Ladies

Now the challenges and opportunities for the ladies. Ladies, are you up to the standard of a Proverbs 31 wife? Before you judge the quality of the men around, are you sure you are fit to have Prince Charming?

Stop waiting around and wishing for that perfect man, get busy and train to be that perfect woman.
Get busy in serving God. Get busy in worshipping Him. Get busy in the race He has laid before you to grow spiritually, personally and intellectually in the whole person that is the real you.

 

 

And you do that by being a Proverbs 31 lady. It’s a rather comprehensive job being one but you’d expect that - you're not special because you do what’s common. Here are the highlights...

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies

This talks about the fact that the standard to which you are asked to rise to is high. But that’s good news because it will make you rare, it will make you precious, it will make you attractive far beyond what you may imagine as being possible.

And not just to anyone but someone who is of worthwhile character. Because it will be those of worthwhile character who will take note of your character and be attracted, not just the superficial stuff.

 

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

This speaks of a woman who not only wants to do good by her husband but is able to.
You see, it isn’t just an issue of being willing to be a Proverbs 31 woman. You need to be able to be a Proverbs 31 woman and that involves the training of your attitudes and skills.

 
 

No...the bible isn’t saying that you need to be able to work with wool and flax or engage in international merchant trading and real estate. God isn’t saying you need an accounting and commerce double degree and be pulling a six-figure salary. What He is saying here is that you should be financially aware and know the value of hard work, whatever that calling may be - be it in the home or out of the home.
This is reflected in the next points...

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

There is a point to being financially savvy and hard working and it isn’t just to build a fat bank account. Money is no use in and of itself.

Its use is in the what it can do to help others. Do you have that kind of attitude and not just for the provision of your household but also for others?

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land…She is clothed with strength and dignity..She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Her husband is respected because she was wise enough to wed herself to a respectable man. However, it isn’t merely because of of his character that he is respected but it is also because the character of his wife beautifully crowns his character. Such character doesn’t come easily.

Strength and dignity of character along with wisdom only come to those who seek and cultivate it. For those who do, they shine in a sea of mediocrity. Ladies, are you doing that? Each of you are uniquely beautiful in the special way that God has made you but diamonds don’t really shine unless you polish them up. Believe that, work with God on your character, your dreams and your hopes and....shine. That’s how you can love and be loved.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

This not only relates to one who is wise and hard working but specifically, in relation to the affairs of her home.

Are you skilling yourself up to be one who takes charge and care of the challenges of running a household?

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I don’t believe it is by accident that this is the final point. In a culture that increasingly emphasises the external, the superficial, this is an important reminder.
As discussed in the foundation verse, you are more than just that one part. You are more than your physicality that superficial part of you.

Sure, you should look after your appearance, that’s part of who you are but what about the rest of you? Who you are and what you can do.
That matters to God so make sure that also matters to you...because you can be sure that it matters to that good man you may be interested in because if it doesn’t, he wasn’t a good man in the first place

Wrapping is nice but it’s what’s on the inside that makes a present

Looks are something but they aren’t everything. The world will tell you the opposite but looks at best will fade and worse is fake. Look no further than this for proof:

In Summary:
Are you trustworthy, supportive, thoughtful, compassionate, hard working, generous, honourable, wise, strong and economically savvy, making the most use of the resources and time you have?

Ladies, that’s you challenge and you will be oh so attractive if you accept it and strive for it.

So, you now know who you should be. This also implies who you should be looking for. That’s nice but how do you go about that?

I'm glad you asked, that’s the point of the next section - Who Are They?play