A proverb 31 woman in this day and age? Is it possible?

Who is the proverb 31 woman? Lemuel wrote that his mother told him about this woman. We don’t know the basis of the story – It might have been who his mother was or the type of woman his mother wanted him to marry.

As Christians we know the bible do not lie. Everything in it has come and will come to pass. The reason for the description of the Proverb 31 woman is for Christian women to be like her...

A proverb 31 woman in this day and age? Is it possible?

Yes it is. Proverbs 31 woman is any woman who puts God first. The ideal woman of Proverbs 31 should encourage all women everywhere. Cultures changes, but this woman’s God-inspired character still shines brightly across the centuries.

Before I began to study the scriptures, I was very intimidated by this woman. This woman is the Crème de La crème of all women. I felt I couldn’t measure up to her. She is too ideal for today’s generation. Every godly woman wants to be like her but also dislike her because of her perfection. We believe we can’t measure up to her no matter how hard we try.

I have since realized that there are a lot of Proverb 31 woman in our generation. We are close to her more than we think. Even though, she is depicted as a married woman, a single woman can also be a proverb 31 woman. We will analyze the passage together and see how we measure up.

I will start from Proverbs 31 vs. 10. Put a Yes or No to every statement.

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

Are you a woman of valor? – a strong and capable woman who can use her intuition wisely and listen to God

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

Do your husband/ family have full confidence in you? Does your industriousness add to the family income?

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

Do you do right even when it’s not convenient and profitable? Are you reliable?

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

Do you shop carefully for clothing for your family? Do you work willing?

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls

Do you get up early to start your chores and make sure you have the daily menu planned for your family? You don't just go to the corner convenience store to buy your supplies. You shop for quality within your budget. Sometimes you let your light shine and give little treats to your coworkers or neighbors?

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Have you been involved in the process of choosing and buying a home? Do you know what rents and house prices are in your neighborhood? Have you even taken some of your money to beautify your investment?

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

Do you keep yourself relatively physically fit and not afraid to "roll up your sleeves?" Looking after a home and family can, at times, be hard work.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

Are you a productive woman? Whether you are working away from the house or taking care of the home and family. Do you know your way around the bank and supermarket? Are you on the growing edge and not afraid to learn new things?

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers

Can you use a thread and needle? Can you mend holes and split seams when it's necessary?

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

Is your family your only concern? Do you have a heart for the needy people in your community? Do you give to the food bank on occasion, and help out when a neighboring mom is ill. Charity is part of God's plan for Christians.

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.

Do you provide clothing for the family? It is one of her responsibilities. She takes this seriously, and plans ahead. She does not practice crisis management. This woman has high standards and dresses properly for the occasion.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Do you pray for your husband? Do you stand with him in all things...? This man does not have to spend half his time trying to straighten out problems at home and his success in the social world comes partly from her support, just as her success comes partly from his support. The original woman of Proverbs 31 couldn’t phone her husband for his opinion on matters. She made many of the day-to-day decisions about their property and goods. He trusted her to manage the estate efficiently.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Could you manage my own home-based business? This woman runs a business from her home. Her efforts and industry add to the family income

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

Are you confident that God is in control? He gives you strength and dignity. Your relationship with Jesus Christ gives you the confidence to not always be worrying about the future.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Do you speak words that are wise and true? Do your friends trust you to speak the truth? This woman is well read and has the facts. She knows what she is talking about. Whether about her job, her personal values or her opinion on world events, she is able to express herself intelligently, tactfully and diplomatically. People come to her for good advice.


27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Do you supervise your own household well? Are you an organized, energetic person who carries out her responsibilities?

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."

Are the praises directed towards you from your husband and children well earned? Are you trying your best to serve them through Jesus Christ? This woman is not a doormat, slavishly trying to appease and please her family, no matter how unreasonable their demands. She is honored in her home. Here we gain an insight into the character of her husband as well. He teaches their children to respect her and the virtues she personifies. A role model for women of all time

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Here is the key to this woman’s effectiveness. Her priorities are determined by God’s will, not her own. She is concerned about what God thinks, rather than with what other people think. Physical beauty and clever conversation are admirable qualities. But if a woman’s beauty and charm are the extent of her virtues, what happens when time and the trials of life take their toll? This woman does not depend on beauty and charm for her success. She recognizes her need for God.

Do you Fear the Lord?

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Her Christian works bring nice comments from friends and family, neighbors and coworkers. Her reward is eternity. This woman is actively doing, not merely talking. She does not boast about her plans for the future or her successes of the past. They are obvious

So, how did you do? Tally up your "Yes" and I think you will surprise yourself. The lines should now be erased between you and that "perfect" woman of the Old Testament. You are one and the same.