A VIRTUOUS WOMEN
A WOMEN OF ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE
WOMEN IN GOD'S DESIGN PROVERBS 31
A virtuous woman not only cares physically for her home, but she is also a "watchman" over the emotional and spiritual condition of her family (v.27). Tsaphah, Hebrew for "watches" (Strong's #6822), is also translated "watchmen." She works willingly with her hands, two kinds of which are mentioned in Prov. 31: Kaph, symbolizing upturned hands extended in prayer (v.13), and yad, ministering or serving hands (v.20). Confident in the God to whom she prays, the effective woman knows she has eternal significance. (Prov. 12:4/Eph. 5:21-32) J.H.
(31:1) It is difficult to argue that women are rightfully forbidden from teaching or preaching Scripture when there are instances such as this of a woman authorizing scripture. (31:2-9) The threefold warning against womanizing (v.3), drinking (vv. 4-7), and injustice (vv. 8,9) is specifically for a ruler, not just for the general population (see v. 4). For example, Lemuel has been exhorted not merely to abstain from oppressing the poor and needy and condemned, but to speak up on their behalf. Solomon has quoted his father (4:4); Lemuel quotes his mother (31:1). Wisdom is not sexist...In fact, the personification of Wisdom is normally feminine throughout. Nevertheless some passages (such as 8:23–31) seem an unmistakable description of Jesus Christ, who was “in the beginning with God” (John 1:2), is “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24), and “became for us wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:30).
BLESSED (v. 28), 'asher (ah-shar); Strong's #833: Happy, blessed, prosperous, successful, straight, right, contented. It's original meaning is "be straight." Note the use of the word in Gen. 30:13; Leah gave birth to a son "Asher" (from ashar), meaning "Happy One." Both the Messiah and the nation of Israel will be called "blessed" ('ashar) by the whole world. "Men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed" (Ps. 72:17), "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land" (Mal. 3:12).
In our era, a time of the special work of the Holy Spirit, it is the Spirit who helps us mine the riches of the Proverbs, rather than Proverbs helping us understand the Spirit. It has been said of the Old and New Testaments, “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.”
(31:16) She engages in real estate transactions and channels her independent earnings into further investments.
(31:18) Merchandise is literally “profit.”
(31:24) From the raw materials that she secures (v. 13), she has a business of manufacturing and marketing goods.
(31:26) She is known for her wisdom.
(31:27) She, not her husband, manages the household.
(31:31) A woman’s abilities are to be allowed full use and given fitting commendation.
~Bits and Pieces of Proverbs 31 from the NSFB
(31:1) It is difficult to argue that women are rightfully forbidden from teaching or preaching Scripture when there are instances such as this of a woman authorizing scripture. (31:2-9) The threefold warning against womanizing (v.3), drinking (vv. 4-7), and injustice (vv. 8,9) is specifically for a ruler, not just for the general population (see v. 4). For example, Lemuel has been exhorted not merely to abstain from oppressing the poor and needy and condemned, but to speak up on their behalf. Solomon has quoted his father (4:4); Lemuel quotes his mother (31:1). Wisdom is not sexist...In fact, the personification of Wisdom is normally feminine throughout. Nevertheless some passages (such as 8:23–31) seem an unmistakable description of Jesus Christ, who was “in the beginning with God” (John 1:2), is “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24), and “became for us wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:30).
BLESSED (v. 28), 'asher (ah-shar); Strong's #833: Happy, blessed, prosperous, successful, straight, right, contented. It's original meaning is "be straight." Note the use of the word in Gen. 30:13; Leah gave birth to a son "Asher" (from ashar), meaning "Happy One." Both the Messiah and the nation of Israel will be called "blessed" ('ashar) by the whole world. "Men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed" (Ps. 72:17), "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land" (Mal. 3:12).
In our era, a time of the special work of the Holy Spirit, it is the Spirit who helps us mine the riches of the Proverbs, rather than Proverbs helping us understand the Spirit. It has been said of the Old and New Testaments, “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.”
(31:16) She engages in real estate transactions and channels her independent earnings into further investments.
(31:18) Merchandise is literally “profit.”
(31:24) From the raw materials that she secures (v. 13), she has a business of manufacturing and marketing goods.
(31:26) She is known for her wisdom.
(31:27) She, not her husband, manages the household.
(31:31) A woman’s abilities are to be allowed full use and given fitting commendation.
~Bits and Pieces of Proverbs 31 from the NSFB
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