VIRTUOUS

Proverbs 31 lists the attributes of a virtuous woman. That was my bible reading this morning and I thought I would use it as my guide for the blog today. I am not sure I will ever live up to all of these, but I can strive to do it, and with the grace of my Lord and savior maybe some day I will.

Verse 10: "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies." In the days that this was written a ruby cost a lot. Probably Kings and the riches of families were the only ones that could afford them. Today, they are still expensive and some more than others, they are more affordable. That doesn't mean that finding a virtuous woman is easier. Virtue is not an easy trait to aquire or attribute to find in someone.

Verses 11- 12:  "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life." These verse tell how a virtuous woman treats her husband. She does not give Him cause to be ashamed because she does not speak poorly of Him in public. Sh treats him with the respect he deserves, and in turn he is to treat her the same way. I am not married and never have been so I can not speak to this, I have seen and heard people treat their husbands with disrespect by telling the "bad" things that do. I do not believe this is healthy for any relationship. 

Verses 13-27: I am not going to place all those verse here, I will do some individually as I move on. These verses show her work ethic. A virtuous woman takes care of her household any way she can. She buys food from far off or she grows it herself. She makes the clothes her family needs and sells other items to help with the cost of raising a family. She rises early in the morning and she stays up long after everyone else is in bed. A virtuous woman is a hard worker.

Verse 17: "She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms." She is strong. That means she probably gets exercise as she is working to support her family. All the cleaning and gardening, lifting children and walking gives her strength to do the things she needs to do. 

Verse 20: "She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy." She helps those who are less fortunate than herself or her family. I am sure if she can't "help" then her heart and prayers go out to those who need it. She probably guides her children to know that giving to others is a blessing and not a fault or harmful to themselves. 

Verse 26: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." In the time that this was written the only bible was the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the bible) and some of the psalms and proverbs may have been accessible to men but not so much to women. So the words of wisdom she spoke and the laws of kindness were those that had been taught to her by her Father, her husband, and from her God. God spoke to people then as he does now. A still small whisper, in the heart of believers. I believe that a virtuous woman listens to that voice and reads the word we have now and passes on the things God has set in her heart to be true.

Verse 27-31: "She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise

up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates." The virtuous woman receives praise for her deeds from her family. She does not worry about whether or not she gets it. She only cares that God is honored by her work, and seeks to love and glorify Him through all she does. Her testimony will follow her every where she goes. 

Lord please help me to be this woman. I know I fall short of it and I pray that I can become more like her in all that I do. 

The Quote: 

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10

The Drawing: