“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
I. Her Virtuous Heart. “Virtue is something that is developed on the inside. It is built and instilled into an individual. Virtue is not confined just to actions but includes the motivation for such action. That’s why the price is so high. Far above rubies. A virtuous woman is a rare creature and becoming more and more rare. Yet her rarity makes her that much easier to spot. Virtue means to be of good, strong morality. (v. 11)
A. Her Dedication. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” The virtuous woman has an unflagging devotion in her heart to her husband and his heart. She is a support and strength for him. He can confide in her. He can lean on her. She does not try to take away from his role as head of the family. She is an extension and magnifier of it. A godly wife will uphold the godly name of a godly husband. Notice verse twenty-three. “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” His wife is a benefit to his reputation. (v. 11)
1. Her Conduct. “So that he shall have no need of spoil.” The virtuous woman is an excellent steward of the house. Her husband is not tempted to do something illegal or unseemly in his business because of financial pressure caused by her wasteful ways. She has no wasteful ways. She is honest and productive in the management of his house and his assets. (v. 12)
2. Her Comfort. “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” This is not her own comfort but the comfort that she gives to her husband. Because he knows that her conduct is impeccable, his soul is able to rest. He finds comfort in trusting her and knowing that she can be trusted. His possessions and his children are safely guarded under her watchful eye. (v. 12)
B. Her Delight. Now go all the way down to verse twenty-nine. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” The delight of a virtuous woman is to do good. She lives for it. She rises above below average. She rises above average. She endeavors to rise above even above average. She sees no limit to her spiritual growth. She sees no limit and no end to what she can do for others. The virtuous woman does not believe she has “arrived.” She knows that there is still yet more to do, yet more to achieve, and so she continues to try. Her personal goal is Excelsior, Excelsior. Higher, Higher. (v. 31)
1. Her Character. Come back up to verse twenty-five. “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” She is richly clothed but not with the high fashion labels. She is rich and strong in her character. She is a woman of truth. She is a woman of meekness. She is a woman of compassion and understanding. She is esteemed in high honor because she is highly honorable. Her good character makes her far more appealing than any fancy clothes she could wear. (v. 25)
2. Her Conversation. We find this in verse twenty-six. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” When she speaks, it is with the appropriate words. When she speaks, it is at the appropriate time. When she speaks, it is with the appropriate tone. She is not argumentative and demanding with her mouth, but careful, decent, and kind. (v. 26)
II. Her Valuable Hands. Verse sixteen is one of several verses that speak of this woman’s hands. “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” The hands of the virtuous woman produce something. Something needful and worthwhile comes of what she does with her hands. She knows how to spend her time wisely. She knows how to use her time and her hands effectively. Her price is far above rubies and the fruit of her hands only adds to her value. When she applies herself to something, it can be assured the it is useful and beneficial to the needs of her family. (v. 16)
A. Her Labor. Turn your attention to verse thirty-one. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” The virtuous woman does not need to draw attention to herself. We live in a day where everyone feels they need a cookie and a pat on the back for everything. They take pictures of every single routine thing that they do, put it on the internet, and expect a trophy. The virtuous woman is content to let her diligence and labor speak for her. The gates were where the great men sat. It was where the news of the town was discussed. The virtuous woman is willing to be known by her tireless efforts. (v. 31)
1. Her Skill. Verse nineteen says, “She layeth up her hands to the spindle, and her hands to the distaff.” The virtuous woman is diligent at her trade. Whether she works outside of the home or tending just to the home, she is diligent about her business. She hones her skill. She is diligent to become good at what she does. It is important to her. It is important to the function of her family. (v. 19)
2. Her Strength. In verse seventeen, we find that “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” She has need of strength. She has much to do. She has a strong arm with which she carries out her labors. She has a strong arm that supports her husband and comforts her children. She has an inner strength that is expressed by her outer strength. (v. 17)
B. Her Love. Verse fifteen says, “She riseth also while it is night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” It is worthwhile to the virtuous woman to rise early. There are those that depend upon her. With great love and tenderness of spirit, she cares for her own. Even those who are there as hired employees are not exempt from her love. As the Lord Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washed the feet of His disciples, she becomes a servant to those who serve her.(v. 15)
1. Her Stamina. Look `at verse five now. “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” This virtuous woman knows that her labor is of high value. She does it well, and it is well worth it. Therefore, she continues with it. Her own rest is less important to her than the carrying out of her role as wife and mother. She takes it as seriously as any other part of her life. (v. 18)
2. Her Sincerity. Verse twenty says that, “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Her kindness and generosity extends further than just to her own family. A virtuous woman is filled with a compassion for others. She has trained herself to it by caring for her family. She has created for herself a habit of compassion. (v. 20)
III. Her Vibrant Household. Go to verse twenty-seven. “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” The greatest testament of the virtuous woman is the condition of her household. Her family is well cared for and well presented. She sees to it with all of her effort. What comes to her mouth is well earned. Her household is made presentable by the labors of her hands. She is the support and strength of her family. They rely upon her. Her house functions because of her. Her presence is necessary because she sees to all of the ways of her household. She is the overseer and the director of the house. (v. 27)
A. Her Provision. “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” The virtuous woman attends to the needs of her family with diligence. She makes her house a place of safety, shelter, and comfort. There is no reason to be concerned with the winter months. The house will be warm. Mother makes the house a home. The family is well provided for in mother’s care.” (v. 13)
1. Her Nourishment. Now look at verse fourteen. “She is like the merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” She will go to whatever lengths necessary to feed her family. Mother makes certain that none in her house goes hungry. The virtuous woman always seems to be the last to eat. Her children’s stomach and that of her husband come before her own. She is not virtuous because she does this. She does this because she is virtuous. It is her heart’s desire to put her family first. (v. 14)
2. Her Necessities. Verse twenty-one says, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” She prepares not just the food for the table but also tends to the other needs of her family. A mother sees that the homework is done and the baths are taken. She soothes the wounds and calms fears. She sees to it that none are neglected but happy and well kept. (v. 21)
B. Her Preciousness. A virtuous woman is precious in the sight of God and in the eyes of her family. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” A virtuous woman need not be wrapped up in the world’s standards of beauty. Physical beauty is temporal. It fades like the flower. Outward beauty may disguise something hideous on the inside. Inward beauty may be disguised by plain features. Isaiah said that to look at the Lord Jesus in His physical form was to not see His true beauty. “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Yet to see Jesus as Lord and Savior is to see that He is altogether lovely.
1. Her Heritage. Look lastly at verse twenty-eight. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” A mother should be adorned with respect and love by her children simply because she is their mother. Yet so much greater that love and honor is for a mother that is virtuous. A virtuous mother is greatly loved by her children because of the great love she bestows upon her children. (v. 28)
2. Her Husband. “Her Husband also, and he praiseth her.” A good and godly husband will find good things to say about his wife. Yet the husband of a godly, virtuous woman has a bounty of good things to choose from when he praises his wife. He has no choice but to praise her because of her dedication and delight, her love and labor, her provision and preciousness. (v. 28)