We all have probably heard about the Proverbs 31 woman. She is superwoman, perfect, amazing, a role model and someone we should all try to emulate. We all know that but have we taken the time to actually investigate what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like? Or do we have this vague idea of who she is but we don’t really want to go there because from the little we do know there is just no hope that we can ever live up to that standard?
I know that is how I felt. I had heard bits and pieces about her and that she cooks exotic meals, cleans, clothes her family, runs a business, feeds her servants and a whole host of other things. So I decided that I would delve into this famous chapter and seek God’s face to find out what exactly He is asking of us as woman of God.
And what I found has blown me away. It has left me with my hands raised and tears on my cheeks, just more and more overwhelmed with love and adoration for our God.
So let’s dive right in.
The Proverb is all about what a capable, intelligent and virtuous woman is like and that she is far more precious than jewels, rubies and pearls. (verse 10) It then goes on to list all that she does. So it stands to reason that in order to be a virtuous woman of value I should meet this list of requirements. Is this even possible and are we not getting into works here in order to earn value? Let’s read on…
I started my research with verse 22 for no other reason than it stood out to me.
“She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.” (NKJV)
I really enjoy reading the Amplified as it gives more detail on certain words and phrases and this is what it says:
“She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].” (AMP)
Can you make coverlets, cushions and rugs of tapestry? I can sew a bit but I’m not that great with cushions and certainly do not know how to make tapestry rugs. Does this now mean I am not a woman of virtue and high value? Is God saying I need to learn these skills to be virtuous? I think not.
What are cushions, coverlets and rugs? Furnishings that make a house a home. They are beautiful, soft and comfortable. So I think the questions to ask yourself here are: Is your home comfortable? Does it make your husband’s heart glad when he comes home and relaxes on the sofa? Do your children love their bedrooms and thrive in the space that you have created for your family to live in? Is it pretty neat and orderly? Is it clean? Is it a home?
So you might be a single lady with no family that you live with. The same questions still apply. Is your heart glad when you relax at home? Do you thrive in the space you have created? Is it pretty neat and orderly? Is it clean? Is it a home?
If you can answer yes to those questions then you have created a home out of a house and you check off that item on the to do list.
Next up is part B of the verse which got me so excited!
“Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].”
Let’s head over to Revelation 19:8 to find out a bit more about what linen signifies.
“She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people).”
So a virtuous woman wears fine linen which is the righteousness of God’s holy people! So this has nothing to do with how I dress! As a woman of virtue I need to clothe myself in righteousness. And how exactly do I do that?
The answer can be found in Isaiah 61:10-11
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].”
I don’t clothe myself. He, my God, my King, the All Sufficient One clothes me!!!! He places the garments of salvation on me and places the robe of righteousness on my shoulders.
Her clothing is purple. Purple was the most expensive dye that could be bought and was therefore only worn by royalty and those who were extremely wealthy. It was also worn by priests and used for holy cloths in the temple.
When you put all of this together my God clothes me with the absolute best, the garments of highest value that are reserved for royalty and priests. It is through Him that I am a woman of virtue.
Go now and be blessed. Allow the King of Kings to dress you and live upright before your God.
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
