Sunday Morning 05/12/2012
Pastor David King
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no
lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her
life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
Proverbs 31:10–13
Virtuous -- ‫ ַ֫חיִל‬also translated strength, wealth, army. The virtuous woman
is a strong, powerful force in her home and world.
Willingly-‫ ַ֫חפֶץ‬-the word means delight, pleasure. She indeed finds pleasure
and delight in the work of the home!
 Do you embrace and find delight in the daily activities of managing and
maintaining a home?
 Have you discovered God’s purpose for your calling as wife and mother?

Is your home a place of hope and provision for those who enter your
doors?
Is your home a force for hope and provision in your sphere of influence?

trust – ‫יחי‬
ִ ‫ מ ְב ִט‬-- The root of the word batah means to lie extended on the

ground. It appears this word carries the idea of putting oneself at the
complete mercy of another. The root is also used in connection with
trusting in God.
Can your husband and family trust wholly in your commitment and
competency to the family?
The Proverbs 31 woman is intended to portray not a super-woman but rather a
universal woman; she is the ideal woman, in the ideal home, in the ideal society.
In a world full of brokenness, the Christian woman is called to be a
redeeming force in her home, her community and her world!
Example of a Proverbs 31 Woman:
Katharina von Bora (1499-1552)
Is one of the most significant women in Church history. She became
Martin Luther's wife after escaping from a convent with 11 other nuns.
She was a devoted wife to Luther, who referred to her as "my lord Katie"
and together they had 6 children, 4 of whom lived to be adults.
She was a wonderful manager of the household, despite limited funds
and a large number of guests. She grew vegetables, bought a farm to
raise cattle and chickens and brewed beer.
Issue #76: Katie Luther: Establishing a Pattern for the Christian
Family.
CATHERINE VON BORA was only eighteen at
the time Martin Luther issued his now famous
95 theses from Wittenberg. She had lived in a
convent since she was three; her father had
taken her there after her mother's death.
Catherine and several of the other nuns at the
cloister heard of Luther's Biblical teaching.
Once they believed the principles Luther
taught, they wanted to leave the cloisters.
When Luther heard of this, he encouraged a
merchant friend to help them escape.
Merchant Kopp often delivered herring to the
convent, and one evening in 1523, he bundled
twelve nuns into his wagon in the empty fish barrels! Several of the nuns
returned to their families; Luther helped find homes, husbands, or
positions for the rest. Within two years after their escape, all the nuns
had been provided for except one--Catherine.
It has been recorded that Catherine was a bit homely and unrefined and
Luther was recorded as saying his reason for marrying her “was to spite
the devil!” Not exactly a love story for the ages at that stage! Luther,
himself, was no prize in many respects having been recorded to sleep on
hay for his bed…hay that he had not changed in years!
Gradually, through the persuasion of friends and his father, Luther
proposed to marry Katie himself. Luther had been given the building of
the Augustinian monastery at Wittenberg by the Elector, and into the
monastery Katie moved after her marriage in 1525. She cleaned up the
monastery and brought some order to Luther's daily life. Luther wrote a
friend, "There is a lot to get used to in the first year of marriage. One
wakes up in the morning and finds a pair of pigtails on the pillow which
were not there before."
After a year of marriage Luther wrote another friend, "My Katie is in all
things so obliging and pleasing to me that I would not exchange my
poverty for the riches of Croesus." Luther, the former celibate monk, now
exalted marriage, exclaiming, "There is no bond on earth so sweet, nor
any separation so bitter, as that which occurs in a good marriage."
Katie managed the finances of the family and helped free Luther's mind
for his work of writing, teaching, and ministering. Luther called her the
"morning star of Wittenberg" since she rose at 4 a.m. to care for her
many responsibilities. She took care of the vegetable garden, orchard,
fishpond, and barnyard animals, even to the butchering of them herself.
Often there were as many as 30 students, guests, or boarders staying in
the monastery, all of whom came under Katie's care. Luther was often ill,
and Katie was able to minister to him in his illnesses because of her
great medical skill.
Katie's life was not just concerned with the physical, however. Martin
encouraged his Katie in her Bible study and suggested particular
passages for her to memorize.
In time the Luthers had six children and also raised four orphan children;
the family became a model for German families for several centuries.
Luther viewed marriage as a school for character. Family life helped train
Christians in the virtues of fortitude, patience, charity, and humility.
After Martin's death in 1546, Katie lived six years. She lived to see her
children, except Magdalena who had died young, achieve positions of
influence.
Time-line of Katie Von Bora:
29 Jan 1499 Born in Lippendorf, Germany to Hans von Bora and
Katharina Haubitz.
