A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

When we speak about virtuous women, what comes to mind? A holy, well behaved, meek woman? One who must never be angry, never sin, never argue with her husband? One who never misses a church service, who is a worker and perfect in the things of God? A great wife and mother?
Whilst the above are great traits, there is more to being a virtuous woman. God thinks more highly of us as women. He wants more for us than we want for ourselves, he sees us as creations that can have it all and still remain standing. He built us to be warriors who go into battles without the fear of failure. We are his most treasured possessions.
This book was written by a woman, like myself (King Lemuel’s mother) and she encapsulates Practically everything that God has called a woman to be. I have read this passage over and over again and the bar has been set so high. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m not half way there yet. However, I believe that this is what God has called me to be and he is able to do exceedingly, abundantly far above all we could ever ask or imagine.
This passage gives me the conviction that we are just scratching the surface of the great potential that God has placed in us. He is faithful to bring this to pass because we have the Grace for completion.
There is nothing that portrays a virtuous woman as perfect. She has her flaws but God loves her just the way she is and justifies her by his Grace and mercies as long as She is available to be used as a vessel for his Glory.God is not in love with a future version of you. He loves you just the way you are, he loves your journey, and will continue to love you until eternity
A virtuous woman depicts not just an earthly wife, but God’s faithful bride. It is not a to do list. It is the picture of a woman striving to attain purpose and not perfection.
As we pray, we will reference parts of this scripture to virtuous women in the bible and how this may relate to our personal lives.

Proverbs:31:10A virtuous woman who can find? For her worth is far above rubies.Definition of Rubies: precious stone, red coral, mother pearl.The scripture says we are worth ‘far above’ rubies.This reminds me of a woman named Rahab. (A precious stone in the rough). In Joshua 2, the bible identified her as a Harlot but all she had to do ( the game changer) was obey the voice of God by helping the spies. She had no idea how that obedience was going to pay off.She didn’t know her worth in the eyes of God. As far as she was concerned, the pact she had made with the spies was to protect and deliver herself and her family. However, God had greater plans, she was not only accepted to marry an Israelite, she was also positioned in the lineage of Grace to be one of our saviour’s great grandmothers.Obedience took her from zero( a harlot) to hero (a Queen).The first step to being a virtuous woman is by obeying the voice of a God. Not the voice of the world. Rahab had an option to be loyal to her earthly king but opted for the higher calling.

OH LORD, LIKE RAHAB, HELP ME TO LISTEN TO THE CALL OF OBEDIENCE.
MOULD ME INTO A PRICELESS GEM. OPEN MY EYES TO SEE WHAT I AM REALLY WORTH

V 11-12 Verse 11 practically calls her a woman of loyalty, trust and integrity. It refers to her husband as this is the person closest to her. In our case, it is Jesus. How trustworthy are we to God and those close to us? How well can they rely on us, how comfortable can they be confiding in us? Are you this person?Rahab, even though she was a harlot and did almost anything for money proved herself to be trustworthy and made sure her family was included in the negotiations she made with the spies. She displayed initiative and integrity for the deliverance of her entire family. God was able to work with her because she had a trustworthy heart.2 Timothy2:15

HELP ME BECOME A WORTHY AND FAITHFUL BRIDE TO YOU.
I ASK FOR UNRESERVED TRUST OF MY HUSBAND AND EVERYONE I SURROUND MYSELF WITH.
MAKE IT MY DESIRE TO DO NO HARM AS I SERVE YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

V 13She seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands.She uses her hands to do what is profitable (Lydia, the lady of purple. Acts 16:14,40) A hardworking, successful and influential business woman who dealt in luxury linen. However, she was passionate about the things of God. She grasped what was Holy (God) and good ( success and multiple blessings).She was the first recorded European convert to Christianity and is sanctioned a saint in the Catholic Church.

OH LORD, HELP MY HANDS GRASP WHAT IS HOLY AND GOOD.
I LET GO OF WHAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR MYSELF AND THE KINGDOM ( Rahab let go of her nation, neighbours, friends etc because they were unprofitable to her destiny)

V14-15She is like a merchant ship, she brings food for afar.What is a merchant ship? It is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. It is a contrast from a pleasure craft which is used for personal recreation.So as opposed to that initial assumption that the above means prosperity, it infact defines a selfless woman, who sacrifices time for her loved ones and community. Rahab, Esther, Ruth, Lydia, Mary Magdalene (when she poured expensive fragrance at the feet of Jesus).

PURGE ME OF ANY FORM OF SELFISHNESS AND RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
HELP ME PERFORM MY TASKS AS A WOMAN CHEERFULLY.

