A Virtuous Woman (Prov. 31 Series)

I’ve heard the cry of many women who have looked at the illustration and definition of a woman that Solomon makes in his book of Proverbs. Many lament that fact that the woman just doesn’t exist and is an impossibility to even try to imitate it in our modern day.

Being the radical that I am, I began to ask the questions. Why is it in the Bible if it was meant for nothing? Why is it in there if it is an impossibility? What makes that woman unreachable? Why do we feel like we can’t add up to the character traits of that woman?

So as I began to study and ask God for some answers, I would like to encourage each of you to reconsider and see what it really is that God and Solomon are trying to say here. Let’s look at the meaning of words, lets pick it apart and find out what it really is that we, as women, are to be. Men, you can listen in, because you become involved as well.

“Who can find a virtuous woman?” (vs. 10)

So the man had an idea of what a virtuous woman was and wanted to find one. The man that had 700 wives was still looking for a virtuous woman? How sad that is. I notice right away that he didn’t say a perfect woman, because there is no such thing. A perfect man can’t be found either. So knowing that brings hope to each of us.

So let’s get a description of what this woman was like just by the very adjective Solomon uses to describe her.

Virtuous.

I always thought this meant sinless, perfect, pure and clean. A calm and meek woman that never raised her voice and always moved in a calm intentional manner. I knew I wasn’t that kind of woman. It was an impossibility if that is what we picture virtuous to be. We cannot measure up to that because that isn’t what that word means in this context at all. I went on a word study with this.

The very first meaning I found was, “probably a force.” Well, I’ll say!! We sure can be that!

It continued, “Probably a force, whether of men, means, or other sources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.”

Are you starting to get a different picture than what I had first imagined? There is nothing weak about this ‘virtuous’ woman at all! She is a force to be reckoned with, one of strength and valor! This word was used to describe an army preparing to go to war.

This is a woman you don’t want to be against, but an ally on your side!

This woman is described as having strength, might, ability, and efficiency.

When I read this definition, I was reminded of Deborah, judge of Israel, and her strength of character as she took her position seriously under God. I would say that she was a great example of a ‘virtuous’ woman. Read all about her in Judges 4.

So as we continue, we will be looking at the character traits of this woman and seeing what God has for us. We know that we are nothing without God, so our first step in this direction is to put ourselves into His hands and ask Him for wisdom in being a woman of character and valor. One that will have strength, abilities, and efficiency in our very being.

Let’s get back to the very basics and the root of things. Let’s find out what God really says about us and why our roles are so important to make a force to be reckoned with. It truly is a relationship working with each other to be effective in the Lord’s work.