David Starr Jordan said, “Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.” He must have recognized King Solomon’s wisdom when he penned verses about a virtuous woman. Certainly, there was a need for such a woman in those days, and so much more a need for her today. Virtue sets a high standard, and few in our modern society measure up. But with all standards, virtue is a stick to measure our distance from the stars, not a battering ram to open the gates of hell.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above.” –Proverbs (31:10, KJV)
King Solomon of ancient times realized the importance of virtue. He didn’t say a beautiful woman’s price is far above rubies. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world. In fact, even the plainest of women, with the help of makeup and photo touching, can be made gorgeous. He didn’t say a talented woman’s price was far above rubies. There are plenty of talented stars who reign in Hollywood, but they are a dime a dozen. Real beauty comes in virtue. The strength to think right, pray right and to do right no matter what the circumstances. More than that, she knows what is right and is led by her well-trained conscience.
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” –Proverbs (31:11, KJV)
Once I heard the saying, “It is better to be trusted than to be loved.” Since I have raised teenagers, I know you can love someone deeply and not have confidence that they will be obedient and stay out of trouble. You must follow up in school, activities, on dates and even in church. The media is full of juicy news stories, movies and songs where wives are unfaithful to their husbands. The poor victims find themselves led into a trap by a handsome stranger, and in a weak moment they give up all for a titillating romp. They forget their husband, their family and their God. The only problem is there are very few traps in life. Instead, there are choices. The unfaithful fling doesn’t start with the wink of an eye from a stranger. It comes from meditation, a mindset and free wandering thoughts in front of the television or reading materials that promote infidelity. It comes from unbridled passion. Can you imagine how valuable a woman is to her husband who keeps her thoughts under lock and key? He has no need for revenge or the rewards of battle. He can peacefully expect his woman to be his and his alone. The virtuous woman doesn’t disappoint him.
“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” –Proverbs (31:12, KJV)
The first concern of a virtuous woman is her husband and family. She spends her time in service to her loved ones.
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” –Proverbs (31:13, KJV)
It is difficult for a busy woman to be unfaithful. With our many modern conveniences, it is easy to run out of housework, but there are myriads of things to keep a virtuous mind occupied. There are ancient arts that are being abandoned by lesser women. Instead of surfing the net, why not crochet, knit or quilt? Why not raise a garden? Why not make your own clothes? Virtuous women are industrious. They keep their minds busy as well as their hands. In a virtuous woman’s mind, self-talk consists of creating. Virtuous women ask questions and make connections. She prays quietly in her heart as well as vocally asking for the Lord’s help on every decision. How in the world could she possibly fall into a trap and do her husband wrong?
“She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” –Proverbs (31:14, KJV)
A virtuous woman is concerned about nutrition and the health of her family. She looks for bargains and ways to save and bless her family.
“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” –Proverbs (31:15, KJV)
A virtuous woman lives by the adage: “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” She cares for everyone. Her family comes first, but those who work for her are also important. She may not have employees, but there is the proverbial butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker who bless her life. A virtuous woman finds ways to bless others.
“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” –Proverbs (31:16, KJV)
A virtuous woman plans for the future. She is not content with just letting life happen. She is pro-active. In our world, women don’t plant vineyards, but they set up savings accounts, put food in storage for winter and prepare for children’s education and future well-being.
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” –Proverbs (31:17, KJV)
Exercise is an important part of a virtuous woman’s routine. She may not go to the spa or run marathons, but she walks and does a variety of things that will keep her body in shape. She knows that if she is weak, she will not be able to meet the needs of her husband and family.
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” –Proverbs (31:18, KJV)
A woman of virtue has a good self-image. Her creations will be met with, “and God saw that it was good.” She will not berate herself and compare herself to the latest beauty queen. Her self-image comes from God. She sees herself as a beloved daughter of God, and she will never sell herself short.
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” –Proverbs (31:19, KJV)
She is conservative and frugal. She knows the more she saves, the more she will have to share.
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” –Proverbs (31:20, KJV)
She cannot see a need and not do her best to fill that need.
"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.” –Proverbs (31:21-22, KJV)
She doesn’t fear the future because she has made adequate preparation today. She realizes that God will care for her and her loved ones if she does her part.
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” –Proverbs (31:23, KJV)
A virtuous woman brags about her husband in the marketplace and in the beauty shop. She lets everyone know he is the best. When she is filled with praise for her husband, she can’t think of the other fellow’s muscles and good looks.
“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor 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.” –Proverbs (31:24-26, KJV)
To have wisdom flow from her tongue, she must first be educated with wisdom. A virtuous woman reads and ponders. She seeks out of the best books words of wisdom. When she finds a treasure, she is willing to share. She is a woman of kindness. Virtue and a loud brawling voice do not go together. One repels the other. Her voice, like the Lord’s, is a still, small voice. Her voice may be gentle and filled with love, but it is firm and unshakable in the face of temptation or in matters of discipline.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” –Proverbs (31:27, KJV)
A virtuous woman will not accept credit for something she has not done. She will work and teach her children to work. She doesn’t sit by the fire and give orders; she gets her hands dirty in the teaching of her little ones.
“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. Favor 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.” –Proverbs (31:28-31, KJV)
Virtue begins in the heart and it will, if fostered, fill the whole world. As Jordan said, “Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it.”