V16She considers a field and buys it, from her profit she plants a vineyard.To consider something, we need a heart of discernment. Like Rahab. Without discernment and understanding of the God of Israel, she could never have made a pact with the spies.-ANOINT ME WITH THE SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT AND SPIRITUAL INSIGHTv17She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.There is no gain saying that we need spiritual and physical strength to become virtuous women. One common characteristics amongst all the virtuous women in the bible is strength. Esther summoned strength to pray, fast and approach the king for the deliverance of the Jews.Ephesians 6:11

OH LORD, CLOTHE ME WITH THE ARMOR OF GOD
GIRD ME WITH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. (Here’s also a reminder that we need to take good care of our bodies, the temple of God. Remember Esther before she approached the king. She dressed up beautifully well).
HELP ME USE MY BODY TO HONOUR YOU AS A LIVING SACRIFICE

V 18-19Her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hand to the distaff and her hand holds the spindle.Consider the parable of the 10 virgins. All were potentially virtuous believers/ women. But what set them apart was the ability to keep their lamps burning for the arrival of the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1-13)Are you constantly on fire for God or does your lamp burn out when challenges set it. When your lamp is flickering due to the winds of life, may be the exact time the bridegroom is calling for your attention.

BAPTISE ME WITH FIRE THAT NEVER BURNS OUT (Acts 2:1-4) The identity of the first church: Brides of Christ.

V20She extends her hands out to the needy, yes, she reaches out her hands to the poor.This is a woman with a heart of love. Reminds me of Dorcas, a woman whose love for humanity raised her back from the dead. This means that love overcomes EVERYTHING, even death. (Acts 9:36-42).

MAY MY LIFE BE A REFLECTION OF YOUR LOVE.
MAY THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE PERMANENTLY EMANATE FROM MY LIPS IJN.
GIVE ME A GENEROUS SPIRIT TO ENABLE ME BE A BLESSING TO THOSE HURTING IJN

V21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for her household is clothed with scarlet.Why is she not afraid? She is prepared, she lives intentionally. She is organised and strategic. She thinks about the long term and does not just live for the moment. Like Rahab and Ruth.

I MAKE A DECISION TO LIVE INTENTIONALLY.
I RECEIVE ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS IJN
I COVER MY HOUSEHOLD WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS (when I see the blood, i will Passover you).Scarlet represents the blood of Jesus. 1Peter1: 18-19.
CLOTHE MY HOUSEHOLD WITH A GARMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Isaiah 61:10).

V22 &24She makes tapestry for herself, Her clothing is fine linen and purple.Let’s talk about Lydia( the lady of purple) a bit more. History calls her a successful business woman. She had influence, foresight, and was a woman of generosity and determination. She reminds us that we can have it all provided our blessings and success is solely for one purpose: To Glorify the name of God.

CLOTHE ME WITH FINE LINEN (YOUR GLORY) THAT I MAY BE PURE AND HOLY BEFORE YOU.
MAY MY PASSION FOR YOU REFLECT AND BRING SUCCESS OVER THE WORK OF MY HANDS IJN.
MAY MY LIFE CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE FOR YOUR BEAUTY IJN. MOSES HUMILITY CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE FOR GODS BEAUTY.

V23Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.Queen Vashti ridiculed her husband, the king in the midst of his friends and subjects. Esther restored glory back to king Ahasuerus. As brides of Christ’s and earthly wives, we are admonished to bring divinity, Glory and honour to the ones we have be been called to serve.

OH LORD MAY YOUR VIRTUE OVER ME BRING HONOUR FOR MY HUSBAND, CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES IJN (proverbs 18:22).
AS A BRIDE OF CHRIST, LET MY LIFE BE A REFLECTION OF THE GOD I SERVE IJN

V27She watches over her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. This scripture tells me that because you are taking care of your children or being a wife, is no excuse to be idle. I’m not saying, you have to be making millions but we have been called to be productive. It is possible to be busy doing nothing if what we do impacts no one. There is a place for you to function in the body of Christ. The bread of idleness births nothing good. It is lethal and poisonous for the soul. It births depression, gossip, envy, bitterness, self pity, hatred, discontentment, false identity, pride etc.If Esther had opted for the bread of idleness when Mordecai asked for help, we probably won’t be talking about her today. Like Mordecai told her, God would have raised someone else who may have replaced her in history. God Has a Special place for you in his kingdom. You have not been called to be idle.

I REFUSE TO EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS.
I EMBRACE MY CALLING TO BE PRODUCTIVE IJN

The woman with the issue of blood that was identified by her illness and circumstances because this overwhelmed her entire life and limited her from being who she was called to be. However, something happened when she reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’s Garment. She received complete wholeness (Mark5: 25-34).