Women of God-Proverbs 31:10-31

By Deborah H. Bateman –

Proverbs 31 questions the reader, “Who can find a virtuous woman”? The scripture is talking about finding a wife, but so much of it reminds me of all the hats we as women wear who are wives and mothers. The scripture says her price is far above rubies. That is like something we might say today, “she is worth her weight in gold”.

How much would it cost if a man had to hire someone for all the jobs his wife does? We will look at this Scripture and compare it to our own lives. Women were created by God to be a helper to man. In this Scripture we see how versatile women are. Her husband trusts her completely and she enriches his life. The scripture says he is known in the gates, which may be partly because of his wife’s influence.

She works with her hands. Many women are talented in doing crafts, sewing and other things to enhance their homes and many of them sell these things they make with their hands to help provide income for their families. She goes out and gathers food for her family. She tries to get the best she can afford for the best price and brings it into her home and prepares it for her family.

Many times mothers are up early, before everyone else in the house getting ready for the day and preparing meals for her family. My Mother was a good cook and this is one of the things she taught us as we were growing up. I have passed the love of cooking on to my daughters. Now, I am teaching my grandchildren how to cook and prepare food for the family.

In this fast pace world we live in today, this is one thing that is not as prevalent in our homes, since we all eat out a lot more today than we did in years past. Preparing and having family meals together are some of the best memories I have of my mother. Don’t underestimate your influence on your children in your home. These things may seem trivial to you today, but they are some of the memories your family will have of you long after you are gone.

A mother is always busy; she goes out and buys things for her home and her family such as: food, clothing and household furnishings. A lot of women today work full time jobs and take care of a home and family. It looks like the woman described in this scripture also worked hard in buying and selling things to enhance her family’s life. She is a wise woman, she is kind, she is generous, she gives things to help the poor, she serves her family and she serves God.

The scripture says her husband and her children call her blessed and praise her. A mother’s children are her pride and joy. They see how hard she works and all the jobs she does in taking care of her family. They are the recipients of it all and they appreciate everything she does and they let her know they appreciate it. Many times as women we may feel unappreciated for all the things we do in taking care of our families, but, God knows our hearts and He values us as people and the work we do to care for our family.

Verse 30 tells us that: Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Charm is deceptive, beauty fades, but a woman that fears God, her beauty shines from within. She can be trusted, even though with age her beauty fades, her glory shines through. Her love for God, her love for her family and her love for people makes her the beautiful person she is inside and out. She will be known for the way she loves God and cares for her family and for others. This is a beauty that never fades but grows deeper and deeper every day of her life.

One of the things that I am most grateful for that my mother passed down to me is her faith in God. 2 Timothy 1:5 tells us: When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. This Scripture reminds me this is the most important thing of all we as mothers can teach our children and grandchildren is to love God and serve him. My prayer for you is that you have a Happy Mother’s Day and you honor God as you serve your family.
Proverbs 31:10-31

• 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
• 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
• 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
• 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
• 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
• 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
• 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
• 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
• 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
• 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
• 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
• 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
• 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
• 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
• 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
• 25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
• 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
• 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
• 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
• 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
• 30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
• 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Dear God,

Thank You for this Scripture that gives us an example of what a Godly woman looks like. Help us to be the helpers to our husbands and families that we were meant to be. Help us to teach our children and grandchildren about You and teach them to love You and serve You. Thank You for our family. Help us to be a good example to them. Help us to be the women of God that You would have us to be. We love you, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.

• What do you feel is the most important thing you learned from your mother?
• What are some things you can pass down to your children?
• Do you teach your children about God?
• What are the gifts God gave you that you share with your family?
• How have you used those gifts to serve your family, your community, and God?

Christian Video:

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Deborah H. Bateman is a Christian author, publisher, blogger and website designer. She is the author of The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption and The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor. She is the founder of Christian Daily Resources, a Christian online ministry dedicated to “Sharing God’s Word.” If you would like, you can join Deborah on her blog Daily-Bible-Reading for her daily Bible studies.