates all I’ve done for the girls, as they’ve been growing up. I know that as our girls become mothers, a new relationship between them and me will develop and I’ll have opportunity to mentor and teach younger women, just as we’re taught in Titus 2:4. KMT

Proverbs 31:28, blessed, Titus 2:4, appreciation

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I’ve known very few women in my life who are idle. I’m talking about those who are married with a family to care for. Oh, I’ve met the occasional one who doesn’t seem to do anything but sit in front of the TV with absolute chaos reigning around them, but they’ve been few and far between – perhaps I just don’t mix in the same circles.

Women who have active lives do not ‘eat the bread of idleness’, but rather seem to cram as much as they can into their lives to keep the household running smoothly, to help all family members achieve whatever they’ve set out to do, and then still do what they need to do, whether it’s working in a job of some kind, fulfilling a voluntary role, or something else. Almost every woman I know fits into this mould. Why do we do this? Try to get as much done as possible and leave very little time to ourselves? And what about time for God?

Some might argue that it’s our current social climate but I argue that it is inbuilt, that it is in a woman’s nature – this verse seems to indicate that women have been like this for a long time! And I believe it is a good thing – women watching over their household and keeping busy. But let’s not forget how important it is that we set aside time for our Lord, time to pray to Him, time to talk to Him, and more importantly, time to listen. KMT

proverbs 31:27, proverbs 31 woman, idleness, busy-ness, chaos, household

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Much of what the Proverbs 31 woman speaks about and gives guidance from, is based on past experience and the company she keeps.

Our whole lives are made up of a combination of a number of things and these two: experience and our environment, are two important aspects of that. The Proverbs 31 Woman keeps company with her God, she seeks His guidance, His wisdom, spends time in His presence, reads His Word and instils it into her heart. This is her ‘environment’ and the company she is keeping. And then the experiences she has in her life is shaped by how much God is in her life and as she goes through life she seeks His support and guidance in dealing with the things of life.

From there, she can speak with wisdom and give faithful instruction to those she has a responsibility for – her children, those entrusted to her care, younger women seeking guidance.

Prayer: Thank you Father that you faithfully guide us and instruct us in the things of life, so that we can share what we’ve learnt to others who also need to know these things. Help us to be the Proverbs 31 women you would have us be so that we can help guide others in your ways. Amen.

Proverbs 31:26, wisdom, faithful instruction, Proverbs 31 woman

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

There is still room today for the modern woman and housewife, to have an assurance of things to come. We hear and see so much doom and gloom around us, and yet, as a Woman of God, we should have an assurance that the days to come will be even better, knowing that our Lord is with us. We are given this promise all throughout the New Testament, and the Old Testament foretold many of the things we read of in the N.T.

There is something about a home that has a Woman of God caring for it, and lovingly caring for her family. She has a quiet dignity about her, a confidence in who she is and what she is about. A confidence that she knows who is in control and this gives her the ability to ‘laugh at the days to come’, even in the face of heartache that abounds around us from time to time.

Prayer: Thank you Father that you provide us with an assurety of your never ending love, and your continual interest in our lives. Please help us to share this same assurety with our families, showing them that they too, can feel confident of the future that You have within Your hands. Amen.

Proverbs 31:25, strength, Proverbs 31 woman