Proverbs 31:16

Proverbs 31:(16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

As we've carefully examined the character of a Proverbs 31 woman so far (verses 10-15), we can confidently assess that a Biblically submissive wife is not what the world would like to make her out to be. She is not feeble, she is not ignorant, she is not a fool, nor is she uneducated and unfamiliar with hard work and tumultuous trials.

Considers – Strong’s 3754 – זמם – kerem = thinks about, devises, plans, considers, purposes.

From her earnings – This is actually a two part phrase in the Hebrew, translated “with the fruit of her hands” in the King James Version.

Fruit – Strong’s 6529 – פּרי – perîy = fruit (literally or figuratively): fruit of the ground (produce); fruit of the womb (offspring); or figuratively, fruit of one’s actions.

Hands – Strong’s 3709 – כּף - kaph = the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.

I like the idea of “the hollow hand.” It gives an image of starting with nothing, as something hollow is empty.  The Excellent Woman doesn’t take from others to benefit her own plans, rather she relies on her own abilities. And how does she manage that?  From the household accounts? With a loan? Rather, from her own earnings.  It confirms that she is industrious.

In verse 15, we saw that she managed her household in a well planned, organized fashion.  Here, we see how she manages her money.  She has her own earnings which she carefully considers how to spend.  She does not use it wastefully or frivolously. She does not use it on fleeting pleasures, or things that can be used up or depreciate in value.  Rather, she purchases something with the potential to give her a return: a field in which she can plan a vineyard.

I find the vineyard to be much like the rib. Strong and hearty, yet delicate at the same time. Grapes grow better on a hillside (where most other produce can not thrive) as well as grow in "not so spectacular" soil. It is strong, hearty and unusual in that it appears to be quite "low maintenance"....as far as choosing the land in which it is planted. But once it's planted, it needs some Tender Loving Care to survive. It needs to be covered when the winter comes, it needs to be pruned regularly so that it will produce large, beautiful grapes and it needs a trellis to hold it up, because its branches are so delicate, it can't hold the weight of the hearty fruit it bears.

The analogies that comes to mind regarding the similarities between the grapes and a Proverbs 31 woman:

1. She is special. She grows under conditions in which no other woman would be able to thrive.
2. She doesn't need special "soil" (things from this world, i.e., expensive jewelry, clothes, or other indulgences), she only requires lots of exposure to the Son.
3. She grows on a hillside - the steeper the better. This enables her to "drain" any excess and unneeded "water" (weight) so that she is not saturated by the burdens of this world, which would drown her and hinder her growth.
4. Because the soil she is planted in is so porous, she has to dig deep into her Foundation (Christ Jesus) so her roots will be firm and strong.
5. To produce healthy and robust fruit, she MUST be pruned regularly so her leaves (outward beauty and desires of the flesh) do not "steal" all the nutrients necessary in order for her to bear much fruit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Although her "roots" are strong (because they are founded in Jesus), she still needs a trellis (her husband) to stand tall and hold up her delicate branches so that her fruit is not trampled on, dirtied or injured in any way.
7. And finally, as the old saying goes for grapes, so it goes for a Biblically submissive woman: "the worse the "soil" (difficult times), the stronger her faith!"

She also does not engage in any affairs that would cause her family to go into debt, but instead only makes purchases from the "fruit of her own hands" which is the funds she has already earned from previous work she has performed, or funds that have been allotted to her by her husband (as is my case, since I do not work outside of the home, nor own my own business).

Proverbs 31 women are doing what they love and are successful because they stay focused on the task making every action count and being intentional. This kind of focus helps them, so as not to have any regrets because it directs them to make the most of their talents and their opportunities.  

She is a wise steward.

Proverbs 31:15

Proverbs 31:(15) She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, her maidens.

In all fairness , I will have to say ...this is my one of my weakest areas.  

Rises – Strong’s 6965 – קוּם – quwm = to arise, to stand, to be set, to fulfill, to establish, to endure, to stir up, to carry out.  Often used with a sense of rising in preparation or rising in power.