1504
1515
Following her mother's death, she entered the
convent school in Brehna.
Took her vows to become a nun, entering the
Nimbschen Cloister, where her aunt Magdalena von
Bora also lived.
6-7 April
1523
Escaped from the Nimbschen Cloister with 11 other
nuns in fish barrels. Aided by Leonard Köppe, a
merchant from Torgau. Lived in artist Lucas
Cranach's house.
1524
Courted by Hicronymus Baumgaertner, a student at
Wittenberg University but his parents opposed the
match.
1524
Courted by Pastor Glatz, but she refused him.
13 June
1525
Became engaged to Martin Luther.
25 June
1525
Married Martin Luther in the Black Cloister in
Wittenberg.
7 June 1526 First son born, Johannes (Hans) named after
Grandfather. He studied law and became a court
advisor.
1526
When the cloister closed, the Luther's were given the
house.
1 Dec 1527
First daughter born, Elisabeth. (She died at 8 months
on May 4, 1528).
4 May 1529
Daughter Magdalena born (She died at 13 years in
1542).
9 Nov 1531
Son Martin born. He studied theology.
29 Jan 1533 Son Paul born. He became a well known physician.
17 Dec 1534 Daughter Margarethe born. She married into a
wealthy Prussian family.
1542
Nephew Fabian moved in with the family, following
Katharina's brother's death.
1546
Martin Luther died.
1546-7
Fled to Dessau due to the Smalkaldian war.
1552
Fled to Torgau to escape the Plague in Wittenberg.
20 Dec 1552 Katharina von Bora died and was buried in Torgau on
December 20th.
Proverbs 31
Virtuous Woman
some of the dangers he will face in life: sinful companions, strong drink, and a
temptation to disobey the Word of God. Happy is that person who had a Godfearing mother who warned about sin, and happier is the person who heeded
her warnings.
II.
“Traditionally this poem was recited by husbands and children at the Sabbath
table on Friday night.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary
“The woman presented is a wealthy aristocrat who runs a household estate
with servants and conducts business affairs and charity. Camp describes the
woman as an idealized wife, in an ideal home, in an ideal society—she is not
just some man’s dream woman but represents a universal type of woman.”
Expositor’s Bible Commentary
This passage is written in a chiasm using the first letter of each alphabet letter.
This poem may be wisdom personified and not necessarily about a virtuous
woman. However this poem is also a great pattern for women who want to
develop a life of wisdom;
v. 11 “value” this is the word for plunder and may designate that the gain will
be as bountiful as the spoils of war.
v. 25 “she is clothed with strength—power over the changes of temporal
circumstances, which easily shatter and bring to ruin a household resting on
less solid foundations;
“honor” or glory-elevation above that which is low, little, common, a state in
which they remain who propose to themselves no high aim after which they
strive with all their might: in other words, her raiment is just pride, true
dignity with which she looks confidently into the future, and is armed against
all sorrow and care.
I.
Her Spirituality (31:1–9)
The king’s mother is teaching her son to obey the Word of God. Some students
think that “King Lemuel” is actually King Solomon, but we have no proof of this.
The most important ministry mothers and fathers have is the spiritual training
of their children. See 2 Tim. 1:5 and 3:15. The mother boldly warns Lemuel of
Her Loyalty (31:10–12)
The two key words here are heart and trust—love and faith. Marriage is a
matter of the heart; there must be true love between husband and wife. What
kind of love should a man show to his wife? The same kind of love that Christ
shows to the church (Eph. 5:18ff): sacrificial, patient, suffering, tender,
constant. A wife has no problem submitting herself in obedience to a husband
who loves her and shows it. Husbands need to take care that their jobs and
household chores do not take them away from their wives and children. A
happy home does not “just happen”; it is the result of hard work, prayer, and
real love. When husbands and wives trust the Lord and each other, there will
be happiness and blessing. The marriage vows are promises that must be taken
seriously. To break these vows is to sin against God and each other.
III. Her Industry (31:13–22)
This priceless woman is a worker. Whether it be sewing or cooking, taking care
of the children or assisting her husband in family business, she is faithfully
doing her share. Note that she works willingly (v. 13); it is not a matter of
compulsion but compassion. She loves her husband and therefore seeks to
please him. (See 1 Cor. 7:32–34 for a wonderful principle of marriage—live to
please the other person.) This ideal woman does not spend the morning in bed;
she is up early to do her tasks (v. 15) and, if necessary, she stays up late at night
(v. 18). Note Paul’s instructions to young women in 1 Tim. 5:14. While there are
sometimes emergencies and situations that require women to work outside
the home, it must be remembered that even there her first responsibility is to
her family.
