The Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem about the ideal woman -- the wife of noble character.  This is a great passage to study with your daughters to teach them Biblical womanhood, and to study with your sons to teach them how to choose a good wife.  The passage lists eleven virtues of a woman of excellence.

One:  She is trustworthy to her husband (Pr 31:11).  She is honest and faithful.  He trusts her sexually, financially, and verbally.  She does not lie, or bad-mouth her husband to others.  She keeps her word, and she keeps his secrets.

Two:  She takes good care of her husband (Pr 31:11-12, 23, 26, 28).  After God, her husband comes first.  She is devoted to pleasing her husband and to making him more successful.  

Three:  She takes good care of her family.  She makes sure that her family is clothed and fed well (Pr 31:15, 21).  Her primary calling, even if she works outside the home, is homemaker.  She has a well-ordered, well-kept house, and raises well-behaved kids. "She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle (Pr 31:27)."  

Four:  She is a hard worker (Pr 31:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 27).  She is never idle; never lazy.  She is busy.  Always working, producing, fixing, preparing, cultivating, cleaning, creating, renovating, building, teaching, and serving.

Five:  She is strong -- physically and emotionally (Pr 31:17, 21, 25).  Her hard work has made her tough and capable.  Her faith in God gives her joy and peace in difficult days.  She is a rock.

Six:  She is compassionate (Pr 31:20).  As busy as she is at home, she still makes time to care for the less fortunate.

Seven:  She is financially savvy.  She is a good financial partner to her husband.  She spends her money wisely and usefully (Pr 31:16, 18, 24).  She prepares for financial hardships (Pr 31:21).

Eight:  She is skilled.  She knows cooking, sewing, real estate, agriculture, business.  She learns the skills she needs to be a highly effective homemaker.

Nine:  She makes herself physically attractive (Pr 31:22).  She knows how important this is to her husband and does what she can to please him.  

Ten:  She has a controlled tongue (Pr 31:26).  She does not nag, complain, whine, curse, gossip, criticize, or yell.  She speaks words of edification and encouragement.

Eleven:  She fears the Lord (Pr 31:30).  She has an intimate, healthy relationship with God -- her top priority.  This provides her with the wisdom, strength, and motivation to be a woman of virtue and excellence.