Quwm does not refer to getting out of bed, which is an entirely different word in Hebrew (shakam). It refers to rising up with a plan and a purpose.  This is what we see the Excellent Woman doing.

The virtuous woman loves her God given role better than her ease or her "pleasure". She is to be found in the way of her duty every hour of the day, and has more true satisfaction in having given meat to her household early in the morning than those who have wasted their money in foolishness and live in the pursuit of "wordly pleasures".

So the verse above could well mean that she was anxious to get her work done (and if there’s a lot to be done in a day then I guess we all feel that way and are keen to get an early start to achieve as much as possible), or perhaps she was pleased with her plans for her family for the day and could not wait to get it completed as she had a great desire to share it with the family. There are a number of ways you could read this. But the end result is, I’m sure, that she had much to do and she was responsible for the end result of what needed to be done.

Verse 15 shows that she didn’t work alone – she had help, in this case, her servant girls. But an important point here is that she also cared for those who helped her. Whilst it is not common today for the majority of us to have servants, it would be an expectation that family members pitch in and help with family matters and errands. The mention of the servant girls shows that she didn’t do it all alone, although she had responsibility for what needed to be done. T

he Excellent Woman has a plan before the day begins.  She is aware of the needs of the household, and is organized in addressing them. 

She is organized and disciplined.

The point King Lemuel's mother was making when she wrote Proverbs 31 verse 15, was that of a woman's first and greatest passion in which she rises and not necessarily what time of day she rises. We know this by looking at how God caused the earth to rotate around the sun and as well as how the moon rotates around the earth. Due to these rotations, the sun rises at different times, and for different lengths of time all around the world.

One example of this, is Alaska. Although it is a common misunderstanding that it is night for 6 months and day for 6 months in Alaska, it does have some extreme daylight hours as well as nighttime hours. One of it's city's, Barrow, which is located at the very top of the state, has a two-month winter period in which the sun doesn't rise. For a Biblically submissive woman who lives in Barrow, to approach verse 15 only by the time of day, rather than the attitude of her heart in which she rises...well, to say the least, this would be a horrific and impossible task to achieve. In order for a Biblically submissive woman living in Barrow, to be obedient to "rise while it is yet night" would require her to stay awake for TWO MONTHS straight!

Now that we are clear that Proverb 31:15 is not concentrated on the actual time in which a woman rises, but more on the attitude in which she rises, we may move on to what this attitude of a godly woman looks like.

1. Fully demonstrates that Jesus Christ is her first love and her foremost desire as she loves Him with all her heart, soul, mind and strength by rising in His Word and seeking His face first every day.
2. Acknowledges and confesses her passion for Christ Jesus our Lord in all that she does and says.
3. Allows her abandoned devotion to Christ to spur her on toward love and good deeds through serving and loving others above and before herself.
4. Does not entertain idle chatter, nor will she condone gossip either by speaking in a manner that is not beneficial to others or by even listening to gossip from others.
5. Does not fear what man can do to her, but thoroughly trusts God's goodness and sovereignty over her life.
6. Loves the unlovable and is generous and kind to those who hate her and have done evil to her.
7. Forgives personal offenses as well as sins committed against her to prevent the seed of bitterness from taking root and creating dams in her heart, so the flow of God's Living Water, the Holy Spirit can flow effortlessly throughout her life.

Basically, a Biblically submissive woman should rise with the attitude and mindset of that of our Lord Jesus Christ.....

Proverbs 31:14

Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from 
afar.

Definition:Merchant ship:pertaining to or used for trade or commerce: a merchant ship; Merchant ships as classified by operating method (the other is the ocean liner). 

In our modern day society, we all want everything NOW! That's why we have instant coffee, drive-thru everything (even pharmacies and dry-cleaners). We have microwave ovens and quick easy meals at the grocery store ready to buy, heat up and enjoy! But there's a problem with our high-tech modern day

society. Much like the jet airplanes that can transport foods faster than merchant ships, ships are the preferred method. Why? Because they can carry a greater load and use less energy and resources - merchant ships are more cost effective and far more efficient than jet airplanes. It would take an airplane many trips to carry the same load a merchant ship can carry all at once.