Proverbs has nothing good to say about laziness, whether it involves a man
or a woman. See 6:6–11; 10:4, 26; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25;
22:13; 24:30–34; 26:13–16. In these days of “labor-saving devices,” there is still
no substitute for hard work and diligence.
IV. Her Modesty (31:23–26)
Her husband is known in the gates; she is known for her faithfulness at home.
Man and woman both have a place in the economy of God, and when either
one steps out of place, there is confusion and trouble. Of course, the headship
of the man does not mean dictatorship; rather it means example and
leadership in love. Verse 25 suggests that the godly woman does not depend
on fancy clothing to be successful; she wears “strength and honor” on the inner
person. Peter writes about the outward adorning of extravagance and the
inward adorning of a “meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3–4). Paul commands
women to wear “modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9) and to depend on spiritual
beauty, not the artificial beauty of the world. Verse 26 tells us that the godly
woman is careful in her speech as well as in her dress. How wonderful it is
when the “law of kindness” rules the tongue.
V. Her Piety (31:27–31)
“A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” This is the secret of her
life: she fears God and seeks to obey His Word. No doubt she would arise early
in the morning to meditate on the Word and to pray. All day long she would
pray for her husband and her family. Her true beauty is within; though the
years might change her body, her beauty in the Lord only grows greater. Her
praise comes from God. “I do always those things that please Him.”
How does God praise this woman? By blessing her labors and her life. The
fruit of her life will praise her. She will certainly reap “life everlasting” because
she has sown to the Spirit, not to the flesh (Gal. 6:7–8).
Her husband and children also rise up and praise her. What a need there is
today for husbands and children to show constantly their appreciation for what
the wife and mother does in the home. One of the greatest weaknesses in
many homes today is that family members take each other for granted.
Husbands need to set the right example before their children by openly
praising the Lord and the wife for the blessings of the home. How often a
dedicated wife sacrifices for the happiness of the home and never receives so
much as a simple “thanks.” What a sin lack of appreciation is in our homes. This
kind of appreciation must not be reserved for Mother’s Day or Christmas;
rather, it must be shown sincerely all year long. Gratitude is a wonderful
Christian virtue. It needs to be cultivated in every home.
Of course, these same qualities ought to be seen in the man of the house
as well. How often we see a godly woman patiently suffering with a carnal,
worldly husband. The Bible knows nothing of a “double standard” for husbands
and wives. It is important that the husband be spiritual, loyal, industrious, etc.
In God’s gracious plan, He has ordered that both husband and wife are needed
in the home and that each one must fulfill certain ministries. One cannot
replace the other, although in some emergencies (such as death of one mate)
God has given grace for a person to be both “father and mother” in the home.
Husbands and wives must constantly be on guard lest Satan move in and break
up the home. They have spiritual, material, and physical responsibilities to each
other, and if these are not met, Satan goes to work (1 Cor. 7:1–6; 1 Tim. 5:8;
Eph. 5:21–33; 1 Peter 3:7). It is especially important to be on guard after the
children have grown up and left home, for then the true strength of the home
is tested. A man and woman can no longer say, “We will stay together for the
children’s sake.” May God help us all to choose the right mates in His will, and
to build the kind of homes that glorify His Name.1
VIII. The Noble Wife (31:10-31)
This final section of Proverbs is an acrostic poem exalting a noble wife.
Each of the 22 verses begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
These verses were written by Lemuel, Lemuel’s mother, Solomon, or someone
whose name is unknown. This last view is probably correct.
31:10. The wife of noble character (liya\h) is also mentioned in
12:4 (cf. “noble” in 31:29). Ruth was called “a woman of noble character” (Ruth
3:11). The word for noble character is translated “capable” in Exodus 18:21.
The question who can find? (cf. Prov. 20:6) does not suggest that such women
are nonexistent but that they should be admired because they, like noble men,
are rare. Also they are more valuable than rubies (cf. a similar statement about
wisdom in 8:11).
31:11. The noble wife’s husband is mentioned three times (vv. 11, 23, 28)
and is referred to as “him” in verse 12. His confidence in her is complete. He
trusts her. Her careful household management enhances their family’s wealth.
He lacks nothing of value by way of household goods.
31:12. This kind of woman is an asset, not a liability, to her husband. Good
comes to him that can be directly attributed to her. She supports and
encourages him. And she is faithful in helping him all . . . her life.
31:13. She is involved in weaving and sewing as indicated in verses 13, 19,
22, 24. She uses wool and flax, and linen (vv. 22, 24) made from flax. With
eager hands is literally, “with the delight of her hands, ” suggesting that she
enjoys her work.
