Women of the Bible - The Virtuous Woman

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Last week, at the graveside service for my Mamaw, the pastor who is a family friend told us that he had never used the scripture from Proverbs 31:10-31 at a funeral service....but that was what he chose to read from as Mamaw was laid to rest.  So, as I thought about what woman to talk about today, I wanted to do a  bit of research on the virtuous woman.  I've always loved this scripture, but have never felt that I even  come close to the woman with all those amazing attributes!

(although Pappy says differently....:-)

I found a web-site - Proverbs 31 Woman - that broke down each verse in such a beautiful way that I would love to share with you all!

Proverbs 31:10-31 

Her Character as a Wife

Rare and precious

Who can find a virtuous woman?
      She is more precious than rubies.

Trustworthy

 Her husband can trust her,
      and she will greatly enrich his life.

Kind
  She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.

 Her Devotion as a Homemaker

  Works joyfully

She finds wool and flax
      and busily spins it.

 Goes the extra mile to get the choicest goods

She is like a merchant’s ship,
      bringing her food from afar.

  Disciplined

She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
      and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

Knows how to handle money

  She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
      with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

 Energetic

She is energetic and strong,
      a hard worker.

 Good steward

She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
      her lamp burns late into the night.

Diligent

Her hands are busy spinning thread,
      her fingers twisting fiber.

 Her Generosity as a Neighbor

 Compassionate and Generous

She extends a helping hand to the poor
      and opens her arms to the needy.

  Her Devotion as a Homemaker

 Provides for the future

She has no fear of winter for her household,
      for everyone has warm clothes.

 Elegant

She makes her own bedspreads.
      She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

 Influential

Her husband is well known at the city gates,
      where he sits with the other civic leaders.

 Industrious

She makes belted linen garments
      and sashes to sell to the merchants.

 Her Influence as a Teacher

 Poised

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
      and she laughs without fear of the future.

 Wise

When she speaks, her words are wise,
      and she gives instructions with kindness.

 Her Effectiveness As a Mother

 Manages Her Home

She carefully watches everything in her household
      and suffers nothing from laziness.

 Praiseworthy

 Her children stand and bless her.
      Her husband praises her:

Distinguished

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
      but you surpass them all!”

 Her Excellence As a Person

God-fearing

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
      but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
 

 Honored

Reward her for all she has done.
      Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Conclusions:

I've met several women in my lifetime who meet these "qualifications" to be classified as a virtuous woman.  Here's one of my favorite of these verses....

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last,

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

That's the legacy that I want to leave behind.  

I want to be remembered as a woman who loved her Jesus....and tried her best to obey Him!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!