The Virtuous Woman                          Kathleen Maples

updated Sept 28, 2006

Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

What is a virtuous woman? It is someone who is strong, valiant, with means, someone with power, and resources far beyond others. When you look up the word "virtuous" in the original Hebrew, that is what it tells you, that and more. But, today, you often hear these Scriptures read in churches across America on Mother's Day. It goes far deeper than that. These Scriptures are a type-an illustration from the heart of God of the Bride of Jesus Christ. It's a portrait of His Church. In a world sick with sin, filled with selfishness, and violence, and full of darkness, She shines as a bright light, as a city set on a hill. She stands out because she does not need medication to find peace or rest. She stands out because she thinks of others more than herself. She stands out because she has a servant's heart. Her agenda is not her own, neither is her word. It is HIS. The Light that shines from her comes from Him. It is HIS light. To Him, she is far more valuable than gemstones.

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She is sold out to God, she is dead to this world, and He knows she will not forsake Him and walk away for vain and passing treasures. He is her Treasure, and He trusts Her with His Name, and His Word, and with it, delegated authority and power over her enemies. (Luk 10:19-20) The Lord is not looking for another, He is satisfied with His Bride. She yields to Him and lets Him make her what she needs to be. On the other hand, her friends, her family, her employer, they can safely trust in her, as a Christian, as part of the Bride of Christ, that her word is her bond, her fingers are not sticky, her eyes are not covetous and greedy. If this part of the Bride, this Christian, is married, then the spouse has no worry of not trusting in her.

Pro 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Wool represents purity, it's white. Remember, in Rev. 1, when John was in the Spirit and heard the Lord talk with him, he turned around and just the glory and power of the vision of the Lord who talked with him was so pronounced, so awesome, he fell like a dead man on his face. He said the hairs of His head were "white, like wool" and it signifies purity. Flax is something grown Egypt, and listen to this: it is torn from its native soil in Egypt or India. The stalks of the plant are laid out in strips, to dry out in the scorching sun. In Biblical times, they were laid out on the roofs of houses to dry-and this was a hot, desert climate. Later, they were put in ovens to dry out. They are then peeled, to separate the stalk from the fibers inside which are used to make fine linen cloth and also wicks for lighting lamps. Then, it is torn by a comb designed to straighten, and remove knots, and impurities, then it's tied to stones, and immersed in water so it can be ready to be transformed into white, linen garments on a spinning wheel. We, as Christians, are taken out of sin, rooted up from our dark, sin-gripped world, and put in the kingdom of God's dear Son, bathed in His Light, and we have a purifying, sanctifying process to go through, as well. Our flesh life, our self-life has to be stripped away, and destroyed, like circumcision of the heart. It's a painful process. Flesh and self have to go. We have to learn we can't trust anything in ourselves to be good enough to bring to Him. Then when we are tired, and empty of ourselves, he immerses us in living waters, fills us with Himself, he anchors us to Himself-He is the Rock, the Cornerstone the builders rejected. Or, to put it another way:

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Wow-I missed so much when I studied this last year....I am so grateful the Lord drew me back to these Scriptures this evening! It amazes me how you can read His Word and get something new out of it every time, that always satisfies and delights the soul...!!!

And this Bride, she works willingly with her hands. She raises her hands to her Lord, she uses her hands in and for His service. She uses them to minister and help others. Wow, this is making me feel ever more privileged to have been placed in His body...as part of His Bride...Hallelujah!

Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Pro 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

The merchants' ships would transport goods, food, and materials people needed across the oceans and seas to other lands. The Bride of Christ is like that, she travels, carrying with her the Bread of Life that come down from Heaven, to share with who so ever will come and hunger and thirst. She is not one given to laziness and slumber. She gets up early, and seeks the face of God for a word for her household, for her family, her neighborhood, those the Lord brings across her path. She fills up on HIM so she will have what others around her need when she is given opportunity to minister to them in whatever capacity presents itself.

Luk 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

She knows she has been given the responsibility, she's been set as a light in her home, her town, her school, her workplace, and because she is not the Source, but has constant access to the Source, and all the provision needed for the task, that there is no room or excuse for failing to shine. She brings her food from afar because it's the Bread of Life, and she got it on her knees and in His Word and it's for those around her who are hungry, for those who are sick of the world and the elusive peace so many seek in so many dark and dim and tired places.

Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

She has this precious Word of God, a gift from on high, paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ and the holy men of old who sacrificed their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She doesn't take it lightly or for granted. She cherishes it. She's digging in this field, she's finding the promises of God, taking possession of what has been revealed to her, and it is making her strong in the Lord. She's considered the promises carefully. She has sold out completely to the Word of God. As a result, the work of her hands is blessed. She becomes fruitful. The fruit of her hands is the result of the Spirit of God working in her life, sowing the Word, bringing forth the gentleness, peace, joy, patience, longsuffering, all the fruits of the Spirit, listed in Gal 5:22. It touches the lives of those around her. His life, his living water flowing through her spreads out with healing and transforming power to bring hope into the lives of the hurting souls around her. She's been to the Source. She's sold out to Him. She's bought the field, and all the Treasure hidden in it. But this Treasure is not to be kept for self. It's to be found and shared with others. She sows seeds of life and hope in the lives of others.

