Wisdom of a Virtuous Woman
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” — Prov 31:16
The Amplified Bible reads, “She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
Today we conclude our study of the virtuous woman. I pray you have found inspiration as we have visited the stories of some amazing women.
Proverbs 31:16 speaks of the wisdom a woman needs in taking care of her responsibilities. There is a wisdom that comes from man and there is a godly wisdom.
I can think of several examples of women in the Bible who exemplified an uncommon wisdom, some of whom are well known, but others who are not.
I immediately think of Rahab, whose story is found in Joshua 2. Rahab had heard of the Hebrews’ successful conquest and knew her only chance of survival was to align with the Hebrew spies. Her decision saved her and her family.
Consider the story of Jael found in Judges 4, whose husband, Hever, was an ally of the Canaanite army. Sisera, the General of the army, had led 900 chariots into battle, and one by one they were destroyed.
Only Sisera remained, and he ran for cover toward Hever’s encampment, where Jael met him and invited him to her tent. There he believed he would be safe.
Sisera fell exhausted on the ground and Jael covered him with a rug. She gave him warm milk and when he was asleep she took a tent peg and drove it through his skull.
Why? God had given Deborah, the only female judge, a glimpse into the outcome of the battle with the Canaanite army, and she knew a woman would win the battle. That woman was Jael.
I am sure Jael did not awaken that morning, thinking she would kill the leader of the Canaanite army. But obedience led her accomplish God’s will.
Esther, a Queen to Artexerxes, learned of a plot to exterminate all Jews in Babylon. Esther cleverly trapped Haman, the perpetrator of the plan, and rather than the Jews being killed Haman was executed.
Miriam, the sister of Moses, saved her brother from the infant slaughter that had been ordered by Pharaoh. She orchestrated his rescue by Pharaoh’s own daughter, who raised the child as her own.
Women who may not have lived as Proverbs 31 women, through their obedience to God, attained righteousness. These women did not work their way to salvation, since salvation is a free gift. Rather, God shaped them into virtuous women, and He can accomplish the same thing in us today.
May we allow the God of the Universe to mold us into the people of virtue He called us to be.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Duties of a Virtuous Woman
(NIV) 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
I love this scripture so much that I have used it three times in sermons! I love that Martha was so close to Jesus she was not too intimidated to speak to Him in a rather stern manner. “Tell her to help me!” is not the approach I would take. After all, she is speaking to the Son of God!
Martha was certainly industrious and not idle. I’m sure she was a great hostess, but she was frustrated! When Jesus came to visit He was not alone—He came with disciples, curiosity seekers, and others. And Mary, instead of helping with the work, sat at Jesus’ feet.
At first glance it would appear Martha was exhibiting all of the qualities of a virtuous woman. There was cleaning to do, cooking, probably buying extra supplies. Yet, Jesus commended Mary and not Martha.
Jesus could have easily chastised Mary, not only for leaving Martha to do the bulk of the work. But, also, it is likely Mary was the sole woman sitting and listening to Jesus. After all, sitting at the feet of the teacher was the posture of men who were being prepared to preach. Yet, Jesus said Mary, rather than Martha, had chosen the better part.
But wait a moment. What is really going on here? Martha, in her zeal to provide her guests with the perfect evening, has not taken the time to assess what Jesus really desired. Did he want or need an elaborate meal? No. Jesus loved Martha and Mary, and what he desired was an evening with his friends, where he could share not just their table, but their heart.
Martha’s motives were not in question–she simply got so caught up in the business of the day that she became preoccupied and missed the real reason for Jesus’ visit. Is this not a lesson many of us would do well to learn?
Mary certainly saw Martha hurrying around making preparations for the evening meal. No doubt she knew Martha was angry because the work was being left to her. But Mary would not be dissuaded from her purpose–sitting at the feet of her teacher, learning spiritual lessons that would last far beyond the physical food that Martha was preparing.
Martha learned a valuable lesson. There is work to be done, but what part is necessary and what part do we add due to our misguided plans? Jesus lovingly called Martha by name, and to emphasize the importance of what he said, he repeated her name. A rebuke, yes, but gentle and loving.
There is a need for Marthas and Marys, but we must learn a proper balance. And, when we have the chance to sit at our Master’s feet, let us take it.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Qualities of the Virtuous Woman—Trustworthiness
(NIV) Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
Prov 31:10 (KJV)
“Who can find a [virtuous woman]? for her price <is> far above rubies.” —
Prov 31:10 (AMP)
“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” —
In Proverbs 31, beginning in verse 10, we see the qualities of the virtuous woman. Reading from verses 10 to 31, she is a woman who works from before daylight until after dark. This woman is smart, enterprising, energetic, trustworthy, and she is admired by all she knows.