Without her special presence the family is but a group of people lacking that warm affection theat only a faithful wife and devoted mother can provide. 

In spiritual symbolism how is the Proverbs woman like a Merchant Ship.....

A merchant ship must have a Captain...

Her Captain is the Lord!

Merchant Ships were guided by the a compass and the north star. She is guided by inspiration, revelation, and the Holy Ghost. 

Merchant ships bring precious cargo from distant lands. She brings precious blessings from Heaven to her family.

Merchant ships endure storms at sea...Virtuous women have divine protection when spiritual and temporal storms threaten the home.

The proverbs woman is busy, and working hard ,stocking up and preparing for the future for her families needs.

Merchant Ships unload in different  harbors. These women of valor share their knowledge & talents  in different areas of her life and with different people.

Merchant Ships keep nothing for themselves. They carry cargo for others.True women of God are sacrificial and unselfish. 

Food.......

A basic need in life. The virtuous woman is making it her business to provide the best she can. 

The Proverbs 31 Woman is not only wise with what she chooses to work with, she is the one doing the work.

The Proverbs 31 Woman was ultimately a wise shopper, careful with the household income, careful choosing the foods and items purchased for the household, careful with what she did with the hours she had, providing for her family in a loving and wise way. 

A great woman is creative and diligent. She will not settle for convenience, economy, or habit.  

Excellence marks the virtuous woman. She does not look for shortcuts; she looks for the best. Convenience means little to her. She does not care what other women are doing; she wants to reward and honor her husband and children with service.

 

Proverbs 31:13

Proverbs 31:13 "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."

The Proverbs 31 woman, seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands.

seek (v.) - 1. to search thoroughly; to search every place: 2. to try to obtain

willing (adj.) - 1. cheerfully consenting or ready: 2. disposed or inclined; prepared: 3. acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant: (Matthew 26:41).: 4. done, given, accepted, or borne voluntarily or begrudgingly: 5. not brought about by coercion or force

As we can see from these definitions of what a Biblically submissive wife does, we can better understand that "seeking" isn't just a flighty, haphazard thing she does because she has nothing better to do with her time. We also better understand the fact that she works with "willing" hands is no small matter as well. She works, cheerfully, gladly, she's disposed, prepared and without force or coercion, is very inclined to do the work God has laid before her with gratitude and joyfulness.

She finds great satisfaction in her work because she is wise and knows that it is a gift from God for mankind to eat and drink and take pleasure in all their work.

Unfortunately, I have not yet attained the full meaning of these two words. When I "seek", that just means I'm casually looking for something and have a haphazard attitude (that might, on the surface, even appear to be godly), because I say, "Well, if God wants me to find it, have it, or whatever. I'm sure He'll make it obvious." Then others say, "Wow, what a godly woman you are! Look at your faith and trust in God!" Little do they know, instead of earnestly seeking the things of God, I'm actually sinning terribly by using God as an excuse for my laziness. YIKES!!! May holy terror fill me every time I even conceive such an evil thought! Now, don't get me wrong, it is good to have true faith, hope and trust in the Lord so that we never fret, but that's not what I'm doing in the above example.

Then there's the word "willing". The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that word is, "Okay, I'll do it...since no one else will and it needs to be done." and silently I'm thinking, "They owe me. I better receive some kind reward or "pay back" for this." Are either of these attitudes I entertain Christ-like and honoring to God? I think it's obvious to all of us, the answer would be a resounding "NO!"

In order to fulfill the Scripture we're meditating on today, that means I will need to crucify two things...TODAY! 

1. I will need to crucify my arrogance that assumes that if I don't do something that it either will not get done or it won't be done very well; 
2. And if I do anything, it's automatically a blessing to someone, therefore I am owed something in return. 

