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The Virtuous Woman

By William J. Stewart

Considerable attention is given in the book of Proverbs to the character of a woman. Solomon warns his son against the "immoral woman" (2:16; 5:3,20; 6:24; 7:5,10; 22:14; 30:20), as well as the "foolish woman" (9:13), the "contentious woman" (21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15) and the "hateful woman" (30:23). He also speaks of and glorifies the "gracious woman" (11:16) and the "wise woman" (14:1).

Lemuel's mother, aside from giving him instruction addressing his own conduct, also instructs him in the selection of a woman. If, as suggested in our previous article, Lemuel is in fact Solomon, it appears that he did not heed the instruction of his mother. We are told that

"...King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughters of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites - from the nations of which the LORD had said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.' Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart." (1 Kings 11:1-3)

Let us consider the amazing picture Lemuel's mother paints of the virtuous woman.

Relationships
Relationships are so important to establish and maintain. The virtuous woman develops a good reputation through her interaction with others. Her husband and family are secure, knowing that she will always do what is best for them (Proverbs 31:11-12, 15, 21, 27-28). In fact, through her fine character, she punctuates the image of her husband before others in the community (Proverbs 31:23, 31). As a business woman, she is faithful and honest in her dealings, and holds the trust of the merchants (Proverbs 31:16, 18, 24).

Work Ethic
Her reputation is built upon a continuous attention on her part to responsibilities. Indications of her work ethic are scattered throughout the text.

“Lemuel's mother ...instructs him in the selection of a woman.”

She:

Her diligence is displayed in that she "...does not eat the bread of idleness..." (Proverbs 31:27) She "...willingly works with her hands..." (Proverbs 31:13), and thus is able to share and enjoy the "...fruit of her hands..." (Proverbs 31:31)

Busy Hands
The busyness of her hands is found on a few occasions in the text. As just mentioned, she "...willingly works with her hands..." What does she work at? She provides clothing, both for her family and as merchandise for sale (Proverbs 31:19). She sees the plight of the poor and needy, and willingly lends a hand to them (Proverbs 31:20).

Consider Her Value
Of this focused keeper of the home, we find words of commendation in the text. Immediately, the thought of a woman who meets the profile supplied, causes Lemuel's mother to say, "...her worthy is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10). She is a valued prize, much more valuable to a man than jewels or treasures. Attributed to her are "...strength and honor..." (Proverbs 31:25), and both her children and her husband, aware of her love and stewardship call her "blessed" (Proverbs 31:28). Also, her husband praises her, for she, by her character is exalted above over women (Proverbs 31:28-29). In fact, not just her children and husband, who so richly benefit from her works praise her, but her works themselves praise her, for she will be remembered by all for her faithfulness and devotion (Proverbs 31:30-31).

Young men, when you are seeking a wife, may you find the virtuous woman. Young women, may you take upon yourself the characteristics which make this woman virtuous. You married women, may it be your determined desire to walk in the virtues which Lemuel's mother spoke of, and married men, be certainly to commend your wife for her praiseworthy character.

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02.04.2007 | Words To Live By
02.18.2007 | Who Is A Christian?

Answering The Atheist

By William J. Stewart

The Atheist's Complaint:
Which flying creeping things may we eat? Deuteronomy 14:19 says that all of them are unclean and may not be eaten, but Leviticus 11:21-23 indicates that some may be eaten. Is there a contradiction?

Response:
Leviticus 11:20 reads, "All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you." (KJV) A generation later, as the Law of God was given again to those who would enter into the land of promise, this was repeated as, "And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten." KJV (Deuteronomy 14:19)

These texts are the same commandment, though there are some obvious distinctions. The Leviticus text mentions those going upon all four, but the Deuteronomy text does not. The Leviticus text includes an exemption clause (Leviticus 11:21-22), which is not mentioned in Deuteronomy. Do these differences constitute a contradiction?

Not at all. What the questioner has noted is a case where the restating of the Law (Deuteronomy) supplies the generic instruction given by God, but in the first giving of the Law, additional details are supplied. The Israelites would be expected to heed not just the word of Deuteronomy, but also that which was given prior to that, as recorded in Exodus and Leviticus.

Here are a few other examples where the book of Deuteronomy provides the generic law given in Leviticus, but not all that had formerly been spoken. Such was the case for the instruction regarding:

Even in our own laws (tax law specifically comes to mind), we will have documents that summarize the intent of the law, but upon examination of the original documentation, exemptions or other specific details may be seen. This doesn't mean that the documents which summarize the law are in contradiction with the original law, they merely do not supply all the details which can be found in the original.

There is no contradiction.

This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.