What is a Proverbs 31 woman?

    

    When reading scripture, one might experience several different emotions. Some might feel redemption, while others will feel convicted. Nine out of ten times conviction, embarrassment, and shame are all that I feel, because I realize that I'm not as good as I think I am. I am human and I have my faults.

    When I got engaged on May 11th of last year, my sister gave me a book that she had been reading called, The Fruitful Wife by Hayley Morgan. In her book, she talks about the Fruit of the Spirit and how to keep them. I will be completely honest, that book really made me understand that I have not been being a good or even decent partner to my then future husband. It laid it out and shifted my whole view of my relationship and it also helped me better understand my purpose as a helpmate. I will go into more detail in another post.

    Another thing that really helped me was reading Proverbs 31. I had no clue that this passage even existed and I was raised a christian! If you have never read this passage before you might be a bit shocked, since it seems like a laundry list of requirements that a christian wife must abide by. However, if you go to Proverbs 1:1-4 you will find out the purpose of not only Proverbs 31, but the entire book of Proverbs.

    It reads: 

                      "The purpose of Proverbs

                      These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, King of Israel.

                      Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, 

                      Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful

                      lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

                      These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and 

                      discernment to the young. Proverbs 1:1-4" NLT

                      
    It becomes clear that Proverbs 31 isn't a description of a noble wife, but a set of principles held by one. Now is every woman supposed to spin wool and flax or make her own bedspreads? Definetely not, but every woman should have some basic principles, such as,

1. Loving your husband 

   "Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11,12 NLT

2. Being a hardworker

    "She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from afar...She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread and her fingers twisting fiber." Proverbs 31:13,14,16-19 NLT

3. Taking care of family

    "She gets up before the dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day's work for her servant girls...She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes...She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness." Proverbs 31:15, 21, 27 NLT

4. Helping those in need

    "She extends a helping hand out to the poor and opens her arms to the needy."

Proverbs 31:20 NLT

5. Being strong and dignified

    "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31: 25 NLT

6. Being kind to others

    "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness."

Proverbs 31:26 NLT

7. Taking care of herself

    "She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns."        Proverbs 31:22

8. Fearing the LORD

    "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." Proverbs 31:31 NLT

9. Surrounding yourself with people who love you

    "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 'There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!'" Proverbs 31:28, 29 NLT

10. Letting your actions speak for you

    "Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly delcare her praise." 

Proverbs 31:31 NLT