A Wise Woman

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

The book of Proverbs begins by stating its intent: “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight” (Proverbs 1:2). In our reflections this month we’ve considered many proverbs, and we’ve applied their teachings to living as followers of Jesus Christ. Repeatedly we’ve recognized Jesus as the example of wise living.

Proverbs 31 closes with a word picture of a wife and mother who “fears the Lord” and is thus wise, diligent, compassionate, a hard worker, financially astute, insightful, and much more. Like Lady Wisdom, she makes sensible decisions and lives according to God’s Word. Such a mother and wife is worthy of her husband’s praise and her children’s blessing. She’s the example to be followed.

And yet, if anyone could do all that she does, she’d be superhuman. Her example is virtually unattainable. We’re best served by seeing her as the full compilation of Proverbs’ characteristics for wise living as followers of Jesus Christ.

With this intriguing twist, Proverbs, written in a time of male dominance, closes with a picture of a wife and mother as an embodiment of Lady Wisdom, whom we’ve been encouraged to seek and know. Wisdom is God’s gracious gift showing us how to live as his children. It’s the way of the full life that Jesus has provided for us!

God of wisdom, thank you for all you teach us in Proverbs. Help us to live by your wisdom in faithful obedience, following your Son. In his name, Amen.