The Virtuous Woman: Wisdom in the Flesh. At the very end of the book of Proverbs we find the word of God describing a Virtuous Woman, or, as she is called a Woman of Noble Character. The passage describing her is 22 verses long, and is set apart from the rest of the book by being written as an acrostic, with each verse of the passage starting with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet (which consists of 22 letters) in order. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The passage is so magnificent, and the woman described so admirable, that we often focus on this passage independent of the context of the book in which it is written, and the culture in which it takes place. When looked at in light of these, this already glorious passage takes on a whole new depth of meaning. And when, in addition to this, we consider the only woman in the Bible explicitly described as a virtuous woman -- Ruth -- we get an even fuller picture. But lets start by asking a question that seldom gets asked: Why is this portrait sitting at the end of this book? And why is this passage so important that God marked it out from the rest of the book by setting it in an acrostic? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proverbs is a book about wisdom. And at the end of the very first chapter in Proverbs we are introduced to another woman: Wisdom. This woman is the most important character (excluding God, of course!) in the book -- and what a woman she is! She is pure, strong, wise (of course!), bold, honest, generous, compassionate. And shes standing out in the public square, calling out to whoever will listen, offering them the keys to long life, to prosperity, to a good reputation. And thats where the culture becomes important. In our culture, theres nothing strange about this picture. Why shouldnt Wisdom be a woman? Whats important isnt whether shes a woman or a man, but what shes saying. But in the culture in which this was written, this picture was startling to say the least. Where is this womans father or husband? Where is the man who is responsible for her, to whom she has to answer? Why is she out in the streets trying to teach men, when she should be at home, minding her own business? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And why should any man be at all interested in anything this woman has to say? And right here is one of the most important lessons we can learn about Wisdom: Wisdom doesnt always come the way you expect it. Wisdom wont necessarily come from someone you want to listen to, or someone you respect. But if you really want to be wise, youll ignore the outward form and listen anyway. Will you recognize Wisdom when it comes to you? What if it looks like a small child? Or a day laborer? Or that co-worker you cant stand? Or your boss or subordinate? Or your own spouse? Will you recognize wisdom in the middle of a heated argument? Or in the heat of passion? Or in the middle of being bored out of your skull? If we really want Wisdom, weve got to get to the place where we recognize Gods voice no matter who Hes speaking to us through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Theres another woman introduced to us in Proverbs. She, too, is out in the street, calling out to men. But her message is a whole lot different. She knows what men need, and she has what they want. Shes out for a good time, and shes looking for a man who knows how to have fun. Her name is Folly, and woe to the man who catches her. For him, joy may endure for the night, but weeping will come in the morning. So where does the Virtuous Woman fit in? Look at her: She is the embodiment of Wisdom. She is Wisdom in the flesh, walking down your streets, living in your home. She is Wisdom, right where you least expect to find her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proverbs 31 gives us a list of characteristics of the Virtuous Woman. The first thing it tells us about her is that she is priceless. Proverbs 31:10 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Notice that the same statement is made about Wisdom in this same book. Proverbs 3:13-15. 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proverbs 8:11 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Only one other thing is compared to rubies in the entire book of Proverbs: the lips of knowledge; and these hardly seem unrelated to Wisdom. Proverbs 20:15 20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Starting in verse 11 of Proverbs 31 we have a list of characteristics of the Virtuous Woman. Proverbs 31:11-27. 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 31:14 She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengthened her arms. 31:18 She perceived that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is not a picture of a barefoot and pregnant housewife. This woman is trustworthy, diligent, independent, and generous.. She has her own business, her own income, her own property. Its tempting to make a list of these characteristics and to try to use them to determine who is and who isnt a Virtuous Woman, but its not that easy. This is not a complete catalog of characteristics, but rather a sample portrait. The characteristics that make up Wisdom are going to look different in each Virtuous Woman. We see this when we look at Ruth. She is the only woman in the Bible specifically referred to as a Virtuous Woman. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruth 3:11 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. At the time Boaz called Ruth a Virtuous Woman, she was unmarried, without children, unsuccessful, living in poverty, a stranger in a strange land. On the outside, Ruth looked nothing like the woman described in Proverbs 31; but the character that made the Virtuous Woman who she was lived inside Ruth, and could be clearly discerned by those who looked carefully at her. She was not a native Israelite, but rather a Moabite. Yet she had forsaken the gods of her youth, and followed wholeheartedly after the God of Israel. Hers was not a casual conversion, or a conversion of convenience. She had a family in Moab that she could have gone home to, who could have seen to it that she was cared for and protected for the rest of her life, or she could have remarried among her own people; but she didnt do that. Like Moses, she chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:25.) Boaz, recognizing her for the treasure she was, married her at the first opportunity, even though it cost him to do it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The chief characteristic of the Virtuous Woman is her fear of the Lord. We hardly need to mention that Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 31:28-31. 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 31:30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that Earth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. The book of Proverbs begins with Wisdom personified. It ends with Wisdom manifested in the flesh. Its purpose is that this same Wisdom be manifested in the lives of those who read it and carry out its instruction. Blessings to the readers of these Proverbs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:34:31 +0000
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