Proverbs 31 THE IMPACT OF VIRTUE The book of Proverbs begins with a young man being told by his parents his need of “the fear of the Lord.” It ends with a description of a virtuous woman and her impact on others because she fears the Lord. A consciousness of God with us all through the experiences of life is fundamental to living life as it should be. The reverential respect of our Lord is what makes this possible. Lemuel’s mother knew what she was talking about when her inspired instructions to her son were given. She knew her son, but she also knew people. Her example provides good spiritual instruction, and the common sense needed by any leader. The husband who wrote about a virtuous, noble wife, described ideal womanhood as the last message of the book of Proverbs.
Lemuel’s name means “devoted to God.” That gives a bit of insight to the motivation behind the teaching his mother gave him. She obviously loved her son, had nurtured him and sacrificed for him. But even more, he was the object of her prayers to the extent there were vows made concerning him similar to the vows of Hannah in regard to Samuel. The relationship she had with her son, gave weight to what she warned him about. Sexual excess was common to kings and leaders in those days, and perhaps still is today. Those immoral actions will bring a leader down to where he is ruined and even despised because of his self-indulgence.
She also knew that leaders who are drunkards are not to be trusted. Decision making and leadership responsibilities are compromised when a leader loses his moral compass. His judgments will be colored by his activities in which he may think he is above the law. Justice is perverted and those who have been burdened down by oppression are further oppressed by a drunk leader. There is some justification for a person who is dying in physical pain to seek relief in alcohol to deaden the pain. Alcohol deadens the senses to a degree, and can relieve stress but only should be used in those medicinal ways. A leader’s responsibility is to promote justice and equality for those who can’t speak for themselves. His balanced judgment is needed to do what is needed to maintain order in a nation where there are all classes of people.
Whoever was the husband who wrote the last part of this last chapter, he took the time needed, guided by the Holy Spirit, to make this poem using the Hebrew alphabet in a poetic way, to describe everything of worth in this word picture of the ideal woman and wife. The wisdom she has is above the value that is visibly seen. In fact, her visual appearance isn’t even addressed here. Her beauty was deeper and far more attractive that meets the eye. Her character is lofty. Her virtue gives her husband full confidence in her to pass over to her the checkbook, credit card and everything else of value they shared in common.
She is consistent in all her ways and her motivation is to bless people rather than demand. Her family and husband know she is absolutely trustworthy. She doesn’t settle back and let things come her way, but steps out and makes things happen. She uses both her head and her hands. She thinks intelligently and positively. She takes initiative in work and accomplishes what she sets out to do. This industrious lady doesn’t need classes in time-management. She is organized and knows when she has to start each day in order to fulfill her plans and responsibilities.
When the opportunity comes to get ahead, she thinks about it before acting, and yet is resourceful to the extent she can visualize what can be done profitably. Knowing what needs to be done, she is not afraid to go to work and do it rather than depending on others. The more she labors, the stronger she gets in every way. When something is going good and is profitable, she doesn’t quit at quitting time. She finishes her task even if she works into the night. She is satisfied with her work and makes enough profit to keep her lamp burning through the night for safety and testimony.
There are times when it is enough to use your intelligence, and there are times when you need to use your hands. This wise woman saw a way to make a product that could be used to help meet the needs of her family and also help meet the needs of others. So, she made cloth to sell. She doesn’t wait for the poor to come to her in shame and embarrassment with hands held out. She goes to them and offers what she has from her hands to theirs. This ideal wife looks ahead to the needs she knows are ahead, and prepared two layers of clothes for the cold weather that she knew would come. At the same time, she makes the family home a place of special beauty and comfort. Home and all that happens there, is important to her, and likely her children and husband too.
This noble woman knows who she is and her role and responsibilities in life. She also knows who her husband is and his role and responsibilities in life. She supports him, but doesn’t try to take his place in his leadership in the community. Her skills are used to supply home needs, and also to sell for income to meet the family’s needs with a home-business. That gives her opportunity to connect with the business community and also establish and reinforce the reputation of her husband and herself as prudent people. Strength and honor are opposite to moral weakness and disgrace. She doesn’t compromise her character, but when she sees people wearing clothes made from the cloth she produced, she will have satisfaction and maybe some joy. Her conscience is clear and her principles for living a righteous life are intact.
A conversation with this woman would be enjoyable because she has something to say that is wise, useful and helpful. She doesn’t have a sharp tongue with a cutting edge, but speaks the truth that is needed at the moment. To be a career house wife is probably one of the hardest jobs there is, and in the long run is the most rewarding. When one has invested themselves in the life of living people, especially your own children, there is great satisfaction. Our children don’t stay in the rebellious teen years forever. They day comes when they will appreciate their mother. All she did for them will be worth the effort when they tell her how much they appreciate her investment in them. The husband of such a woman will openly express his appreciation of her and will tell her she is the best wife of all.
This remarkable woman has beauty of character that far surpasses any and all outward appearances of beauty. The outward passes away because it is fleeting by nature. The inward beauty grows and keeps growing more beautiful as the years pass. We marry a person, not a face, and a person who fears the Lord will have our highest respect and reputation. Real praise for such a person will be because of who she is and what she does through industry, humility, integrity, ingenuity, and spirituality. That is how and why lasting honor will come and last.