A Proverbs 31 Woman

Tis passage is one I personally aspire to live out if I ever marry, and even if I don’t, it still apples to a single woman working for the Lord. It is the kind of woman my mother was and it is who God calls us to be as women.

“An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Proverbs 31:10

The series of verses starts out with this. A good wife is precious, and she is worth so much to her husband. She is more valuable than she can imagine.

The next verse states that her husband trusts in her.  He knows he doesn’t have to worry about her faithfulness or trustworthiness. He knows he can believe in her. It also says he will have “no lack of gain” because of this.

Being trustworthy is vital to having good relationships, whether you are single or married. Your friendships will thrive if you they know they can trust you. Your marriage will be much steadier if your husband knows that you are honest with him.

The next few verses speak of a woman that works hard. It says she does her husband good all of the days of her life. It says she rises while it is still night to provide for her household. It talks of her buying a field and seeding it to become a vineyard.

The Proverbs 31 women has an incredible work ethic, and she uses that to take care of her family. She gets up early to give them what they need and she is willing to do what she must to complete this duty.

“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong” Proverbs 31:17

This woman is not a pushover. She is strong and uses that to the betterment of those she loves.

In verses 20-21 we see how caring of a woman she is. It speaks of her opening her hands to the poor and the needy. She will help those who need it and won’t just walk past. It also speaks of her not worrying for snow for her family, because she already has them clothed for it. She made sure she was prepared in advance for what she knew was coming.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26

There is so much in these two verses. It hits on many of the points the passage has already made. This woman is wise, dignified, strong and kind. She is not afraid of the future because she knows who holds it and is prepared for it.  

All these verses lead up to what I believe to be the so-called thesis of the passage; verse 30.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

This is the one most important verse in the passage. It states that, though her beauty and charm may disappear with time, if she fears God, she is still the woman she should be. This is the most important part of her character; the fear of God. This pretty much encompasses the rest of the things that she is supposed to be. If she fears the Lord, than the rest of the traits she should have will develop with time and patience.

This is the woman I would like to be someday. I’m not saying I am there, or even close, but I hope to be someday through the grace of God.

God bless.