Proverbs 31
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Women are gaining more economic power. They start more businesses than men, and in 45% of marriages, woman are earning more than their husbands . In addition, by 2030, women will be in control of much of the $30 trillion in wealth from baby boomers. With more cash in their pocket, women have the potential to make large scale changes in their lives and in the lives of others.
In Proverbs 31, we see a depiction of a woman that is noble, virtuous, and worthy. This passage is spoken by a mother to her son and is a representation of a woman ready for marriage. The first line is a question: “who can find?” If we were to follow this as a list exactly, we would all be single, but if we look at the values associated with this excerpt, we can gain true wisdom.
The first essential quality that is apparent is a good work ethic. She wakes up early, working with eager hands that are honored by their fruits, and brings gifts from afar for her children. 44% of women are caregivers. That is someone that is paid or unpaid that helps children, family members, spouses, parents, or others with everyday activities. Whether it is taking care of kids, or being a CEO to a major firm, or both, the ideal woman does not stay idle.
In addition, the Proverbs 31 woman is strong mentally and physically. She does not let the darkness overcome her. She is even said to laugh at the days to come. Women are also more likely to hold onto their investments and wait when there is market volatility: 51% of women compared to 43% of men, and 43% of women feel prepared to handle future dips in the market. She spins the wheel in verse 19, it doesn’t spin her.
Another key component of this archetype is her ability to invest. She has her own earnings and decides to make a vineyard. 68% of women are saving for retirement in 2023. That is compared to 66% of women in 2019. 27% of women don’t save for retirement because they feel they don’t make enough. Thinking they should do more with their finances, paying off debt, tackling the cost of health care in retirement, and knowing how to invest and reach goals all factor into women’s ability to feel confident in their financial status. While 30% of women do not believe they will ever be able to retire, 60% of women are investing in the stock market in some form .
The Proverbs 31 woman is gentle, kind, wise. And all this inner beauty comes out of her fear of the Lord. She is praised by her ability to help the needy, provide for her family, and love others and herself. When the snow falls or the night comes, she is prepared. She has faith with a foundation.
Citations
“Enduring Word Bible Commentary Proverbs 31.” Enduring Word, 20 Sept. 2023, enduringword.com/bible-commentary/proverbs-31/.
October 2023 Women’s Study – Preview.Thenewsmarket.Com, preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/FINP/DocumentAssets/651505.pdf. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.
The Wealth Transfer from Baby Boomers Mostly Benefits Women, www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/16/women-economic-power-demographic-shifts/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.
“Women, Especially Younger Ones, Are Taking Retirement Saving Seriously, Surveys Show.” Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo!, finance.yahoo.com/news/women-especially-younger-ones-are-taking-retirement-saving-seriously-surveys-show-163008014.html?guccounter=1. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.
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