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Articles
A Woman Fit for a King
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
The “Proverbs 31 Woman” has long been the standard for a godly woman. Proverbs 31 was written by King Lemuel. However, the author indicates in Proverbs 31:1 that the instruction offered in Proverbs 31 actually came from the teachings of his mother! Mommas tend to have high-expectations for their future daughter-in-law, and Proverbs 31 certainly sets the bar high. Let’s look at a few takeaways from Proverbs 31 about what it takes to be a woman of such virtue - a woman fit for a king.
A woman needs to be a blessing to her household. She must be worthy of the trust of her family (Proverbs 31:11-12). A virtuous woman provides not just for her family’s physical needs (Proverbs 31:14-15, 21), but also for their spiritual needs (Proverbs 31:26-30). Such blessing comes in a multitude of ways, from simply setting an example of kindness, to imparting timely wisdom as she carefully observes the needs of others. Earlier in Proverbs 14:1, we see quite the contrast in a woman who “tears (her house) down with her own hands.” Moms often set the tone in the house. As is often the case in life, you get what you give. A wife and mother who is a blessing to her family will find her family blessing her in return (Proverbs 31:28).
A woman needs to be willing to work (Proverbs 31:13). Being a homemaker is hard work (Proverbs 31:15)! While providing for her household is the priority (Proverbs 31:27a), the virtuous woman is also capable of earning an income of her own in Proverbs 31:16. We read that such a woman “does not eat the bread of idleness,” (Proverbs 31:27b), and that is demonstrated throughout the various activities described within the chapter.
A woman needs to help others. While her family must come first (Proverbs 31:11-12, 28), she also helps others in her life (Proverbs 31:15b). Proverbs 31:20 says “she extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.” In all of the work she is involved in, she finds time to be a blessing to others.
A woman needs to be strong in the Lord. The King James Bible calls such a woman “virtuous” in Proverbs 31:10. Sadly, society has ascribed a negative connotation to the idea of being a “virtuous” woman. They paint a picture of a Christian wife and mother as being some oppressed, timid lady who never gets to voice her opinion in her submission to her domineering husband. Make no mistake, this stereotype is far different from the actual description in Proverbs 31. The term “virtuous” (translated as “excellent” in the NASB), literally means “strength, efficiency, wealth, army.” That last one, “army,” is particularly shocking to some - unless you happen to know any virtuous women, then it makes a lot of sense! At least twice, the virtuous woman is praised for her “strength” (Proverbs 31:17, 25). This strength comes from her fear of the Lord (Proverbs 31:30). Because she fears and trusts in the Lord, she has no fear for her household (Proverbs 31:21), and “she smiles at the future” (Proverbs 31:25b).
It’s a disgrace the way modern perceptions on women and femininity have so perverted what it means to be a woman. Ladies should have no shame in being the woman God created them to be. While modern ideology encourages all manner of selfishness, you will find no tolerance of such within Proverbs 31. Selfishness is weak. Strength is found in virtue.
