A Modern Day Woman

I always forget that Proverbs 31 holds more than "The Wife of Noble Character" passage. There are nine verses preceding it that are words of wisdom from a king's mother. The last two verses struck me strongly. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Prov. 31:8-9). I have been considering such ideas quite a bit lately. It seems to me that we need to follow Jesus. He spent time with the misfits and outcasts of society, with the poor. He told them that they were the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). We need to recognize the value of all people, regardless of their financial status.

Now...this ideal to which women ought to aspire. Quite frankly, I used to resent Proverbs 31:10-31. That's a tall order! "Her lamp does not go out at night"? (v. 18). She works constantly, and yet she's still dressed in beautiful clothes and looks great. Yeah, right! But as I have matured and really thought about this passage, I have begun to realize that many, many women follow in this woman's footsteps. She does work hard, but she is also wise. "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard" (Prov. 31:16). Okay, so where did she get the money to buy the field? Well, she works for it: "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes" (Prov. 31:24). One of the mistakes that Christians make is that it is believed a woman should downplay her beauty and not accent it. No! She makes clothes for a living, and they're nice ones, too. Also, she's making good money from her clothing business and her vineyard (gosh, I'd love to see it), so "she makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple" (Prov. 31:22). In those days, purple dye came from shellfish that were rather rare. So purple clothing was a sign of wealth.

But she does not indulge herself at the expense of others or of her own character. "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy" (Prov. 31:20). She also takes care of her own household and takes care of her servants. To make a parallel to our society, a wise woman takes care of those who take care of her, whether it's the people who do her drycleaning and bag her groceries, or who are her employees.

She also realizes that "charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Prov. 31:30). "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come" (Prov. 31:25). And what about her words? Does she gossip or speak ill of others? "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" (Prov. 31:26).

So, what is her husband up to? I believe he is "respected at the city gate" (Prov. 31:23) partly because of her. Also, "he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all'" (Prov. 31:28b-29). He acknowledges her and compliments her. And he doesn't do it just at home to her. Verse 31 says, "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." I think her husband brags about her to his buddies. Plus, the city leaders probably recognize her work for the poor.

Is it such a tall order? I don't think so. It's simply a woman following God's call on her life. And when that's your objective, God gives you His strength to accomplish it.