5/6/13- A Godly Woman

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
(Proverbs 31:10)

Thoughts:  On this Mother's Day week, let us think a bit about the ideal woman in scripture.
A word about translation:  In verse 10 it calls her a noble wife in the NIV .  In the LEV it says, "An excellent woman who can find?"  The NRSV translates it "a capable wife" who can find.  Some translations say "a woman of worth" who can find? (Youngs, World English, Darby).  The Hebrew is hayil eset.  The word "hayil" is the word we get hallelujah from.  It can literally mean "praiseworthy."  A man's eset- or woman was his wife.  Thus the subtle difference in translations.  The next verse says, "her husband has full confidence in her."  This implies the verse 10 is speaking of a wife.  But in Jewish thought the most common and ideal woman would be married for her own protection and provision.
     So what is the point of this passage?  It is as true today as it was then.  It is rare and precious to find a praiseworthy, virtuous woman who has noble character.  The more complete definition of what that character entails is found in the rest of Proverbs 31.
     While this passage is speaking of a woman who is married and has children- the most common woman of that day- it does not mean that those women who are unmarried cannot learn from this if they will listen.  Nor does it mean that men cannot learn from this passage about women.  For example- this passage speaks to men in that men are to search for a woman of character as they would search for a ruby that they have lost (think of Jesus' parable of the lost pearl Mt. 13:44-46).  Furthermore, men are called to give praise (hallel) to a wife of noble character.  So guys, do not take a virtuous woman for granted-- especially these days.
      We live in a day in which people are encouraging us to "live naturally" and to not have taboos or standards for morality. We are encouraged to live ignoble (not noble) lives in which we give into every desire- every instinct- in an animal-like life.  We know that giving into every instinct for sugar or laziness can be bad- but we do not spill that over into morality and spirituality.  In such an environment in which for the first time in American history that more young women are moving in with their partners than getting married first, it is getting more and more rare and precious to find a woman who has noble, virtuous character.
      I wish I knew when I was young what I know now.  That is, that it is so important to be virtuous when you are young so that you do not regret it later.  Thankfully the Lord preserved me from a lot of my own wrong-thinking.
     But having said that, this is not speaking of a perfect woman- no one is perfect.  But it is speaking of a trustworthy, proven, woman who has values and standards that enable her to worship the holy Lord.  This woman values God and chooses godliness over an animal-like existence.

Prayer:  Lord, raise up more noble women- women who choose you over selfish pleasure.  Raise up men, O Lord, who value godly qualities among women.