A Virtuous Women is a Blessing
King Lemuel is only referred to once in our Bible. In Hebrew, the name Lemuel means “belonging to God”. Although there is no proof that King Lemuel is indeed King Solomon, we do know that a mother is giving wisdom to her son about the attributes of a good wife. A wife that would be a blessing to a king. One that would be a treasure to any man, but essentially a good influence to her husband. (A king.) We know from Proverbs 31 (V1&4) that this advice or aid came from King Lemuel’s mother. (Perhaps Bathsheba.) Furthermore, we know this mother seems to have vast wisdom and advice for her son. (Also perhaps, from first hand experience.) None the less, the wisdom is bestowed unto all of us through God’s Holy Word.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
(Proverbs 31:10)
A Virtuous Woman is Moral and Good
A virtuous woman in today’s world can look different from one beautiful lady to another. Virtuous means having virtue or characterized by virtue. Virtue is in general goodness, moral, excellence, of right action and thinking. A virtuous woman is extremely valuable, a treasure to those around her and honorable.
“Virtuous” only appears four times in the Bible. All four occasions are describing a woman.
- “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.“ (Ruth 3:11)
- “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)
- “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)
- “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (Proverbs 31:29)
A Virtuous Woman radiates her beauty from the inside.
Ladies are we virtuous? The value of a virtuous woman does not come from jewels, fancy clothes, nice cars, material possessions or even status in the community or church. Think about a ruby. It is a precious red gem that is second to the diamond in hardness, but transparent. However, star rubies are valued far above diamonds for their rarity. When cut the star ruby will display a six-rayed star shape in the center of the ruby. Such rubies are highly prized and sought after. As is a virtuous woman. Let us look closer at the description of this “virtuous woman”.
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” (Proverbs 31:11)
A Virtuous Woman is Trustworthy.
Married ladies, the heart is the host of human emotions. Trust is one of these emotions. Ladies do our husbands trust us for safety with these emotions. Can husbands go to us without risk, and firmly believe we will keep it from spoiling or damage? Unmarried ladies, how about your closest friends or parents. Can they trust you? Are you striving to develop a close relationship with your parents that is trustworthy and not damaging to the heart, emotions or testimony? Are we reliable in our relationships or our marriage to our husbands ladies?
We have true examples of trust from our Lord throughout our Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 91:2-4 and Psalms 37:3-5 are a few examples.
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
(Psalms 37:3-5)
Misplaced trust hurts. Impacting our daily life, broken trust leads to being unable to lean on others and severed relationships.
“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
(Proverbs 31:12)
Ladies are we efficient and bring about or produce honorable days? To do good, means we are first, in action. Second, the good. Whether we are referring to worthy, respectable, dependable, reliable, right, moral, honest, just, skilled, generous, and etc. Each day we make millions of choices. Our choices are a reflection of our hearts and lives. As we decide how we will handle all that life throws at us each day, we are displaying our character. Is it virtuous? Or as the latter portion of the verse, evil. So many situations can be discussed on this topic, but the key is to identify the difference between good and best or more virtuous? Titus 2:3-5, & V7-9 can help us with that.
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.“
(Titus 2:3-5)
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;“
(Titus 2:7-9)
A Godly wife and woman with be a help, will strive for understanding, meet the needs of others, honor those of whom God has placed in our lives, allow others to lead us, be submissive, do good works, have a speech that is pleasing to God, honest, and invest in her relationships. Ladies what are we investing in day to day? Do we consciously decide to do “good things” for our husbands and others throughout our day to make the most of each relationship and day? Married ladies, that should be to our husbands. Yes, this applies to all investments into all of our relationships. But to be virtuous it doesn’t say as a mother or to a child, but her husband. If you are not married yet, your parents are great practice and you’ll enjoy that close relationship the rest of your life. Invest!
Look for: A Virtuous Woman, A Proverbs 31 Woman in Today’s Modern World (Part 2 of 5)
A Virtuous Woman Applies God’s Word to Her Life
In the meantime, let us put this into the modern day woman’s life. Ladies, each day this week, I challenge you to listen. I mean really listen. First, pray for your relationship and spouse. Begin to pray daily for each relationship and your heart. Trust God to do a work in your relationship that sparks more love, no matter how your relationship is currently. Second, look to see if you can see AND meet a need of your husbands before he even asks. Whether you wash and set out his clothes, grab him a refill on his coffee or give him a back rub after a rough day at work; look for some way to invest in your relationship before you are asked. (Yes, even you amazing ladies; find a new thing to add to your “spoiling my husband” list!) Unmarried young lady, do the same for your parents. Invest by meeting a need before you are asked. Third, spoil your husband with something special. Unmarried ladies, spoil your parents. It does not have to cost something. Make a favorite meal, cookie or treat. Find something out of the ordinary to bless and “spoil” your loved one. Ladies, let us put God’s word into action and be virtuous wives to our husbands.
Happy Homemaking! God is Good!