Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:10-12

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”(Proverbs 31 : 10-12)

… “Who can find a virtuous woman?…”

A virtuous woman is more than a good, moral woman. The Hebrew word is chayil (2428), which means “strong, powerful, valiant, rich and worthy.”

God is not intimidated by strong women! In fact, it is He who gives us our strength.

In these days women need to be strong and courageous. They have great responsibilities, heavy burdens to bear, and tremendous opportunities to serve God and the people of the world.

There is so much unused talent, and there are so many unused gifts in women who, because of the culture of certain nations, are not permitted to do anything in public.

Beloved sister, while it is wonderful to be a housewife and a mother, it is not necessary to limit the borders of of your abilities and activities to the four walls of your house. God needs you, people need you, and this generation is your generation. You owe a debt to your own generation.

You say, “But my duty is to raise my children, and they will serve God and the people!”

That may be true, but they cannot serve YOUR generation. They can only serve theirs. You are responsible for this day and hour.

The women who are your contemporaries need you now! Ask God to show you what you can do. Be strong! Be courageous! Be valiant! For if you are, you will be more precious than rubies.

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her…” (Proverbs 31: 11a)

The word “trust” in Hebrew is batach (982). It means “to trust, confide in, be confident, rely on.”

Her husband can trust her and confide in her. She also has confidence in him. She will not talk against him behind his back, nor will she act in any way that would bring shame upon him. He can trust her. She will not have secret love affairs, nor flirt with men.

“…so that he shall have no need of spoil.” (Proverbs 31: 11b)

 The word “spoil” in Hebrew is shalal (7998). It means, “spoil, prey, booty, damage, injury, pillage, plunder.”

The virtuous wife is a conscientious woman. She will take good care of the family possessions. She is not wasteful, nor careless. She will not steal from her husband.

He can confide in her and she will share his burden and give him moral support. Many of us have had mothers like that. The world needs real true mothers who are homemakers.

A Good wife brings goodness into the life of her husband

“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31: 12)

The word “good” in Hebrew is towb (2896). It means “good, bountiful, cheerful, kindness, prosperity, pleasure, joy.”

The Hebrew word for “evil” is ra (7451). It means “adversity, affliction, bad, distress, heavy, hurt, misery.”

A good wife will do good to her husband because she is good.

She will bring cheer, joy and kindness into his life. She will give him pleasure and a sense of well-being. She will cause him to prosper physically and spiritually.

While it is true that God must be first in her life, and her husband must never become an idol to her, she will devote herself to him all the days of her life. She belongs to him until his or her death.

She will not tire of doing good for her beloved husband. Their days will grow happier as they pass the years together. There will be an understanding between them which will be so great that even when they are not conversing they will be able to communicate with each other.

Gems of Wisdom by Gwen Shaw
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