31:14. The noble wife also does shopping. She is like . . . merchant ships
that brought unusual and fascinating merchandise from other places. She too
brought interesting and unusual items home from her shopping.
31:15. Though she has household help she herself gets up early, before
daybreak, to help prepare breakfast and food for other meals, and to delegate
work (portions) to her servants.
31:16. The wife’s considering and buying a field have caused some to
question the validity of this poem because women, it is argued, were not
permitted to do that in those days. However, in this wealthy household she
apparently had money to invest. Then out of her earnings from various
investments (cf. “trading, ” v. 18, and “sells, ” v. 24) she plants a vineyard. She
has a business mind and she works hard.
31:17. She works energetically (lit., “girds her loins with strength”) and
with vigor (cf. “works” in v. 13). She has a healthy attitude toward work.
1Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old
Testament, (Victor Books: Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New
Testament) Wheaton, Illinois.
31:18. Her wise business dealings are again referred to (cf. “earnings, ” v.
16, and “sells, ” v. 24). The fact that her lamp does not go out speaks of her
planning ahead. The five virgins whose lamps did not go out were praised for
their foresight (Matt. 25:4). The extinguishing of one’s lamp pictured calamity
(Job 18:6; Prov. 13:9; 20:20; 24:20).
31:19. Verses 13, 19, 22, 24 refer to her weaving and sewing. She makes
cloth by spinning wool or flax (v. 13) on a distaff, using a spindle.
31:20. The noble wife is also selfless and generous. She sells some things
for profit but she also gives to the poor and the needy (see comments on these
words in 30:14; cf. 31:9; also note 11:25; 21:26). Possibly 31:20 refers to her
giving cloth she has made (v. 19) to the poor who have none.
31:21. Cold weather does not cause this woman to panic for her
household (cf. v. 25b); she is prepared for it. She has clothed them in scarlet,
that is, she has provided expensive garments. She spares no cost in protecting
her family from the cold.
31:22. She even makes her family’s bed coverings. She clothes herself in
fine linen and purple. Linen is made from flax (v. 13) and purple is a dye made
from a shellfish. Her own clothes were evidences of her family’s well-to-do
position.
31:23. A noble woman enhances her husband’s standing among those
who transact legal and judicial affairs at the city gate (cf. v. 31) among the
elders . Though she is obviously aggressive and competent, she functions in a
way that honors her husband’s leadership rather then denigrates it. She
respects him and builds him up.
31:24. Again her clothing enterprise is mentioned. She makes linen clothes
for herself (v. 22) but is such a good seamstress that she also makes enough to
sell. Linen garments were expensive. Supplying merchants with sashes (belts)
speaks of her productivity.
31:25. Clothing is here referred to metaphorically to indicate that her
appearance is one of strength and dignity. She is no shameful weakling. Also
she can laugh at the future, that is, face it with confidence (cf. v. 21). Though
27:1 cautions against boasting “about tomorrow, ” that does not do away with
preparing for it (as ants do, 6:6-8; 30:25).
31:26. In keeping with the theme of Proverbs, this woman is praised for
her wisdom and faithful instruction. The instruction probably refers to her
teaching her children and her servant girls.
31:27. She is involved in management (she watches over . . . affairs of her
household). Yet she is also directly involved in various activities as a housewife.
She is not idle (cf. vv. 13, 17).
31:28-29. Her children . . . call her blessed. She is positive and optimistic
and enjoys her role in life. Her husband . . . praises her by telling others she is
the greatest of the noble women (cf. v. 10).
31:30. Her secret is her godly character. She is physically charming and
beautiful but those qualities may not last. But as a woman who fears the LORD,
she is praised by her husband (v. 28) and others (v. 31). Appropriately here
near the end of Proverbs, the book concludes the way it began, by referring to
fearing the Lord (1:7).
31:31. The writer urged his readers to recognize and reward the faithful
diligence and kindness of such a woman. She along with her husband (v. 23)
should be honored publicly. Honoring a woman at the . . . gate was not
normally done in Israel. But an unusual woman called for unusual recognition.
The virtues of a noble wife are those that are extolled throughout the Book of
Proverbs: hard work, wise investments, good use of time, planning ahead, care
for others, respect for one’s spouse, ability to share godly values with others,
wise counsel, and godly fear (worship, trust, service, obedience). As Proverbs
has stated repeatedly, these are qualities that lead to honor, praise, success,
personal dignity and worth, and enjoyment of life. In the face of the adulteress’
temptations mentioned often in Proverbs, it is fitting that the book concludes
by extolling a virtuous wife. Young men and others can learn from this noble
woman. By fearing God, they can live wisely and righteously. That is the
message of Proverbs.2
2Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois:
Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.