When my pastor first met with Larry and me for premarital counseling, he asked Larry, “Why do you want to marry Carol?” Well, being in love and inclined to a romantic perspective, I expected Larry to respond with flowery comments dotted with phrases such as “Because I can’t imagine my life without her.” Instead, he quite simply stated, “Because I trust her.” My pastor, with tears in his eyes, said, “That’s all I need to hear.”
Admittedly, the Proverbs 31 woman is written from the perspective of a wife who works hard on behalf of her husband. But isn’t living a virtuous life a goal to which we should each strive to attain, whether we are single, married, divorced or widowed?
In Ruth’s story we see a woman whose husband has died, and she chooses to leave Moab, her native land, and travel to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, whose husband has also died.
I find Ruth’s story so compelling because the love between a woman and her mother-in-law is sometimes less than ideal. Yet, Ruth’s love and loyalty to Naomi is the kind of love we would do well to emulate.
When we live in such a way that our actions glorify God, we will be noticed by others. Initially, Ruth did not do anything to call attention to herself, yet Boaz recognized her as a woman of high standards and knew he could trust her to become a part of his family.
May we each live in such a manner that others will recognize Christ in us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Who is the Virtuous Woman
In beginning this study, I found it quite significant that, although woman was the first to sin, she was also the last to leave the foot of the cross, the first to arrive at the tomb of Jesus, the first to see our risen Lord, and the first to proclaim His resurrection to the disciples. This speaks volumes as to the make-up of women.
Many will say Satan tempted Eve rather than Adam because she was the weaker of the two. I am not convinced of this. Eve made some crucial mistakes in dealing with Satan, and we would do well to learn from these.
First, she engaged in a conversation with Satan. We have the benefit of Jesus’ example that we are not to have idle conversation with the enemy. Jesus only spoke the scripture to Satan, and when confronted by the enemy, we should do the same.
Secondly, Eve had no business being in the vicinity of the forbidden tree. She knew full well she was not to eat of the tree. She was not hungry. There was an abundance of food in the garden. She looked upon it because it was “a delight to the eyes,” but surely there were many other beautiful sights in the garden.
Like Eve, we are often led astray when, instead of being satisfied with what God has supplied, we look upon that which we can not have with longing. How do we tell the difference between God’s voice and the voice of the enemy? By the content—the enemy condemns, makes us question who God is and who we are in Him.
Finally, she sought equality with God, just as Lucifer had before he and his demons were cast from heaven. Matthew Henry, in speaking of Adam and Eve, says:
He [Satan] tempts them to seek preferment, as if they were fit to be gods. Satan ruined himself by desiring to be like the Most High, therefore he sought to infect our first parents with the same desire, that he might ruin them too. And still the devil draws people into his interest, by suggesting to them hard thoughts of God, and false hopes of advantage by sin. Let us, therefore, always think well of God as the best good, and think ill of sin as the worst evil; thus let us resist the devil and he will flee from us.
Sinful as we are, God still finds ways to use us. God has called many men and women to His service throughout history, some of whom are quite famous, some who are completely unknown. There is still much to be done before our Lord’s return. Satan’s attack on the families has never been stronger, but God’s Word promises that “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: [because greater] is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” — 1 John 4:4
Join me as we explore anew how to be people of virtue.
Let There Be Hope
(Amp)Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
(NRSV) Psalm 26:13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
Hope has always been a vital part of my makeup. Some people disregard hope as being foolish. Others believe hope displays a lack of faith, as though only one or the other can exist. For me, hope has sustained me while waiting for the thing promised by faith to be made real.
There are times when I almost lose hope. Almost. But hope brings a confident expectation that my faith will not disappoint.
I wrote the following poem following my first heart attack. I was as low as I’ve ever been—physically weak and emotionally exhausted. Yet, I still had both hope and faith.
HOPE
Hope drifts in on angel’s wings, barely
disturbing the air, the room, we
hardly know it’s there.
Yet, it arrives, unhurried, but
not unwanted.
We see it in the
face of a friend, the
trace of a smile, or simply
a kind word. It is the promise
of good things to come, the
assurance that we are not alone. It is
what gets us through another day
when we think we cannot go on.
2008 Carol J. Grace All Rights Reserved
I cannot lose hope, and neither can you. May we hold fast to our belief that God will sustain us through life’s difficulties.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 