Proverbs 31 is such a rich text, full of beautiful and profound verses... But what exactly does it mean when "she girdeth her loins" or "hold the distaff"? Let's not skim over any verse, because the Lord placed each one here for a reason. Here, we'll to take a closer look, become closer to our Lord, and take one more step towards becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Right from the beginning, the Lord tells us so much about this woman. Not only is she a rarity, but she is far more precious than any rare gem. Here, "virtuous" refers to her strength of character. Her moral standing and inner beauty makes her stand out above all the rest.
Right from the beginning, the Lord tells us so much about this woman. Not only is she a rarity, but she is far more precious than any rare gem. Here, "virtuous" refers to her strength of character. Her moral standing and inner beauty makes her stand out above all the rest.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Being trustworthy and dependable are some of the core foundations of a strong, well protected, and God-honoring marriage. This verse also points out that she runs her home so well, that she is profitable to her home--so much so, her family is not in need of any spoils from battle! Her husband can trust that she is not a liability to the household.
Being trustworthy and dependable are some of the core foundations of a strong, well protected, and God-honoring marriage. This verse also points out that she runs her home so well, that she is profitable to her home--so much so, her family is not in need of any spoils from battle! Her husband can trust that she is not a liability to the household.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Prov. 18:22 says "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing," but alternatively, Prov. 21:19 says "It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman." We may laugh at this fretful woman whose husband dreams of being away from her, even if it's to a scorching desert, but this is quite a serious matter! The woman in verse 12 is a nonstop blessing and benefit to her husband. She wants God's best for him, and her actions reflect so, every day of her life.
Prov. 18:22 says "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing," but alternatively, Prov. 21:19 says "It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman." We may laugh at this fretful woman whose husband dreams of being away from her, even if it's to a scorching desert, but this is quite a serious matter! The woman in verse 12 is a nonstop blessing and benefit to her husband. She wants God's best for him, and her actions reflect so, every day of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Here, we see her carefully and diligently selecting materials for her family. She also works "willingly", referring to "delight" and "pleasure". It is her desire and gratification to work with her hands, and meeting the needs for her family.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Now, we see this woman being paralleled to "merchants' ships." These merchants would buy, sell, and trade things for profit. She was such an asset! She also kept her menu varied with "foods from afar".
Here, we see her carefully and diligently selecting materials for her family. She also works "willingly", referring to "delight" and "pleasure". It is her desire and gratification to work with her hands, and meeting the needs for her family.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Now, we see this woman being paralleled to "merchants' ships." These merchants would buy, sell, and trade things for profit. She was such an asset! She also kept her menu varied with "foods from afar".
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Mark 1:35 says "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Just as our Lord, she was up before sunrise, preparing for the day ahead. The solitude of the predawn hours gave her what she needed to collect herself and get everything ready. She also had a hot, homemade breakfast ready each morning for her family. She even fed her attendants breakfast, too!
Mark 1:35 says "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Just as our Lord, she was up before sunrise, preparing for the day ahead. The solitude of the predawn hours gave her what she needed to collect herself and get everything ready. She also had a hot, homemade breakfast ready each morning for her family. She even fed her attendants breakfast, too!
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She "considereth" or thoughtfully considers and thoroughly examines the situation--no hasty decisions. Then after her careful attention to every detail, she makes the decision to go ahead and purchase the field, no doubt with the blessing of her husband (vs. 11-12). Her choice is profitable and in the best interest of her family. She knows the work it will take, and joyfully (vs. 13) puts in the effort for the "fruitful" reward. : )
She "considereth" or thoughtfully considers and thoroughly examines the situation--no hasty decisions. Then after her careful attention to every detail, she makes the decision to go ahead and purchase the field, no doubt with the blessing of her husband (vs. 11-12). Her choice is profitable and in the best interest of her family. She knows the work it will take, and joyfully (vs. 13) puts in the effort for the "fruitful" reward. : )
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
The "loins" are regarded as the seat of strength (see 1 Kings 12:10; Nahum 2:1) She is not afraid to work hard and do what it takes to get the job done. She isn't lazy, but rather willing to strengthen her arms and persevere. She doesn't make excuses, she is diligent!
The "loins" are regarded as the seat of strength (see 1 Kings 12:10; Nahum 2:1) She is not afraid to work hard and do what it takes to get the job done. She isn't lazy, but rather willing to strengthen her arms and persevere. She doesn't make excuses, she is diligent!
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
The word "perceiveth" is the Hebrew word that means "taste." Vs. 16 talks about her planting a vineyard, so we can safely assume that whatever she grew, she literally tasted of it and it was good. Not only is she diligent in the day, but also at night! She does not squander her time, realizing how precious it is. Do we spend our time wisely? Is it spent on the temporal or eternal? She was a good steward of ALL that the Lord had given her.
