Becoming a Proverb 31 Woman:
Lesson 2: Let Her Works Praise Her

Will A Real Proverb 31 Woman Please Step Forward?

The Proverb 31 Woman

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.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

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.

I can still remember the first time I truly understood what God created women to be. I had finally met a real Proverb 31 woman.

Sure, I had met other Christian women who thought they were. But, this woman was different.

God had clothed her in something I had never seen before in the flesh - Gentle strength.

In her was a perfect earthly example of Jesus – The lion and the lamb.

She wasn’t mousy. But, she wasn’t bossy.

She exuded the very love of God. And everything that she did, flowed out of that love.

Whatever may be your task,
work at it heartily (from the soul),
as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men]
that you will receive the inheritance
which is your [real] reward.
[The One Whom] you are actually serving
[is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).
- Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP)

Everything that the Proverb 31 Woman does flows out of her inner life with God. That time alone sitting at His feet that we discussed in Lesson 1. It gives her the strength and power that she needs to do everything each day as if it is unto her Lord.

Side Note:
If you have not completed
Lesson 1 of the Proverb 31 Woman Bible Study,
you may want to do so before you complete lesson 2. That lesson is definitely the foundation that we will be building on here

A Servant’s Heart Begins at Home

Whether she is serving the needy or preparing meals for her children, the Proverb 31 woman realizes that it is not a menial task. It is one of honor and dignity because it brings glory to her Father that sent her.

This is one of the things that we have lost in this generation. Many woman no longer recognize the dignity and honor of keeping a home for their families.

Somehow, women have begun to believe that their life outside of the home is more important than their life inside of the home. That serving our families is somehow insignificant or just an inconvenient hassle.

But, God tells us that a real woman "Looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat" (Proverb 31:27 AMP).

I’ve always wanted God to give me a ministry to bless His people. One day, as I was seeking Him for a way to serve others, He brought to my mind this very revealing question: How can I give you people to serve, when you won’t even serve the husband I’ve given you with a good attitude?

Where was my servant's heart towards him? No, I did not complain out loud. But, my heart was full of self-pity.

I allowed thoughts like 'I have to work outside of the home too!' and 'Why doesn't he help out more?' to flood my mind.

Little did I know that these negative thoughts were very quickly robbing me of two of God's most important rewards for servant-hood – His joy and His peace.

Answering God's Call

She opens her hand to the poor,
yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy
[whether in body, mind, or spirit].
-Proverb 31:20 (AMP)

I love how the Amplified Bible specifies that a Proverb 31 Woman opens her "filled hands to the needy whether in body, mind, or spirit" (Proverb 31:20 AMP).

As God's Proverb 31 Woman, you can not afford to let your cup get empty. You must be continually strengthened physically, mentally, and spiritually in order to reach out and fill the cups of those around you.

She girds herself with strength
[spiritual, mental, and physical fitness
for her God-given task]...
-Proverb 31:17 (AMP)

Each of us has a specific task that God has called us to. Sometimes it can be easy to hide behind our femininity and pretend that God has not given us a calling. But that is just not so.

There are needy people out there. Some are needy physically. Others are struggling mentally and spiritually. But, regardless of their pain, God loves them.

And He wants to work through you to reach out to them.

This is why it is so important that you make time to spend alone seeking the face of God. This allows Him to fill your hand, so that you can open it and bless His children.

The Proverb 31 Working Woman?

She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them...
-Proverb 31:24 (AMP)

Proverb 31 Woman balancing family work scale

Did I read that right - The Proverb 31 Woman works?

She can. But there is a huge difference between the way that we see working women today and the woman described in Proverb 31.

God’s woman understands that contributing to the Family’s Finances is not her first priority.

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]...
-Proverb 31:16 (AMP)

This is what many of us have lost.

Most women, Christian and non, who work outside of the home begin to put their job before the needs of their families. It is not purposeful. But, there is only so much of you to go around.

If we are honest, by the time many of us working women finally get home, we are totally spent!

Then there are still meals to be made and chores to be done.

A Proverb 31 Woman’s gentle strength brings order and peace to her home. But, an exhausted woman often has none of that left to give.

Yes, a Proverb 31 Woman can provide a financial contribution to her family. But it should not be at the family’s expense.

Would you rather get a promotion, or here your family call you:

...blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied);
and your husband boasts of and praises you, [saying],
Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well
[with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
but you excel them all.
-Proverb 31:28-29 (AMP-bold words altered)

Becoming a Proverb 31 Woman is not easy. But, then again, you are not really the one who does most of the work.

All you do is take yourself before the Lord, and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. You humble yourself before Him and ask Him to show you what areas He wants to mold and change.

And, you walk in obedience to His leading.

In the end, you will taste and see that the fruit of your work with and for God is good (Proverb 31:18 AMP).

And your Father in Heaven will smile and say:

Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
-Proverb 31:31 (AMP).

Proverb 31 Woman Lesson 2

Reflection Questions

1. Do you feel like you are reaching the standard set by the Proverb 31 woman? If not, what areas do you need God's help in?

2. What is one thing that God has really brought before your heart through this study? Write it down so that you can reflect on it later on.

3. If you work outside of the home, or even have a work at home business, are there any areas where you know in your heart that your family needs more than you are able to give? Pray and ask God to show you how to meet those needs of those most important to you.

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