I thought that it would be important for me to explain what each of the Proverbs 31 verses mean to me. After all, it is my understanding that I am going to be using to share why I think that we can be successful in emulating her. Too often I read other's interpretations in which they write off just about everything she does. For example using phrases like, well she had handmaidens. Anyway, I thought that you might find this synopsis helpful.
Secondly, I want to encourage you by reminding you that being a woman, wife, and mother is a job that God uniquely qualified you, as a woman, to do. I think that in His wisdom, God exhorted the mature woman to teach the younger woman - because today's younger women have been shortchanged the skills and techniques our grandparents and great-grandparents knew about being proper housewives and mothers. I think that we need to forget all the feminist garbage that is out there. You are to be a helpmeet to your husband. So help him. You are to be the keeper of the home, so start keeping it properly. You are told to teach your children in the fear of the Lord pretty much 24/7. Instead of whining or complaining, let's start doing what we can do for the glory of God! (I'm preaching to myself here too!)
Pro 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.
These first three verses are all about how she treats her husband and not exaclty about what she does for him. There is no reason why we cannot treat our husbands in a way that ensures he can trust us, and that we have his best interests in mind.
Pro 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
I interpret this to mean she actually does work herself, personally, and does not rely on others to do everything for her.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
In today's GMO polluted environment, I interpret this to mean that she purchases the best food that she can afford to feed her family and does not rely on cheap frankenfoods.
Pro 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She rises earlier than her family in order to prepare them breakfast, and maybe, even get dinner started. Crock pots are awesome! But really, this kind of goes with the previous verse in that she is ensuring that she has enough, good, quality food prepared for everyone in her household.
Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
For me, this means having a garden. Again, it ties in with the previous two verses. Watch Back to Eden. We did and I can assure you that we do not garden the way our parents did. It is a lot less work, for sure. Don't have room for a garden? Use containers. Most kids have no clue where there food comes from and that is knowledge that must be brought back.
Pro 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
I interpret this to mean she actually does work herself, personally, and does not rely on others to do everything for her. Also, she does what is necessary to keep her health and strength up.
Pro 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She does not buy things impulsively. She makes wise choices with her money. In other words, the candle she buys can burn through the night without failing. Can you honestly say that your purchases are always wise? How much "junk" do we clutter our lives with?
Pro 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
We are blessed in that we are no longer required to spin our own threads, and weave our own cloth. Or even make our own clothes, if we do not want to. The point here is that she is always making sure that her family has good food, good clothes, and the things that they will need when they need them.
Pro 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She helps others out. For me, this means having an extra meal or two in the freezer for when someone gets sick, has a baby, loses a family member, etc. It also means having a fully stocked pantry so that when someone is tight, they can "shop" at my house for necessities to get them to their next paycheck.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Again, her family is well clothed - not with name brand things, but with clothes that are well made and will last a season. The reference to scarlet implies quality. And that is key when it comes to clothing. Quality over quantity is best every time.
Pro 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Again, we are blessed in that we are no longer required to spin our own threads, and weave our own cloth. Or even make our own clothes, if we do not want to. The point here is that she is always making sure that she is dressed in the very best that she can make. In our case, it would be the best that we can afford for the tasks at hand.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her actions reflect positively on her husband.
Pro 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Find a way to be a helpmate to your husband that impacts either income or expenses positivley. Organize a rummage sale each summer to bring in some extra income. Sell off extra produce from your garden. Clip coupons to save on groceries. Leverage your skills into your own business that you can do from your house that offers flexibility. Watch other children during the summer. The ideas are endless. The point is that she helped her husband financially too.
Pro 31:25-26 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
These two verses are all about her own personal character development. Do you exude strength or whining and weakness? Do you do what needs to get done, or do you complain and pout? Are you kind to others and a sources of wisdomly advice? Or are you an example of what not to do?
Pro 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Simply put, she was not lazy. She figured out what needed to be done to manage her home and she did it. You would never see her sitting on her butt watching television if there was work to do. She would not be out spending money she did not have to buy things she did not need leaving her house a mess.
Pro 31:28-31 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
In the final verses, she is praised for being a good wife and mother.
I pray that this rather modern and forward interpretation helps you look at this woman in a different light and can see that it is possible to begin emulating the Proverbs 31 woman.
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