The Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31

1. Read: Proverbs 31:10

2. About the Text:

1) God sets the standard for our behavior for both men and women.

2) He does not play favorites but demands righteousness from everyone (Acts 10:34-35).

3) In Proverbs 31, we have God’s ideal for a virtuous woman.

4) We do not teach this to pit one sex against another.

5) We set forth these things to let God speak regarding how He made us.

6) Let’s focus on God’s teaching about the virtuous woman this morning.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Virtue

1) Virtue is moral excellence.

2) Value – “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (10).

3) Self Respect – “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (25).

4) Excellence – “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all” (29).

2. Charity

1) In Giving – “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy” (20).

2) In feeding her own – “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens” (15).

3) In her words – “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (26).

3. Consequences

1) Trust of her husband – “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (11).

2) Her own works speak – “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (31).

1. Preparation

1) She is strong – “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms” (17).

2) She prepares for the future – “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (25).

2. Diligence

1) Works with her hands – “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands” (13).

2) Stays up late – “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night” (18).

3) Makes materials – “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff” (19).

4) Makes clothing – “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple” (22)

5) Not idle – “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (27).

3. Providence

1) Cooks food for her household – “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens” (15). – industry/providence

2) Makes sure children are warm – “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet” (21).

3) Oversees the household – “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (27).

4. Management

1) Goes above and beyond – “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar” (14).

2) Engages in horticulture – “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard” (16).

3) Engages in commerce – “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant” (24).

1. Neighbors

1) She loves her neighbors as herself – Leviticus 19:18.

2) Supports her community – “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land” (23).

3) Gives wisdom to friends – “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (26).

2. Family

1) Husband – “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (11).

2) Husband – “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” (12).

3) Children – “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (27).

4) Family – “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her” (28).

3. God

1) Fears the Lord – “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (30).

2) “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: ??Fear God and keep His commandments, ??For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

1. The virtuous woman pursues . . .

1) Morals

2) Industry

3) Relationships

2. Invitation