Musings on a Famous Lady

In continuing my study in the book of Ruth, I came across an interesting statement in the devotional book I'm reading. I think it's safe to say that we are all familiar, if only vaguely, with the concept of the Virtuous Woman so thoroughly described in Proverbs 31. According to my devotional, the only other mention of a virtuous woman, is found in Boaz's description of Ruth in Ruth chapter 3.

I think it is also safe for me to assume that most of us are familiar with Ruth's story as well. Her declaration to her mother-in-law, Naomi, of "where you go I go..." is well known, even in the secular world.

I've read Proverbs 31: 10-31 many times, but have always thought of it as good advice to save for later when I'm actually a wife. However, my study today encouraged me to break down the activities in which this Virtuous Woman was engaged, based on the following categories: Relational Duties, Household Duties, Business Duties, and Devotional Duties. As I read through the passage again, with the above categories in mind, I was surprised as to how many ways I see that I can apply these virtues to my every day life NOW. Not just in the future when I'm someones wife. These are a few of my favorite verses from the chapter:

V. 25- Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

V. 26- She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

V. 27- She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

V. 30- Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

This woman is a busy lady. As women today juggle the demands of raising kids and working, and as those of us who are not even yet married walk through our sometimes too busy lives, we share a common goal in our busy-ness, and that is to be the Bride of Jesus Christ Himself. 

In the most mundane of days and in the busiest of days, the Proverbs 31 Woman is clothed with strength and honor. The Bible teaches us that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Verse 26 says clearly that when she opens her mouth, wisdom flows from it and her tongue practices kindness. So that tells me that in spite of the busy-ness of life itself, she is still making time to maintain closeness with God. The Bible also teaches us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked...no one can know it. If kindness and wisdom are coming from her mouth, it is because the LORD's wisdom and love are filling her heart. The love of Jesus cannot overflow from your heart and out of your mouth unless you're spending time with in prayer and in the study of His Word.

Verse 16 says, " She considers a field and buys it." This tells me that her decisions are carefully considered and prayerfully made. 

Verse 20 says, " she stretches her hands to the poor, she reaches her hands to the needy." She is not so wrapped up in her own life, the she is unaware and  complacent towards the needs of others. 

I know that for me, these are areas that I can work on. I want my decisions to be more carefully considered and God led, no matter how trivial they may seem. I want to fulfill the promises that I make to pray for others and their needs. I want to reach out and be of service, even if doing so takes me out of my comfort zone. Lastly, I want be so filled with the love of Jesus that His light shines through me and that his love is ever present in the thoughts that I think towards others and the the words that I speak to them, as well. 

Well, ladies of Blog Land...those are my humble musings on the Virtuous Woman. I encourage each of you to read Proverbs 31: 10-31 again for yourselves. Grab a piece of paper and write down the 4 categories I mentioned earlier, and then break down the Virtuous Woman's actions accordingly. Consider what areas in your life you can be more like her. I know I have a lot of work to do!

I would love to hear which verses from this chapter are your favorites and why.

To my male readers...remember...all scripture is applicable to all of us...it won't hurt you to read this chapter either. Ha.

I look forward to hearing from you all in the comments section of the post.

Happy Reading! 

* All scriptures are taken from the King James Version.
** Study and category references are taken from Living Beautifully: A study in the Books of Ruth and Esther. By Lenya Hetzig and Penny Rose.