There is no hint of laziness in this woman who is praised by God. She “worketh willingly with her hands” She is “willing to get her hands dirty”, as the old saying goes. She is no prima donna! A woman of God is not “above” manual work. Hard work is her motto. It is the essence of her character. It does not scare her, she does not shy away from it.

Wool, of course, is the wavy or curly undercoat of a sheep which can be woven into a warm garment or fabric.  Even today we wear wool sweaters or mittens to protect us from the cold.

I find it particularly interesting that the wool is a protective covering, and when "cleaned" and "purified" the fatty substance is used to make ointments - to heal wounds and comfort injuries, cosmetics (i.e., lotions) - to care for our bodies and refresh it from the damages of the world, and waterproof coatings - to protect us from all that is beating down on us.

So let's "warm" our husbands with the attitude (humility) and love (submission to the Father's will) of Christ! 

Wool has the warming effect on the wearer.

FLAX: is a plant that is cultivated for both its fiber from which linen yarn and fabric are made, and for its seed, called linseed, from which linseed oil is obtained. Linen is used to make clothing, is strong, durable and its smooth surface repels soil. It is however, subject to wrinkling. The oil from the plant, linseed oil or flaxseed oil is used to make paints as well as....eh hem...are you ready? It's also used to help relieve constipation (due to the wheat content) and it also benefits in controlling levels of cholesterol (because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids) and blood sugar in the body. The flax seed itself can be crushed and used to make a healthier bread!

  

• she is the strong and durable fiber in which God made to hold the family together; 
• she repels the "soil", the dirt from the world's affect on her family; 
• she "relieves" them when they are "stuck" emotionally with her understanding, compassion, patience and wisdom - which brings God's peace to her household as she comforts her family, keeping their heart, body and soul well nourished through prayer and acts of kindness; 
• she disciplines (beats) her flesh so that she never hinders her family from eating wholesome bread from Heaven...the word of God. 

Again, I find it particularly interesting to find the similarities between the benefits of flax and the benefits to a husband who is married to a biblically submissive wife. 

Flax has a cooling effect on the wearer.

If I could describe Proverbs 31:13 with just two words, I'd use "cheerful holiness"!

The godly woman "seeks" wool and flax, these two basic materials to use in making clothes and garments.  The term "seek" could mean that she "selects" (NIV) the best quality of wool and flax or it could mean that she "seeks with care" or "cares for" the wool and flax.  

She is a seeker of his will. 

Christ's ways are ways of pleasantness; his commandments are not grievous, his yoke is easy.  

A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks.

A virtuous woman is not above dirtying her hands and working hard at manual labor. She has no illusions or pretensions about her role. She knows that productivity and wealth begin with her hands, not with her mouth. Though capable of using her brain to leverage her assets and labor, she has no qualms about adding her sweat equity to the family estate. Let every lazy or pampered woman humble herself before this wisdom from God. 

Proverbs 31:12

 Proverbs 31:12  "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

As we continue to look at the character qualities of the virtuous woman, we now see that she has an honorable pursuit —her desire towards her husband is “to do him good.” Now the world would take this phrase and pervert it.  But the true intentions are pure. The verse also mentions that she does not “do him evil.” What a contrast!

What does it mean to be good? It means that she has her husband’s happiness in view constantly. She is intent on lavishing every possible good upon her husband. Her pursuit is to love him, to do him good at every opportunity, not for praise or payoff, but simply because she knows that is what God wants her to do.

Where does all this goodness come from? It comes from her servant’s heart. She takes seriously her God-given pursuit to love her husband and she does it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.

Unfortunately, a lot of women in our country have rewritten Proverbs 31:12 to say something like this, “He should be doing ME good, and not evil all the days of his life.” They are more concerned about having their needs than they are about meeting the needs of their husband. I have been caught in this trap before. They have seen what God says in His Word about how the husband is to be the head of the home and the wife is to be the helpmate, and they have decided that God does NOT know what He is talking about. 

I realized that God knew exactly what He was doing when He established marriage the way He did, and if we want to have a marriage that is blessed by God, we need to follow His guidelines.

