Tell Her Story: Part 1 - 'A Woman of Noble Character'

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NLT)
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
She finds wool and flax
    and busily spins it.
 She is like a merchant’s ship,
    bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
    a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
    her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread,
    her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor
    and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household,
    for everyone has warm clothes.
 
She makes her own bedspreads.
    She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
    where he sits with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments
    and sashes to sell to the merchants.
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household
    and suffers nothing from laziness.
Her children stand and bless her.
    Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
    but you surpass them all!”
 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
 

Prayer and Reflection:
God,

As we reflect on the words of Proverbs 31, I ask that you fill our hearts with your wisdom and grace. Guide us to be a woman and men of strength and compassion.

Help us to speak words of encouragement, to be a source of comfort, and to live with integrity in all our actions. Grant us the strength to work hard, to be generous with our time and resources, and to always prioritize your will above our own desires.

May our lives reflect the beauty of a heart devoted to You, and may we be a shining example of the woman and men you created us to be.

In Jesus' name, Amen."



Questions to Consider

1. How can these qualities be applied to life, regardless of gender?
2. In what ways does the virtuous woman's character challenge societal expectations of women during the biblical era and even now?
3. What does it mean to ‘fear the Lord’?
4. In what ways does Proverbs 31 challenge modern-day perceptions of femininity and masculinity?
5. If someone wrote a “Proverbs 31” story about your life, what would be your top 3 best characteristics they would include?