Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Women of the Bible - The Virtuous Woman

 image credit

Last week, at the graveside service for my Mamaw, the pastor who is a family friend told us that he had never used the scripture from Proverbs 31:10-31 at a funeral service....but that was what he chose to read from as Mamaw was laid to rest.  So, as I thought about what woman to talk about today, I wanted to do a  bit of research on the virtuous woman.  I've always loved this scripture, but have never felt that I even  come close to the woman with all those amazing attributes!
(although Pappy says differently....:-)

I found a web-site - Proverbs 31 Woman - that broke down each verse in such a beautiful way that I would love to share with you all!

Proverbs 31:10-31 

Her Character as a Wife

Rare and precious
Who can find a virtuous woman?
      She is more precious than rubies.

Trustworthy
 Her husband can trust her,
      and she will greatly enrich his life.

Kind
  She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.

 Her Devotion as a Homemaker

  Works joyfully
She finds wool and flax
      and busily spins it.

 Goes the extra mile to get the choicest goods
She is like a merchant’s ship,
      bringing her food from afar.

  Disciplined
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
      and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

Knows how to handle money
  She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
      with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

 Energetic
She is energetic and strong,
      a hard worker.

 Good steward
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
      her lamp burns late into the night.

Diligent
Her hands are busy spinning thread,
      her fingers twisting fiber.

 Her Generosity as a Neighbor

 Compassionate and Generous
She extends a helping hand to the poor
      and opens her arms to the needy.

  Her Devotion as a Homemaker

 Provides for the future
She has no fear of winter for her household,
      for everyone has warm clothes.

 Elegant
She makes her own bedspreads.
      She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

 Influential
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
      where he sits with the other civic leaders.

 Industrious
She makes belted linen garments
      and sashes to sell to the merchants.

 Her Influence as a Teacher

 Poised
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
      and she laughs without fear of the future.

 Wise
When she speaks, her words are wise,
      and she gives instructions with kindness.

 Her Effectiveness As a Mother

 Manages Her Home
She carefully watches everything in her household
      and suffers nothing from laziness.

 Praiseworthy
 Her children stand and bless her.
      Her husband praises her:

Distinguished
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
      but you surpass them all!”

 Her Excellence As a Person

God-fearing
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
      but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
 
 Honored
Reward her for all she has done.
      Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.


Conclusions:
I've met several women in my lifetime who meet these "qualifications" to be classified as a virtuous woman.  Here's one of my favorite of these verses....

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last,
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

That's the legacy that I want to leave behind.  
I want to be remembered as a woman who loved her Jesus....and tried her best to obey Him!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

5 comments:

  1. That's such a great outline of those verses. God's Word - whether history, prophecy, poetry, gospel or epistle - is full of challenge & encouragement, isn't it?!

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  2. Oh wow deb I love your image today ..how awesome is that? I pray that one day when one looks at me they see not rhonda but for the eyes to behold Christ. I have visited the Proverbs Woman site before it is really enjoyable....thanks for the post on my blog this a.m....your're the best...Jesus is what bonds us together < he is our glue > what an awesome sister you are: I'm blessed by all measures

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  3. Although we have never met physically, I have felt your strong testimony of our Savior. Your desire to be remembered as a woman of God is the same desire I have. When you return home HE will know you, of that I'm sure.

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  4. Amen to what Becky Jane said. You are a wonderful woman. I love those verses. Hope I can live up to them.

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  5. What a beautiful tribute to your Mamaw. What a wonderful legacy she left you!

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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24