To be a true helpmate takes the attitude of a servant. That is easy to say, but so hard to do. All of us have that old sin nature which is bent toward selfishness. Therefore, it is only possible to be a good helpmate when first of all you are obedient, then secondly, filled with the Spirit. Then you can truly have a servant’s heart and self won’t get in the way.

Not only is the virtuous woman concerned about doing her husband good, but there is also an absence of evil. The Bible says that “she will do him good and not evil.” What does it mean to do him evil? It could mean many things. It could be doing things that will bring trouble or sorrow or displeasure to his life. It could be doing anything that would cause him not to trust you. It could show up in bitterness, selfishness, resentment, anger, disapproval, or disagreement. 

The virtuous woman stands strong against the temptations to do wrong, and chooses instead to follow after God’s plan to do her husband good, and not evil.

Notice also that this goodness is there “all the days of her life.” This is a life-long pursuit. It doesn’t end when you don’t get your way or you happen to be tired or when your husband does something to make you angry. The virtuous woman takes seriously and literally her marriage vows to do her husband good forever.” She is to be sweet-tempered and constant today, tomorrow, fifty years from now, for all eternity. 

Jezebel stirred up her husband and caused him to do much evil.

Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. 

Michal despised her husband David. 

You need to recognize the ability in your own life to do your husband evil, and set up safeguards in your life to keep you from going down that path.

Good and evil are sharply contrasting things—goodness is desirable and evil is not desirable.

Discontentment and causes your heart to be focused on others or on things instead of on God. Another enemy of goodness is bitterness. When you allow it to take root and grow in your life, the Bible says that many will be defiled. Another enemy of goodness is a stagnant spiritual life. If you are not walking close with the Lord, you will not have a desire to follow His will.

Goodness does not just happen naturally. We need to plan and practice for it.

We can either plan for good or for evil in our life.

If you would like to learn to plan for the good, look for those things that make your husband happy, and do them. Also, watch for the things that irritate him, and avoid them. You will be well on your way to the honorable pursuit of “doing him good.” Then commit to doing it all the days of your life!

In doing good to her husband she is consistent.  She doesn't serve him that which is good one day and that which is evil the next day.  Her husband can count on her to do him good and to be a blessing to him.  He can count on her to do this today, five days from now, one year from now, ten years from now, and all the days of her life.  She is not up and down, hot and cold.  Her godliness is marked with consistency.  A virtuous woman will carry these qualities not only in the home but with others.

Proverbs 31:11

Proverbs 31: (11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Definition: Trust: Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.

Proverbs 31:11 woman actions are not based on how others treat her or by what others think, her character remains steady, and she remains reliable and dependable. In his heart, her husband, has full confidence in her; her integrity, wisdom, and discretion in the use of his assets and in the care of his interests. He is at ease when he is away because he knows that all is safe with her and she would never do anything to cause him sorrow, suffering, pain, or distress.

He is not suspicious, worried, or jealous, because she is trustworthy. He can confide in her and trust her without reserve and will have no reason to regret it. He can safely rely and depend on her to do what he would do, in the manner he would do it. He believes in her securely, his trust is well founded because she will never let him down or do anything to harm his personal gain.

What God is saying is that the husband can trust in her decisions and knows that he can depend on her for support. It is hard for a man to have such a responsability for a family. A wifes support is a necessity. I believe that " he shall have no need for spoil" means that his wife makes him complete.

Sadly, this cannot be said of most husbands today.  They cannot trust their wives (and often their wives cannot trust them).  Being able to fully trust your marriage partner is one of the fundamental foundations of a strong God-honoring marriage. 

 Believe it or not women but God did not give you your husband so that you can make him who you think he should be.

God gave you your husband so you could pray for, hold up, strengthen and uplift this man, while God was tearing down, uprooting and creating him into the man of God that he was called to be.

It is vital that we as woman are on our knees in prayer doing warfare for our Husbands so that they can be the leader that God has called them to be.

