May 29, 2013 – Daily Bible Reading

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Proverbs – Chapter 31 –

Proverbs 31:10-31 – The 10 Virtues of a Woman Who Fears the Lord

First of all, the focus of this passage is the virtuous woman. The word translated woman can also be translated wife, and the context describes a married woman who has taken full responsibility over her household. It is interesting that the book of Proverbs ends with the description of the virtuous woman. Considering the wisdom in many proverbs has been represented by a woman (Pro 1:20, 7:4, 8:1, 9:1), the parallel runs deep. I believe that the virtues described here are all the characteristics of the personification of wisdom.  Some of these virtues have been already described referring either to wisdom itself or a virtuous wife (See for example Pro 12:4).

I have re-grouped the description into 10 different virtues as follows:

1. She has the fear of the Lord (that is the beginning of all wisdom – Pro 1:7, 9:10)
2. She is strong emotionally and physically (this is the result of her relationship with God – Pro 14:27, 24:5, 28:1, 31:17)
3. It is rare to find a wise wife (not many are wise – 1 Cor 1:26)
   1. She excels above other women (Pro 31:29)
   2. She is worth more than rubies (Pro 3:15, 8:11, 31:10)
   3. She is wise (Pro 31:26)
4. Her relationship with her Husband (Pro 12:4)
   1. Her husband is a wise man (Pro 31:23)
   2. She is trusted by her husband (Pro 31:11)
   3. Her husband praises her (Pro 31:28, 1 Pet 3:7)
5. Her children call her blessed (Pro 31:28)
6. She is generous
   1. She does good every day (Pro 31:12)
   2. She helps the poor (Pro 31:20)
7. She is an industrious and skillful worker
   1. She rises before dawn and is not idle (Pro 31:15)
   2. She willingly works with her hands (Pro 31:13, 15, 19)
   3. She makes tapestry and clothes for herself {Pro 31:22)
8. She manages her household well
   1. She provides food for her household and servants (Pro 31:15)
   2. Her lamp does not go out at night (Pro 31:18)
   3. Her household is warmly clothed (Pro 31:21)
   4. She brings food from far (Pro 31:14-15)
9. She is financially wise
   1. She will prosper in what she does (Pro 31:31)
   2. She buys fields and with the profits, plants vineyards (Pro 31:16, 18)
   3. She can choose merchandise (Pro 31:18)
   4. She makes and sells garments and sashes (Pro 31:24)
10. She will ripe the fruit of her labor
    1. She is honored and shall rejoice (Pro 31:28, 30)
    2. She shall be praised publicly (Pro 31:31)

Solomon told us that “he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord: (Pro 18:22) that parallels Proverbs 8:34 concerning wisdom.

The Transforming Power of Love

As Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” In Ephesians 5:22:33 we find the answer to this question with another parallel: Christ and His bride, the church. “Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He may sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having a spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she be holy and without blemish.”  (Eph 5:25-27)  Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. As the fear of the Lord operates on both, husband and wife, wisdom, love and respect will grow in their lives with all the fruit of the Spirit.

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I thank you Father, for Your Word and for the hope that brings to my heart. We are Your bride, and we want to be like the virtuous woman, cleansed and without any spot or wrinkle. I want to manifest in my life all the wisdom and virtues You came to enable me to have because You provided for all things I need for life and godliness.

Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

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