Since this is a "Ask a guy" post (I put it on this section since I have only read it on men's profile of "looking for that Proverbs 31 kind of woman"). Okay then.. Before we go on, let's read what Proverbs of 31 is:
31:1 These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
31:2 "You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
31:3 Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings.
31:4 Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
31:5 When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
31:6 Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
31:7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
31:8 "Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
31:9 Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
31:10 How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
31:11 Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
31:12 As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
31:13 She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
31:14 She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
31:15 She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant girls what to do.
31:16 She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
31:17 She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
31:18 She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
31:19 She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
31:20 She is generous to the poor and needy.
31:21 She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
31:22 She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
31:23 Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
31:24 She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
31:25 She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
31:26 She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
31:27 She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
31:28 Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
31:29 He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all."
31:30 Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the LORD should be praised.
31:31 Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
Lets' mention names here. I think Mary the mother of Jesus should be categorized as one, let's take her for an example. She was the woman of God's grace, the only woman who had the privilege of having Jesus in her womb wow the one and only, so along the history, she is the only one and people would never mention other name.
Over the verses, I have not done too many researches on what happened on the time the chapter was written, so the only fact I knew was the verse 23, since we all do know Joseph through the Bible. In my opinion, if Joseph did was well known and one of the leading citizens, then Jesus would not be born in a manger? If i was one of the leading citizens, then i would not want my child to be born in a manger, I believe that even if it was time for Mary to give birth, but at least they could do better than a manger? Even there was nobody recorded in the Bible to give birth in a manger?
Another verse of 24, did Mary make clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants? Again, I do not put any research here, so I have no idea of what Mary exactly did while she was here on earth. Maybe she did make clothes and belts and sell them to merchants, maybe not.
I am not saying that God's words are false, God's words is yes and amen, truly it is Jesus Himself. I am just trying to say that sometimes God's Words are parable and implicitly, not literally. For example, verse 24, if a woman did not make clothes and belts and sell it to merchants, then she is not fulfilling the Proverbs 31? Another example, Mother Theresa, she did not do the Proverbs 31:24 but she could be categorized as one of the most wanted wife (if she was not a nun). So, I mean, Proverbs 31 should be mean more than just the literal.
Since it does not have literal meaning, would you guys kindly explain what it means? Especially for you guys who wrote that you guys are looking for that Proverbs 31 kind of woman?
Plus, what is being wise in your point of view? - Sisters, you may answer this question as well if you do not mind sharing your thoughts ;)
The reason I put this topic up is, well I have to lead the topic about "wisdom" in the sharing group next week (just being told about it was my turn to share today, was a little panic of not too expert on the topic so opinions on this topic would help me alot) and I barely have ideas on that, never share that before, plus there was one point I should share in the topic about "the wisdom of the wife", I was thinking why I did not share it here lol so, if you have anything in mind and you turn out to be reading this post, please do write whatever you have in mind, I would really appreciate it. More opinions the better for me to share it next week hehe.. Thanks before. God bless.
I've never met anyone who I think it completely a Proverbs 31 woman either, and I know that NON Of us are superhuman.
I do wish to add to everything I've already said on this topic that there are several things we need to keep in mind:
1. This woman had servants to help out around the house, so she wasn't 100% in charge of cooking, cleaning, etc. probably.
2. This woman was probably not a young mother. For her children to rise up and call her blessed, we know that they are likely not young children. She is probably past the point where she has infants/toddlers/preschoolers underfoot. Her children are probably fairly self-sufficient.
3. This EXAMPLE of a woman may be someone who has been married for 10+ years. In other words, this is not a snapshot of the 1st year of marriage or the first year of motherhood. It is an overview of the types of things she has done throughout her time as a wife and mother. I don't believe that it's a checklist of what she does every single day.
We all go through seasons of life and there are so many factors to consider when deciding what to do with our time. What stand out to me about the Proverbs 31 woman, though, is that she is not selfish with her time. She is doing the Lord's works v. indulging in entertainment and other pleasures. And I'm not saying that I think those things are wrong, but I do think that many of us (myself included) could prioritize better.
This is where wisdom really comes into play. A married couple (or a single woman seeking to become married) should spend some time meditating on the section of Proverbs 31 and pray about how God would have her personally carry these things out. There are thousands of things (good things even!) that we could do every day, but the Lord doesn't call us each to do individually do all of those things.