But she must readily understand that her primary focus and heart's desire is to be toward her husband. Hence, she must now put all of her efforts into building a close relationship with him - above all else - and love him with singleness of heart and mind. Her newly acquired husband is not to be added to the bottom of her personal list of special people and activities or personal goals, for the king deserves more than leftovers! He is to be placed at the TOP of his wife's list, as most important to her...

Let's be honest , sometimes the attitude we take toward our husbands is this - "He can wait; who does he think he is anyway, a king or something??" In fact, we're guilty often times of behaving as if our husbands were a "royal pain" rather than a king! And God says it is foolish of us....A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. 

Proverbs 31 Woman

Many ladies tell me that the Proverbs 31 Woman intimidates them and I must admit that when I was younger, especially when I first got married, it used to intimidate me too. The list of characteristics of a woman that can be taken from the passage is just overwhelming.

Now that I'm 40 'something' I find now that I look at the Proverbs 31 Woman as a string of pearls. Each characteristic that she embodies being a pearl on the strand of our life. We don't just automatically have the whole strand put together. Some of us are half stranded!   Many of us are long strands, some short bracelets, and all are a work in progress.

It's like anything else in our lives; we've got to work at it. We've got to work at becoming a good mother, good cook, good wife, and all those other things. Some women are saved later in life and they don't start working on their strand of pearls till late in their particular life. All the characteristics or our 'pearls' don't come naturally to us. Some do, but with others we have to work hard to string that thread through the pearl to pull it onto our strand. Sometimes our pearls get loose and a few fall off and we have to work to thread them back on to our strand. 

Proverbs 31:(10 ) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 If we look up the definition of “virtue”, we will find explanations of moral excellence, goodness, and the ability to conduct oneself with ethical principles.

The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a choice woman.You have probably always heard it translated as the "virtuous woman."The Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary explains that the term "chayil" was used to describe great forces and armies. A woman said to be "chayil" would possess a certain strength, might, and power!

The Proverb 31 Woman is no wimp. She is a woman of great strength! She is a woman of purpose. She is a strong contributor and asset to her home. She manages her affairs well. She is business-like, intellectual, and above all else God- fearing.

She is a "virtuous woman".The virtuous woman places all of her trust in the Lord. She knows that only through him, she has "come this far by faith."

She knows her redeemer lives and never fails to thank him for "Just another day." She is a woman of vision, and destiny. God has placed within her Spirit a ministering to others. She is not ashamed to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears and dry them with her hair because he alone is her life-line. Her head is held high, her steps are sure, and her words are well thought over. Her appearance portrays her royalty having divine DNA within her very soul.

Yes, she knows the storms will come, the winds will blow, there will be times when there may be sickness, trials, and heartache. However, the conclusion of the matter is this, she is assured that there will be times of joy, laughter, and deliverance with life more abundantly; this is the promise of her Father in heaven.

In the scriptures, the word "virtue" is used to mean not just goodness but also occasionally the power to heal.

It is important that virtue should have this double meaning, for godly qualities can heal both the one who has them and the one who is influenced by them.The Virtuous Woman, where can she be found? Women say with me- I am she, because I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Being a Proverbs 31 woman is not about be “perfect.” It’s about living life with purpose, diligence, forgiveness, and repentance. The only reason why the Proverbs 31 Woman can be perceived as “perfect” is because she is a product of the God who lives within her. The only thing that’s perfect about her, is Him.

A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways.  Because of her fear of the Lord, she is able to be all that she is. You see, the Proverbs 31 Woman is the ideal example of a godly woman, not because she’s perfect, but because all that she does is a result of her relationship with her Saviour.

So, I have learned that all I need to do in order to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, is put God first and focus on my relationship with Him. He desires to have our complete devotion, He wants to be our first love – and that, dear virtuous young woman, is what He deserves. It’s His blood that was shed for our sins and the high price of His sinless life (1 Cor. 6 v 20) that makes us “worth far more than rubies” (Pro. 31 v 10). It has nothing to do with our deeds or what we do for Him (Eph. 2 v 8).