"Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law...." Psalm 119:18
As we begin to study this wonderful section of Scripture, let's first ask the Lord's blessing.....
Heavenly Father,
I want to take a moment and thank You for all You do for us as women and as wives. I ask, as a teacher of Your word, to use me as an instrument with this study. I pray that You will give me the passages of Scripture You want these women to know in their hearts.
We come together to seek forgiveness of sins, healing, and restoration. We know that Your word will convict us of sin in our lives, so we come together as sisters in Christ to encourage one another, admonish one another, and pray for one another.
I thank You for each woman You have brought here to this study. I pray for her walk with You to be strong. I pray for her influence on a younger woman in her life. May You speak to her through the reading of Your word and show her how to teach younger women of good things (Titus 2:3) so that your word will not be blasphemed.
We ask for your blessing on this study, in Jesus name. Amen.
This study of the Virtuous Wife is found in the book of Proverbs chapter 31. Please make sure you have your Bible handy as well as a piece of notebook paper for notes or any questions you may have.
The Book of Proverbs is one of the Wisdom Books of the Bible in that it is separated by the fact that it contains writings on the human condition and not merely history, the Law, or geography. These books contains writings about "the human condition and its enduring aspects." The writers "bring to it the perspective of the divine majesty and superintending providence, pondering the question of how the creature should think about the Creator" (New Geneva Study Bible, 1995).
Wisdom Literature in the Bible includes the books Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. They are distinguished from prophecy books and historical books in that they use introspection and meditation. (New Geneva Study Bible, 1995)
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Let's begin by reading Proverbs 31:10-31 first:
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merhcant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night.
And she provides food for her household.
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field abd buys it;
From her profits she planta vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And she strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merhcants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, he praises her:
29 "Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all."
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands,
And ler her own works praise her in the gates.
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Whew! I get tired just from reading all that she does!
Lesson One:
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.....
The word "virtuous" used here means "valor" a military term for excellence. The verse translated means: a wife of valor. It is a Hebrew phrase that is the female equivalent of "a man of great wealth."
King Lemuel here is writing about this "wife of valor" as though she is an enigma. But in the previous verses, his mother writes of warnings to her son in a way that exudes wisdom. Perhaps King Lemuel was writing a poem about his own mother?? We may never know who this woman is in Prov. 31:10-31.
I used to hate studying these verses because it seemed almost impossible for a woman to aspire to her example. But now that I am older and have seen many women attain to this example, I can read these verses without feeling desparate or discouraged. Now I am encouraged! I pray you will be too.
Please read Ruth 2:20-23
Our church recently spent about one year in the book of Ruth. While studying this book, I couldn't help but notice how this young woman was indeed a Woman of Virtue.
What did you notice about Ruth in verses 20-23?
What did Naomi command Ruth to do?
How did Ruth resond?
I know in my youth I was very contentious. I still am at times, a thing my husband doesn't like. Through prayer, I have learned not to be contentious as I was in my youth. It was a hard lesson learned through many failings and lost friendships. My husband doesn't like me to argue because he doesn't want me to get hurt anymore. I can see now that he has my best interest at heart.
Here in the book of Ruth we find that Naomi also has Ruth's best interest at heart. By obeying her mother-in-law, Ruth impressed Boaz. He even called her a "virtuous woman" (Ruth 3:11). By impressing Boaz, she saved herself and her mother-in-law because they needed Boaz to redeem them.
Notice how Ruth responded to Naomi: she did not argue or talk back to her. She obeyed.
Please read Philippians 2:4
Can you use this verse to improve how you obey your Lord? Your husband? Me too...
Please read Ruth 4:13-22
What was Ruth's reward as a result of her obeying "without complaining or disputing"? ( also translated as : grumbling or arguing)
A virtuous wife doesn't argue or complain....she willingly obeys and trusts. As a result, she is greatly blessed.
Ruth is now part of Christ's genealogy. How is she remembered? For winning an argument or for being obedient?
Life application:
How do you wish to be remembered?
Could you describe yourself as a virtuous woman?
If not, what events in your life might be keeping you from achieving all your goals?
I have always had trouble making and keeping friends because I get so negative and I let my mouth ruin things. I have a tendency to sabotage a friendship and watch it go under by criticizing and judging.
As a result, I try not to get close to anyone so I tend to build walls around me. A defense mechanism, I suppose. Through prayer and being in God's word, I have seen a change in the way I handle friendships. It is hard for me to let myself be a friend and trust a friend. When I have finally let myself be a friend, that friend moves away and I never see her again. The loss can cause me to put up those walls again....but the Lord is still working on me through reading about fine women like Ruth who trusted with her whole heart and not her "feelings".
Do you consider yourself worthy?
How do you handle trials and tribulations that come your way? Do you over eat? Do you sleep until noon? Do you starve yourself? Do you lash out in anger or become acutely silent?
Does your faith in God play a part in getting you through tough times like faith helped Naomi and Ruth?
Please read Hebrews 11:13-14
Do you have the heavenly hope within you or do you "build walls" to shut yourself in or keep people out?
Are you seeking a homeland? A place where you can find rest? Take a moment to describe what that homeland will be like. Share with us if you'd like...
Please read Titus 2:1-5
Are you a younger woman? If so, you have a godly role to play. Your calling from God is to be sure that you are learning the essentials to your faith. In Elizabeth George's book, A Woman of High Calling, she writes about what a young woman should be doing: growing in the essentials for godly living, accept and heed instruction of godly, older women. (p. 104)
Are you an older woman? You have a high calling as well: to teach the younger women good things of the Lord.
Why? "So the word of God may not be blasphemed." (v.5)
As we begin to study Proverbs 31:10-31, we will be learning more about what our Biblical roles as women are and what God's will is for our lives.
I look forward to sharing more with you next time. Until then.....
Excellence is willing to be wrong
Perfection is being right.
Excellence is risk.
Perfection is fear.
Excellence is powerful,
Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is spontaneous,
Perfection is control.
Excellence is accepting,
Perfection is judgment.
Excellence is giving,
Perfection is taking.
Excellence is confident,
Perfection is doubt.
Excellence is flowing,
Perfection is pressure.
Excellence is a journey.
Perfection is a destination.
-from Between Women of God, by Donna Otto
Let's strive to be Women of Excellence!
God bless!
Ruth
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