Proverbs 31

Last night at church, one of my favorite people spoke to the young adult class about Proverbs 31. If you were raised in church, or have been in church for any length of time, you've most likely heard all about being a Proverbs 31 Woman. More often than not, the Proverbs 31 Woman is considered to be perfect.  She cooks, she cleans, she works in the field, she sews, she has babies, she sells trades, she gives to the poor, I mean hello; she's the original Superwoman! However, perfect is far from the truth of this passage. As you probably already know, NO one is perfect except God and He wouldn't set us up for failure.

Proverbs 31:10-31

{NKJV}

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.


While it may seem after reading that passage that we all need to strive to be the "perfect" Proverbs 31 Woman, rest assured that is not the case! God didn't call us all to sew, to cook every meal flawlessly, or to be Farmer Jane. (thank goodness!) He does however, call us to fear God, love Him deeply and passionately, to trust, and to be submissive, just like the Proverbs 31 Woman. Her relationship with God came before anything else in her life. She put God first and foremost and that made the rest of her life thrive!

Personally, I wouldn't make the cut if I was supposed to be the perceived "perfect" Proverbs 31 Woman. I burn instant mashed potatoes, I'd sew my fingers together before I could get a button put back in place, and I don't think I could make something grow if my life depended on it! But, because of His grace, I can strive to be a submissive, God-fearing woman and to keep Him first in my life. God has never asked anyone to do something that was impossible. A task may seem impossible in our own strength, but as Matthew 19:26 says, "with God all things are possible." And that includes being a "Proverbs 31 Woman." Not perfect by any means, but simply a woman of God, who keeps her focus on Him.

Happy Thursday!

XoXo

-AK