Topic No. 7 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version)

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^{10 [a]}A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ 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.

Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

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This poem is designed to show what type of woman you ought to be:

• Noble
• Priceless in your family's eyes
• Trustworthy
• Giving
• Hard-working
• Helps provide financially to the household's income
• Wakes early and is not lazy
• Business-minded
• Physically fit
• Helps those in need in her community
• Doesn't fear hard times
• Provides all her children and servants require
• Dresses nicely (not a slob)
• Has a respected husband
• Her children respect her
• Dignified & well-mannered
• Wise
• Knowledgeable
• Teaches her children to be respectful
• Trains up her children to love the Lord
• Holds her tongue
• Is never idle but is always busy looking after the affairs of her household
• Fears the Lord

How many hours per day do you sit in front of your television compared to the number of hours per day you take care of your home and your children and your husband?  If you have a hobby, is your hobby taking up more time than you are devoting to your home?  When people come over to your house to visit, do they see a woman who takes care of her home and keeps it tidy and clean?  Or do they see a woman who struggles to maintain order and cleanliness?  Would your husband say that you are all of those qualities listed above?  If he would not, what areas do you feel he would disagree with, and why?  If your life were put side-by-side to the woman spoken of in these above verses, would you feel that you are basically a good representation of a godly, biblical woman/wife of noble character, or do you fall short in being a godly, biblical representation of a woman of noble character?

Please keep in mind that a woman may suffer from some physical or emotional problems that may prevent her from being and doing all of these things listed above.  My point is:  Are you doing all that you can?

Questions and Answers to Share with your KOTH partner:

1. Have you ever read this chapter in your bible?
2. What strikes you or impresses upon you in respect to this chapter in the bible?
3. Out of all of the characteristics listed above, which ones do you struggle with or disagree with?
4. If you struggle or disagree with the above-noted characteristics of a Wife of Noble Character, why?
5. Which characteristics listed above do you need to bring before the Lord in order that He may help you become a Wife of Noble Character?