This is the second part of my study on the Proverbs 31 Woman. You can go back and read part one right here. I’m just going to jump right in with part two 🙂

What You Need to Know About the Proverbs 31 Woman…

She is Prepared

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” Proverbs 31:21

Here we see that the Proverbs 31 Woman is prepared. She is not afraid of the coming winter because she has already prepared the clothing her family needs. This takes foresight and diligence as well as good planning. Clearly, this woman is an excellent planner -she has to be! Just think of how blessed her family is by her good planning and “preparedness”. They don’t need to worry because they have all that they need under her good management.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is prepared.

She Dresses Well

“She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” Proverbs 31:22

Here we see that the Proverbs 31 Woman dresses well. Silk is a very beautiful and fine quality fabric. This woman doesn’t dress in a cheap or shabby way at all.

Not only does she wear silk, but she wears purple as well. The mention of the color purple is no coincidence, it does mean something. Back in Bible times, the color purple was a sign of wealth. Due to the expense involved with producing purple dye, it was usually the wealthy who wore clothing of purple fabric.

From this verse, I gather that the Proverbs 31 Woman…

• Focuses on quality (not quantity) when purchasing or making clothing
• Is neat (not sloppy) in her appearance
• Realizes that what she wears says something about her

This woman is wise and discerning in the everyday, daily matter of dress.

The Proverbs 31 Woman dresses well.

She has a Respected Husband

“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” Proverbs 31:23

Finally, we meet the “oh-so-blessed” husband of this wonderful lady. Her husband is a pretty amazing man as well. This verse tell us…

He is known in the gates – this is referring to the gates of the city. This is where the leaders and businessmen gathered. Men who worked and were known in the gates were not just ordinary men, but important, established and well-respected men.

He sits among the elders of the land – here we see her husband is associated with the wise and esteemed men of the land. Most likely these are not just older men but leaders and men of influence.

Her husband is both respectable and respected. Could it be possible that people respect her husband because they also respect and admire the wife who stands behind him? I believe so!

Other people respect her husband, but there is not doubt in my mind that the person who respects and esteems this man above all others it the Proverbs 31 Woman herself. She is her husband’s #1 supporter, helper, and friend (v. 11). I believe that she respects her husband even more than all the others.

The Proverbs 31 Woman has a respected husband.

She Is Business Minded

“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” Proverbs 31:24

We already saw that the Proverbs 31 Woman is industrious (read part one) and makes a profit with her merchandise (v. 18). Here again, we see her selling the quality work of her very own hands. She works hard so that she can bring in a profit for her family. As a result, her family is blessed.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is business minded.

She is Adorned with Honour

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31:25

Once again, we read about the clothing of the Proverbs 31 Woman. However, this time it’s not literal clothing but garments of character. There are three traits mentioned in this verse: strength, honour, and joy. Let’s focus on honour.

Honour – “magnificence, that is, ornament or splendor: – beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty” (Strong’s Concordance).

Wow! Because this woman is practically clothed in honour, this definition creates a wonderful picture in my mind. Actually, it makes me think of Proverbs 12:1:

“A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband…” Proverbs 12:1

A crown is a sign of honour and we know from verse 25 that this woman displays honour as if she’s clothed in it.  Let me say again, this woman is quite a treasure!

The Proverbs 31 Woman is adorned with honour.

She Speaks with wisdom and Kindness

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26

What a convicting verse! The tongue is such a difficult member of the body to control (James 3:2) and yet, the Proverbs 31 Woman seems to have learned the secret to a self-controlled tongue. When she uses her tongue we see that she speaks words of…

Wisdom – she is a wise woman, and when she speaks she is doing so in a wise manner. Not only are her words wise, but I believe she displays wisdom in the timing and tact of her words as well.

Kindness – her words are gentle and soothing, not rude, harsh or insensitive. Her family and friends know that when they speak to her, they will hear words of kindness.

The Proverbs 31 Woman speaks with wisdom and kindness.

She is Not Idle

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27

The Proverbs 31 Woman is an excellent home manager because she is not idle. She uses her time wisely and does not spend it up on worthless pursuits or pleasures. Always busy, yet choosing the best things, this woman is an excellent example of a productive homemaker.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is not idle.

She is Blessed and Praised 

“Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28

Here we see that both her children and her husband bless and praise her. They are beyond thankful for this wonderful wife and mother.

I was thrilled to see that the word “praiseth” means “to shine” (Strong’s). She has a husband who praises her for her excellent character and hard work. Her husband is proud to speak of her and she shines in the eyes of others because of his praise.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is blessed and praised.

She Excels

“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Proverbs 31:29

We just saw that the Proverbs 31 Woman shines, but she also excels. I can just imagine her husband speaking the words of this verse. The Proverbs 31 Woman stands out among all the others, she surpasses them.

The Hebrew word used for “excellest” means to “ascend” and the same Hebrew word is used in Isaiah 40:31:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount [ascend] up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Just like the eagle, this woman rises above the others.

The Proverbs 31 Woman excels.

She Fears the Lord

“Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

We have seen that the Proverbs 31 Woman is a woman of outstanding character and strength. I believe this verse contains her secret… she fears the Lord. The Proverbs 31 Woman honors, reverences, and loves the Lord. Because of her fear of the Lord she also values His Word and His promises.

The ultimate source of strength is the Lord (Philippians 4:13 and Isaiah 40:31). So, could it be that the key to becoming like the Proverbs 31 Woman is receiving the needed strength from the Lord? I think…yes!

The Proverbs 31 Woman fears the Lord.

She is Fruitful

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31

All throughout this passage of Scripture, we see the Proverbs 31 Woman using her hands. Now, at the end of the chapter we see her hard work and diligence paying off. Because of her hard work, she sees results. The Proverbs 31 Woman is worthy of having her name spoken of in the city gates.

“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

We reap what we sow. The Proverbs 31 Woman is the example of a woman that “sows” with diligence and determination and then reaps a bountiful and blessed harvest.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is fruitful.

Final Thoughts

This has been quite the study and the Proverbs 31 Woman is quite an example to follow. Please don’t let this study overwhelm or discourage you. Yes, she seems perfect in every way, but remember the most important thing:

“…a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Get to know the Proverbs 31 Woman, learn from her and try to follow her example. But, remember this: a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. Of all attributes and shining characteristics, the one the Lord values the most is a heart that fears Him.

So, if you want to follow the example of the Proverbs 31 Woman start right there. Become a woman who fears the Lord.

Until Next Week…

What characteristic of the Proverbs 31 Woman stands out the most to you? Feel free to leave your answer in the comment section. I ♥ hearing from my readers!

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