July 11-12 - Proverbs 31:10

My son, Jay, arrives “home” today.

His eight-month deployment is over!

(Thanks for your prayers for him!!!)

 

That means this series of devotions ends too.

(I’ve been writing -- in-part -- as Pre-Marital Counseling

for Jay and his fiancé while they were separate by oceans!)

 

This has been one of the best-received series I’ve done.

For a few weeks, I’ll go simpler (but still deep!) – Psalms.

But let me know future topics that might interest you!

 

 

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

^NIV

 

Yesterday, we listed the ideal traits of an ideal husband. (“Ideal” should be read, of course, as “godly” – because “godly traits” ultimately make an “ideal husband.”)

 

Today, we list the ideal traits of an ideal wife – “a wife of noble character.” And there is no place better to go to find a listing of these godly qualities than Proverbs 31!

 

Check these attributes – men, regarding the woman that you’re considering marrying; and women, concerning your own heart …

 

__ Is Noble ^{Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find?}

__ Values Character Highly (in Herself) ^{Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find?}

__ Is Trustworthy ^{Proverbs 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her}
__ Seeks to Bless Others ^{Proverbs 31:12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.}

__ Works Eagerly (whether at home or outside the home) ^{Proverbs 31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.}

__ Sacrifices for Other ^{Proverbs 31:15 She gets up while it is still night}

__ Attends to the Needs of Others ^{Proverbs 31:15 she provides food for her family}
__ Acts Wisely and Prudently ^{Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.}

__ Works Hard ^{Proverbs 31:17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.}

__ Is Wise Financially ^{Proverbs 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.}

__ Is Generous and Compassionate ^{Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.}

__ Is Proactive ^{Proverbs 31:21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.}

__ Is Frugile ^{Proverbs 31:22 She makes her own bedspreads.}

__ Values Character Highly (in others, and especially in the man she will marry) ^{Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.}

__ Is Strong ^{Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;}

__ Is Dignified ^{Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;}

__ Laughs Easily ^{Proverbs 31:25 she can laugh at the days to come.}

__ Is Wise ^{Proverbs 31:26 She speaks with wisdom}

__ Knows When to Speak and with Her Speech, Builds Others Up (Rather than Tearing them Down) ^{Proverbs 31:26 She speaks with wisdom}

__ Shepherds and Teaches ^{Proverbs 31:26 and faithful instruction is on her tongue.}

__ Is Attentive ^{Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household}

__ Is Not Lazy ^{Proverbs 31:27 and does not eat the bread of idleness.}

__ Prioritizes the Raising of Children ^{Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed}

__ Brings Delight to Her Husband ^{Proverbs 31:28 her husband … call[s] her blessed, and he praises her}

__ Surpasses the Standard of the World ^{Proverbs 31:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”}

__ Values the Permanence of Faith over the Temporary Nature of Beauty and Charm ^{Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.}

Question: Women, read Proverbs 31 in its entirety below. How are you doing with this list?! First, be encouraged by what you are doing right! Then … in what ways might you grow to bring honor to your home?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who is gratefully married

to a woman of noble character

 

 

¹⁰ 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.