The word "perceiveth" is the Hebrew word that means "taste." Vs. 16 talks about her planting a vineyard, so we can safely assume that whatever she grew, she literally tasted of it and it was good. Not only is she diligent in the day, but also at night! She does not squander her time, realizing how precious it is. Do we spend our time wisely? Is it spent on the temporal or eternal? She was a good steward of ALL that the Lord had given her.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
This verse talks about a very ancient method of spinning wool. The spindle and distaff are the oldest of all instruments used in this craft. She labored in making thread so that she could properly clothe her household. Do you get the distinct impression that her hands were never idle? :-)
This verse talks about a very ancient method of spinning wool. The spindle and distaff are the oldest of all instruments used in this craft. She labored in making thread so that she could properly clothe her household. Do you get the distinct impression that her hands were never idle? :-)
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
A selfLESS person will notice the needs of others and do something about it, a selfish person only notices their own needs. She showed compassion and mercy to the less fortunate and did what she could to help. These verses are evidence that she had a love for others.
A selfLESS person will notice the needs of others and do something about it, a selfish person only notices their own needs. She showed compassion and mercy to the less fortunate and did what she could to help. These verses are evidence that she had a love for others.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
There's no need to be "afraid" of the snow, when you're adequately prepared for it. She had made clothing for ALL her household, she was prepared for the cold and made sure that those around her were too.
There's no need to be "afraid" of the snow, when you're adequately prepared for it. She had made clothing for ALL her household, she was prepared for the cold and made sure that those around her were too.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Despite her many duties, she still made time for herself, to dress in fine clothing. She was not "frumpy" in her dress, but elegant and exquisite. Purple cloth was a symbol of luxury & wealth, worn only by the rich. She understood the importance of not only being beautiful on the inside, but the outside too.
Despite her many duties, she still made time for herself, to dress in fine clothing. She was not "frumpy" in her dress, but elegant and exquisite. Purple cloth was a symbol of luxury & wealth, worn only by the rich. She understood the importance of not only being beautiful on the inside, but the outside too.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
"Behind every good man is a good woman." This is such a true saying, and the verse above proves the fact that her husband was a good man, as he sat among the elders of the land! A wife can be a tremendous influence for good or for bad. We as wives MUST be careful as to what type of influence we're being. The Virtuous woman was Godly and so influenced her husband according to what was right.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She had a home-based business of making and selling fine linen, probably similar to the beautiful purple tapestry she wore. This woman had savvy, and provided an additional income for her family.
She had a home-based business of making and selling fine linen, probably similar to the beautiful purple tapestry she wore. This woman had savvy, and provided an additional income for her family.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
The garments of "strength and honour" cannot be bought, they are given by the Lord. She had a personal relationship with her Saviour and through it, attained these. The future held no worry for her, but rather she rejoiced in it! She trusted and took comfort in the fact that her God was in control.
The garments of "strength and honour" cannot be bought, they are given by the Lord. She had a personal relationship with her Saviour and through it, attained these. The future held no worry for her, but rather she rejoiced in it! She trusted and took comfort in the fact that her God was in control.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
The tongue is such a dangerous "member" of the body. Such a small part, but can do lasting damage. It is what reveals what's truly in our heart "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" She did not speak before she thought, she opened her mouth with wisdom, having already planned what she was going to say. She spoke from a heart of kindness & love.
The tongue is such a dangerous "member" of the body. Such a small part, but can do lasting damage. It is what reveals what's truly in our heart "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" She did not speak before she thought, she opened her mouth with wisdom, having already planned what she was going to say. She spoke from a heart of kindness & love.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
This woman was a planner, always thinking about what needed to be done and looking for ways to take care of her household. Always discerning, she made sure to protect her family. A Godly woman is alert and aware of what is going on, not idle, but quick to keep tabs on everyone, for their own good.
This woman was a planner, always thinking about what needed to be done and looking for ways to take care of her household. Always discerning, she made sure to protect her family. A Godly woman is alert and aware of what is going on, not idle, but quick to keep tabs on everyone, for their own good.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
She has noticeably invested herself into the things that are most pleasing to God. Godliness & happiness go together, and wouldn't you say that a blessed person is generally happy?
She has noticeably invested herself into the things that are most pleasing to God. Godliness & happiness go together, and wouldn't you say that a blessed person is generally happy?
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
This woman had strength of character like no other. The Bible says that she "excellest them all". Oh that this could be said of us!
This woman had strength of character like no other. The Bible says that she "excellest them all". Oh that this could be said of us!
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
The world puts so much weight on the outer appearance, but the Lord trieth the hearts. Our beauty should come from within and be Christ-centered. When our heart is correct before God, we will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
The world puts so much weight on the outer appearance, but the Lord trieth the hearts. Our beauty should come from within and be Christ-centered. When our heart is correct before God, we will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
You can't out-give the Lord! This woman worked hard and was greatly rewarded for her strength of character and willingness to look well to the ways of her household.
