Print this pageWho Can Find a Virtuous Woman?
Elder Michael Green, Jr.
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
I am thankful for women of virtue. In Proverbs 31, King Solomon writes of their rarity. We are living in a culture that has minimized, and in many instances ridiculed Biblical femininity. The popular philosophy of today has bought into the feministic idea that women who choose marriage and desire to raise children are missing out on an opportunity to be successful. Women who choose to stay home, train up their children, and be keepers of their home are often relegated to the class of second hand citizens. Many think that these women are `missing out' on the benefits of success in the workforce and the accolades of others around them. They are often thought of as being op
pressed and miserable creatures. However, the Bible paints a different picture of those who choose to dedicate their lives to the betterment of their families.
The word virtuous in our opening verse means a woman of strength and valor. It describes a woman as being a force and power. This is quite a contrast to the vocabulary that the mainstream world would use to describe one who chooses the route of Biblical femininity. Women of virtue possess great power and influence. Solomon writes of her rarity and value. Why is she so valuable? She wields influence not only in her own household, but also in her community and nation.
What are some of the characteristics of a woman of virtue? First, she has a wonderful loving and trusting relationship with her husband and family. In Proverbs 31:11-12 Solomon writes, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Their relationship is at such a level that the woman of virtue is all her husband needs or desires. Her desire is to do good things for him and he reciprocates by making her the center of his universe. The husband need not engross himself in activities outside of his household (spoil), because his wife does him well all of their days.
In verse 28 Solomon writes, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Why are her children and husband praising her? Let us observe the actions of the virtuous woman. They praise her because she is a worker in the home (v. 13). She provides the sustenance that they need to survive (v. 14-15). She is also a savvy businesswoman and makes investments that are beneficial to her household (v. 16, 24). She is an example of hard work, diligence and persistence (v. 17-19, 27). She also has an attitude of charity and looks to the needs of others (v. 20, 26). She excels in all of the above actions to such a degree that her family praises her. They call her blessed and realize that they are dependent upon her for their survival. The woman of virtue indeed is a force!
As Solomon ends Proverbs 31 he writes, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." In this verse praise literally means to shine. In II Timothy 1:5 the Apostle Paul praised the young preacher Timothy's mother and grandmother for their Godly example that was passed down to their son. If you read the biographies of many of our forefathers you will find that they attribute much of their success to mothers who adhered to the virtuous pattern outlined in Proverbs 31. William Ross Wallace penned the words, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." This old adage continues to ring true today. Are you shining as a Godly wife and mother?
Can it be possible that many of our modern-day societal problems could be lessened if America's women heeded the example of Proverbs 31 and other Biblical teachings to guide their roles and responsibilities as wives/mothers? I am thankful for those women who have chosen this standard. I salute you and pray that God will continue to bless your journey. I encourage those that are seeking the will of the Lord to consider what the Bible says about the role of wives and mothers. May God bless you all on this Mother's Day weekend!