I have been going on a lot lately about the "Proverbs 31" woman. But, what does this scripture really tell us wives to be like?
Here is my interpretation of it, line by line...
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
How true is this?! A noble wife is hard to find these days.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
Her husband can trust her and since she has never let him down, she is valued.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
John Wesley, the founder of the United Methodist Movement, came up with three simple rules for Christian living. They are: Do no harm, do good, and honor God. This part of scripture reminds me of that. To do no harm to her husband. Doing no harm by remaining faithful to him, by caring for his children, by respecting his household, and by honoring him.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
The noble wife selects, (rather than "gets" or "pulls") wool and flax for her family. She is a mindful shopper and carefully picks what she thinks is best for her family. And she works with eager hands. She is eager to get the household duties completed, rather than dreading to get it done.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
A noble wife goes the distant in selecting quality goods for her household. She doesn't shop where it is convenient for her, she shops where the quality is the greatest. (I sort of think of this as going to the closest corner market when you are out of milk, and at the little market you have to buy only a half gallon because that's all they have, and it is the same price at as a full gallon from a grocery store just a few more blocks down - a noble wife takes time to be mindful when shopping for food [or I guess even going to a fast food place for dinner instead of taking time to shop for a dinner to be prepared at home.)
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
The noble wife gets up before everyone else to prep for the day and begins making her family meals for the day as well. Also, from her family's own food supply she takes portions out to feed her underlings. And, true, we don't have "underlings" or servants any more, but what is interesting to note here is that the servants are fed the same food as the family and the wife is the one who prepares it for them. So, in this passage, no household duty is too good for the wife to complete. As she serves her servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
The noble wife is a business woman. She herself sets out to purchase something and does it. And she doesn't just stop there, she grows her business by planting a vineyard which will bring in even more income to the household. And through her field and vineyard she provides the freshest food for her family.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
The noble wife goes about her work with diligence and does not slack off in her work. She completes projects 100% and her body is physically able to help her make that possible.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
Her business is so successful that while she rests at night it still continues on and brings in income even while she sleeps. This is of course true if she is a field owner, as the crops continue to grow even at night. But really it applies to all types of work and that she doesn't have to find new work each day to bring in income but instead has a steady and stable career.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She knows how to use tools properly for work.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
A noble wife cares for the lowly among us. Think about it. When you "open your arms" to the poor you are hugging them, comforting them. And when you are "extending your hands" to the needy you are reaching out and giving them things.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She is prepared for any weather, any storm, because her house is in good repair, her pantry is stocked with quality foods, and her family has warm clothing.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
The noble wife is able to sew and decorates her household with things which she has made. She also dresses nicely and presents herself in a royal (purple) manner.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
The noble wife selected marrying a fine husband. One that is respected around town and works in high regard. (Notice here that the husband works outside of the home, eventhough he could just stay at home and help his wife manage the home business that she created.)
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
The noble wife brings in more than one source of income to her household. But, take note that every business that she has, is centered at home. Her vineyard is an extention of land adjacent from her home and her sewing business is centered at home too. She rarely goes outside of the household to complete her work (sell the items) so that her main focus is always centered around her household.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She is of noble character and since she brings in several sources of income to her household (and her husband does as well) she looks forward to the future. (Her financial planning is set.)
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
The noble wife speaks only of wisdom, faith, and instruction. She doesn't waste her breath on gossip, slander, or ill words. When she speaks, she speaks with meaning.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She is always watching over the household duties (both of chores and of the home businesses) and does not grow lazy in her many duties and keeps on top of everything.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
Her children honor her.
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
And, so does her husband. He also takes note that his wife is tops.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
To learn more about the Proverbs 31 wife, be sure to visit the website, www.proverbs31.org!
