Becoming a Proverb 31 Woman
Lesson 1: Clothed in Strength and Dignity



The Proverb 31 woman is sometimes misrepresented. At times, she has been described as nothing more than a glorified maid.

But that is not who God says is more valuable than precious jewels.

That is not the standard that He has given you to aspire to.


Who Can Find a "Chayil" Woman?

Proverb 31: 10-31 KJV

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.
proverb 31 woman

The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a real woman.

You have probably always heard it translated as the "virtuous woman."

But it means so much more.

The Amplified Bible gets a bit closer to the heart of the matter by describing her as a "capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman" (Proverb 31:10 AMP).

That sounds better, but, it is still not quite what God has in mind for the woman He has destined you to become.

The Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary explains that the term "chayil" was used to describe great forces and armies. A woman said to be "chayil" would possess a certain strength, might, and power!

If you were a man going out to fight the good fight of faith, doesn’t that sound like someone you would want fighting on your side?

The Proverb 31 Woman is no wimp. She is a woman of great strength!


A Strong Christian Woman-
Isn't that An Oxymoron?

proverb 31 woman woman's strength

Living in the 21st century, we can sometimes get a skewed idea of what a strong woman is.

Is she the woman who always speaks her mind and doesn't need anyone's help?

The one who runs her household and is convinced that, if she lets her husband do it, he would just mess everything up?

Or is she the corporate tycoon who only has one child because she refuses to be distracted from her career?

Proverb 31 reveals what your Heavenly Father considers to be true strength.

As He describes this woman, He says that:

Strength and dignity are her clothing
and her position is strong and secure...
- Proverb 31:25 (AMP)

Wouldn't you love for your Heavenly Father to say that about you. That is what we all want, right?

But, we are not fighting against flesh and blood in this life. So the strength that you will need to accomplish God's will is not carnal (Ephesians 6:12).

Being able to work 60+ hours and still make time to keep the house clean and cook dinner is not where your true strength and value lies.

Jesus taught this same truth to Martha over two thousand years ago. But it is just as true today.

...a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
- Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

The woman God describes in Proverb 31 understands this.

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

How much time do you spend girding yourself spiritually for the daily tasks that God gives you? Time sitting at His feet, just like Mary did.

Sometimes, it's easy to be so busy running around doing things for God, that you forget all He really wants is your heart.

As I explained in our online Bible class on Living in the Spirit and experiencing constant fellowship with God, God's desire from the beginning of time has been to walk and talk with you in the cool of the day.   For His presence to be your constant source of comfort and strength, and His voice your ever present counsel.

You hear many wives complain that their husbands spend so much time at work trying to provide for them, that they have little to no time to spend with the family. These wives say they would rather have time alone with the one they love, than have them constantly working - Even though they are working for them.

God feels the same way about you. He would rather have time alone with the one He loves, than all of your work - Even when the work you are doing is really for Him.

It is only in that time alone communing with you that He can give you the strength that you will need to be the woman He designed you to be.

It is in the time you spend laying at His feet in fellowship with Him that your Father can truly clothe you in strength and dignity.  If you feel God calling you to a place of constant fellowship and communion with Him, I would highly recommend our online Bible Class, Living In The Spirit.  It will guide you step by step into a place where you can experience more of God's presence in your daily life, and hear His voice guiding you throughout each day.

Proverb 31 Bible Study Lesson 1

Reflection Questions

1. Does understanding the true meaning of "chayil" change the way that you see God's plan for you as a woman?

2. Do you ever fall into the trap of striving for the world's idea of a Strong Woman? Why or why not? If so, how can you safeguard yourself from doing this?

3. Do you feel that the example God gives you in Proverb 31 is attainable? Why or why not?

4. What are a few ways that you personally could make more time to be like Mary and sit at Jesus' feet?

The Proverb 31 Woman is in Fellowship with God


Charm and grace are deceptive,
and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting],
but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord,
she shall be praised!
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
- Proverb 31:30-31 (AMP)

We have established that the real strength of a woman does not lie in her physical accomplishments, but her spiritual ones.

The Virtuous Woman of Strength that God reveals in Proverb 31 exemplifies the importance of allowing everything that you do daily to flow out of your inner life with God. Doing everything each day as if it is unto your Lord. You will learn more about this in Lesson 2 of your Proverb 31 Woman Bible Study.


Finished with your Proverb 31 Woman Bible Study?
Click here to return to your Virtuous Women's Bible Study Course.
OR
Return from the Proverb 31 Woman to The Hem's Bible Study Online Homepage.




Revival Starts Within!


Are you ready for your own personal revival?
Be Empowered: Listen in on my powerful class on How to truly CONNECT With God! Be Inspired: Allow God's Word to refresh you through The Reaching for the Hem eDevotional.

Let's Start a Holy Ghost Revolution!

Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you The Hem Devotional.