Pro 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

In Bible times, they wore close fitting tunics over their bodies, that were normally about knee-length. They covered these with long, flowing robes. When people relaxed or were at ease, they left the robes loose. But when it was time to move, fight, or travel, they tied up the robes with rope or a sash of sorts, so they might better move. In the Hebrew, the word "gird" means to put on a belt, or armor, the loins means our minds, and she's put on HIS strength, because HE makes her strong. Remember, HE is her Source. The promises of God in His Word is what she wraps around herself and moves and lives on. She stands on His Word to her. And the Her I'm talking about here, be reminded, is every born again believer, (for there is no male or female in the kingdom of God) (Gal 3:28)

Pro 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Pro 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She knows the Word of God is good, and that it lights her way in this dark world, no matter how dark things get. She knows the light of God will never go out. She is trusting, in verse 19 the rod and staff of the Lord to be her comfort, the word distaff literally means a crutch. That is what the Word of God is- it holds her up daily. Remember in Heb 1:3, he says he upholds all things by the word of his power.

Pro 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She reaches out in verse 20, to the poor, meaning in this verse, according to Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, the depressed in mind or circumstances, the afflicted, the humble, needy and poor. Those around her who are hurting, who are bruised by the world, circumstances, and hard times. The Christians around her who are harassed by the enemy, or circumstance, and are weak. She reaches out with the compassion of God, to minister strength and encouragement to them. She speaks life into their situation, because she has sat at His feet, and heard His Word.

Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Pro 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She's not afraid of the cold for her household, because all of her household are covered, by the precious, crimson blood of the Lamb. Her husband has the respect of those around him because his wife is this virtuous woman, a woman who has power with God because she walks submitted under the authority of God.

Pro 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Pro 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Pro 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Strength and honor are her clothing, she will have much to rejoice over in the future, when she reaps what she's sown. When she opens her mouth, in verse 26, her words are kind, her tongue is under control, the law of kindness rules there. Translated as it's used here, that means in the Strong's Hebrew, piety, beauty, favor, goodness, kind, loving, merciful, having pity, and mercy. She speaks what is right, gentle, and good. Her words are profitable to those w ho hear them. They are not idle or cruel. Her wisdom is not worldly or sensual.

Pro 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

She looketh well to the ways of her house: She observes, waits, keeping watch over and looking out for her family, those under her care. She's like a watchman, prepared for the enemy when he tries to come in and do harm. She doesn't listen to or feed on idle words, or lies. She is not slothful. She feeds on the Word of God, she prays and communes with Him at His table, and fills up on His wisdom, and is directed by Him. Only with this kind of communion can this virtuous woman be and achieve all that these Scriptures say she does. It must be HIM working in and through her. Human flesh could not do this led by a carnal mind.

Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Pro 31:30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Strong's Hebrew for 'favor' means graciousness, kindness, pleasant and precious, well-favored, beauty. A person can put on a sham, and lie and pretend to favor someone, but a woman that feareth, or reveres the Lord, is morally reverent toward the Lord, shall be praised. She'll be well thought of by those around her. They might not understand, they might mock her devotion, but in their troubles, they will praise her for her wisdom. In their folly, they will see her wisdom. They will look to her for guidance because they've seen her ways are right, because her ways are the way of the Lord. That is called being a light to the World, letting Jesus shine through her life. He is where the virtue, the force, the power comes from. As the world around her that is lost and in darkness and misery to a harsh taskmaster, and quickly perishing, sees the peace and light and strength that are so evident in her life-she doesn't have to preach Scriptures to them. Her life is the light to those around. Her life is the evidence of the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She knows she doesn't have to back up His Word, or prove anything to the world. HE will do it in and through her. He will back up His Word however He chooses. At the end of her journey, the result of her faith, her trust in His promises, will be the souls saved who have been touched by the life of Christ in her, flowing out of her to a lost and needy world. What better reason to live can you think of? I love how Bro. Leonard Ravenhill put it, when he asked the question "Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" If you are living for yourself, for pleasure, and gain, that is not why He died. He came to seek and save the lost. To bind up the wounded, to heal the broken hearted, to loose the slave and set the captives at liberty, to open the blinded eyes. He desires to minister His grace and power and life through His Bride to continue ministering to the poor and needy. He knows His Bride will not take the credit or glory from Him. He knows she will faithfully point others to Him. He shares His heart with her, and He knows He can trust her. Is this the kind of intimacy you have with Jesus Christ? Do you want it? I do! Will you let the lies of the enemy stop you? Will you let the weakness of your flesh or your fears stop you? When He promised that He would perfect what concerns you, (Psa 138:8) and do the work in you (Phi 1:6, 2:15) and that because He promised (2 Pet 1:3-5) we could partake of His divine nature, just because He promised we could! He didn't say we deserved this honor. He didn't say we couldn't. He made us meet or acceptable to partake of Him! HE MADE US ACCEPTABLE-

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Whose report will you believe, the devil's, your carnal mind's, or the Word of God? I can honestly say I am not there yet, but praise the Lord when I was in these Scriptures last year I didn't see all this. So I'm growing in grace and knowledge of HIM. He's taking me where I can't go and He's making me what the devil said I could never be!!! Hallelujah! Don't let these Scriptures discourage or dishearten you! Don't listen to the voices that say you can't be what this says you are to be! Of course you can't be like this on your own! HE works the work and HE is the power in you to do it. When the circumstances are over your head, out of your control and beyond your ability to understand, they are under His feet. Remember that. He sits as King of the floods. He knows all. He is everywhere. He sees everything. He is ALL Mighty. And HE in His great power and majesty LOVES YOU....what an honor. I tell myself-and you, is HE not worth getting up an hour early for? Is He not worth digging into this Book He had written so we can know HIM better? OH, YES!! Does my flesh want to? No. Does my carnal mind? No. Does my heart and soul? YESSSSSS sigh, sigh...I got to have Him. My family has got to have Him. We all have got to have Him. He is so precious. What a privileged people we are to have such an invitation from HIM. We have access. Time is running short. The call is out to everyone. Let us come while He may be found.