“The Proverbs 31 Woman”

 By:   Pastor Milton Coats

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The Proverbs 31 Woman is not just a woman; she is a wife and mother.  This is known because verse 28 says “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

In this 31^st chapter of Proverbs, a mother who is believed to be Bathsheba is giving advice to her son Solomon.  In the first nine verses she advises him to not give his strength to women, nor his ways to that which destroyeth kings.  She further advises her son to use wine for medicine and to be fair, just and honest.  That’s good advice!

After having thus said, she goes on to tell him how to choose a wife.  She says in Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”  A virtuous woman is a woman of character, a woman of strength, a woman of real ability.  According to Proverbs 12:4 “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”  The Old Testament character Ruth distinguished herself as a virtuous woman.  (Ruth 3:11)  Proverbs 31:11-12 says “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”  She will be faithful and she’s a real helpmate.  In verse 13, she doesn’t mind working.  In verse 14, she looks for bargains to spend money wisely.  The Proverbs 31 Woman knows how to run her household.  She is a generous woman.  “Proverbs 31:20 says “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”  This woman is also wise and kind in her advice.  Verse 26 says “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”  “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”  (Proverbs 14:1)

Bathsheba advises her son, he should first look for a wife who is a Christian, and not just good looking.  She tells him “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”  (Proverbs 31:30)

The Proverbs 31 Woman is certainly a remarkable woman, who as we have seen is also a wife and mother.  She is a wife and mother who is called blessed by her children, and praised by her husband.

There is an adage that says “Man’s work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done”.  Mothers are deserving of honor and praise!

Happy Mother’s Day!