"The Wife of Noble Character"

Before Matt and I got married, I wanted to do some research on what the Bible said about marriage and the wife's role in a marriage. I did not have to look far. I found exactly what I needed in Proverbs 31:10-31--"Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character." I read it fast at first to get a general idea of what the text said, but I was so captivated by it, that I read it again....slower that time. I took in the words and what they truly meant. I formed images in my mind of what this woman would look like and how she would perform her tasks in her daily life. If you do not own a Bible, I have the passage written below: Take it slow and really think about what it is saying.
"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. She selects wool
and flax and works with eager hands. She is like
the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up
while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions
for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it;
Out of her earning she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work
vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that
her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands
to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city
gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes
linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over
the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idelness.
Her children arise and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her;
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and the beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward
she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
_________

So, apparently, homegirl had it going on! In my mind, this woman is beautiful on the inside and on the out. She's respected, hard-working, trust-worthy, loved, independent, and faithful. Those are traits to be admired and sought after. I found myself wanting to be all of those things for Matt because he deserved them and because I want to be the best wife I can be for him.

I broke the passage down as much as I could but this is what I got out of this passage.

"She is worth far more than rubies." Alright men, if you can find a true and genuine lady who loves the Lord, she is going to be AMAZING! Bottom line. Her worth as a person is so much more than some who may take pleasure in the material things in life.

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." -- There is trust in this marriage. A wife of noble character can be trusted by her husband with all matters...large and small. "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." --I took this as a wife of noble character can be respected. She loves her husband and would not do anything to disgrace him or herself.

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." -- A wife of noble character works hard! She is not afraid to get down and dirty. She works with her hands, cooks for her family, and does what she needs in order to provide. I mean...she gets up while it is still dark! I can't tell you the last time I did that! Especially not to make Mattie breakfast! HA! I mean...I probably should but I don't. Something to ponder I guess.

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."--A wife of noble character is smart and independent. She thinks before she acts and she works hard to get what she wants. Go girl !

"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."--This girl has faith. She trusts in her Lord and she knows in her heart that she and her family are protected and loved by the almighty God. Yet another trait to be admired.

I got so much more out of this passage but I thought I would share a few thoughts. The author of Proverbs probably had a specific woman in mind when he wrote this passage and I bet she was one awesome woman. I love this passage because it says so much and it has depth. I strive to be a better wife each day. I pray that I'm a good wife and that I'm living my life the way that God wants me too. He allowed me to be a wife and it is a gift that I need to make the most of. I was fortunate to become a wife at an early age and I am so excited that I am married! It was one of my biggest dreams and it has come true. Why not make the most out of who I can be as a person and as a wife? With God's help and His word to guide me, I can make the necessary changes in my life to be all that I can be.
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