An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
When I first read Proverbs 31, I was not married. I remember very well my first response to that passage: Wow. I want to be like her! This soon changed after I got married: This kind of woman doesn’t exist, and it is impossible to be a woman like how she was described. Being a wife is not easy. You have to think about meal planning, deal with the laundry, take care of the house, manage finances, pay monthly bills. When I was single, all these seems a lot easier. I can eat whatever I want to eat. Doing laundry once a week was enough, and it seemed quicker and enjoyable. Managing my money was also an easy task. Once married, these feel a lot more complicated. Dealing with these feels like another work beside my full-time job outside the home.
These have been so exhausting, let alone all the aspects mentioned in Proverbs 31. That was why I thought that being a woman as described in Proverbs 31 was impossible. But, do not be discouraged! Come on, let’s learn again.
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Overview of Proverbs 31
If we look at the first verse, it is clear that Proverbs 31 was written based on the advice of a mother to her child. “The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him.” (Proverbs 31: 1).
Who is the king of Lemuel?
There is no king of Israel (or Judah) by this name, so either he is a foreign king, or it is a pen name for the author. Many theologians believe that King Lemuel is the poetic name of King Solomon. Proverbs 31 contains a mother’s advice to her child, in which she lists the characteristics to look for in a woman to become a wife. So we need to know that this passage is not about being a perfect woman and wife. This is not the ideal standard of a woman/wife. The female figure in Proverbs 31 is a compilation of the character, qualities, and roles of a wise woman.
A Woman Who Knows God
Now, as to whether or not it is possible to be a woman with the character described in Proverbs 31, I think it MAY be. Being a woman as in Proverbs 31 does not mean being a perfect woman who can do many things, and do them all at once. Come on, Ladies, we are not that multitasking! Being a woman in Proverbs 31 means living as a woman according to God’s will and playing our part according to God’s design. This is possible if we first know God and His will for our lives.
Charm is a lie and beauty is vain, but the wife who fears the LORD is praised.
(Proverbs 31:30)
In this day and age, where many women are busy redefining their identity and lifestyle, are we willing to live within the definition that God has set?
God-enabled women
Often we forget that we must be enabled by God to play our part and do His will. Proverbs 31 women are those who do not rely on their strength. Those who humbly acknowledge their dependence on God and accept God’s grace in their weaknesses.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
When we forget that our ability to do His will comes from God Himself, we often become perfectionists or otherwise careless.
In this day and age, where many women are busy proving themselves tough, and independent, are we willing to humbly accept God’s grace?
Dear friends, our God is great enough to enable us to be women Proverbs 31. The question is, do we want to be shaped by Him?
