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.