Becoming God's Woman...

The Proverbs 31 Woman is very often seen as God’s perfect woman. There are usually sermons about her on Mother’s Day and she is praised in anniversary cards. She is held up as an example for all women to aspire to. This woman seems so perfect, how can we possibly hope to compare ourselves favorably. We do not have her wealth, power, or social standing. We do not have hundreds of servants to carry our duties.

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​There are two schools of thought on the author of this passage. Some say it is written by King Lemuel’s mother, Bathsheba, who is guiding him in selecting a good wife, (Lemuel was a pet name), while some say, it was written by King Solomon praising the virtues of his mother.
 
Is this God’s ideal? God never says he wants women to be perfect. In fact, if you read about the women who are presented in the Bible, you will see that they were perfectly imperfect.
As the average woman of today, how can we compete with this ideal?

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​We are stressed, frazzled, and tired. We have to take care of our homes and many of us also have jobs. We have to use life planners to remember everything we have to do—from dentist appointments to dance lessons. We may not have time to make our beds, much less spend relaxing time with crafts or sewing. We do good to put clean laundry away and the kids have to look for their clean socks in the clothesbasket. We argue over bills, curfews, and that boy.
 
Looking beautiful for our husbands at the end of the day does not seem nearly as important as taking off our bra and slipping into our pajama pants. (I warn you about this, Ladies. J Our “comfort clothing” can lead to unwanted weight gain. Think about it.)

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Yet, we do our best. We are Godly women and we depend on God for strength and guidance. You cannot compare yourself to this perfect woman. However, since she is found in God’s Word, we can be certain there were things that women (and men) were meant to learn about her. Let’s look at her verse by verse.

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Proverbs 10  (NASB) Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price (worth) is far above rubies.

• She is rare, as in priceless jewels
• She is pure and she gives her whole heart to her husband
• She is God’s Woman

Proverbs 11 (NASB)The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

• She is responsible and capable.
  
• She has her husband’s confidence.

 
Proverbs 12 (NASB) She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

• She is righteous
• She lets him be the head of the family and she is a willing helpmate.

 
Proverbs 13 (NASB) She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

• She is diligent and she is hard working.
• She delights in her work and she clothes her family

 
Proverbs 14 (NASB) She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

• She spends time planning and buying nourishing meals for her family

 
Proverbs 15 (NASB) She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.

• She is willing to get up early to do what she needs to do.
• She spends her time with God in the Word and in Prayer.
• She is efficient and she organizes her day and delegates responsibilities.

 
Proverbs 16 (NASB) She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings, she plants a vineyard.

• She is intelligent and she is savvy in business.
• She understands the benefits of investing time and money

 
Proverbs 17 (NASB)  She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

• She relies on God for spiritual and emotional strength.
• She takes care of her physical body and she does not shirk physical labor.

 
Proverbs 18 (NASB) She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

• She knows what needs to be done.
• She is reliable and she plans for the future.

 
Proverbs 19 (NASB) She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.

• She is not afraid to do menial work in order to provide clothing for her family.

 
Proverbs 20 (NASB) She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.

• She is warm and sympathetic; she is compassionate and kind.
• She is charitable to those less fortunate.

 
Proverbs 21 (NASB) She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

• She is caring and she makes sure her family is well cared for.
• She provides the finest clothing that she can afford for her family.

 
Proverbs 22 (NASB) She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

• She is distinguished for the care she gives her home.
• She dresses well and does not let herself go.

 
Proverbs 23  (NASB) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

• She is a compliment to her husband’s character, reputation, and success.
• She is known for the honor she brings to him.

 
Proverbs 24 (NASB) She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.

• She is creative and she knows the worth of her work.
• She uses her talents to make extra money.

 
Proverbs 25 (NASB) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.

• Or laughs at the future. She has no fear of future.
• She is strong and confident through God and places her strength and faith in him.

 
Proverbs 26 (NASB) She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

• She is wise and gracious and she does not engage in idle gossip.
• She instills God’s wisdom in her children.

 
Proverbs 27 (NASB) She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

• She lovingly oversees everything that goes on in her home.
• She is diligent and she is not afraid of hard work.

 
Proverbs 28 (NASB) Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

• She is gentle and she encourages, not discourages.
• She inspires praise.

 
Proverbs 29 (NASB) Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.

• She has served God and she has raised her children with Christian example.
• She has honored her husband and has brought honor to her household.

 
Proverbs 30 (NASB) Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

• She is comely, endearing and enduring for her grace and Godly character.
• She reveres the Lord and loves His Word.

 
Proverbs 31 (NASB) Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

• Her actions speak for themselves

 
In truth, we are just as capable of being God’s woman as an ancient Queen. Maybe, more so. We have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. She has important characteristics that we can learn from as we strive to become God’s woman.

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