Your Purpose

A lot of people know about "the virtuous woman".  Women strive for it.  Men look to marry such a woman.  There are wallpapers, classes, and t-shirts with verses from Proverbs 31 printed on them.  I've all too often seen people preaching that the noble woman is just a poem, that we cannot possibly even try to achieve all of that.  "Following Christ is far easier.  He is perfect.  This woman does not exist!"

I understand.  Believe me I understand what it is to look at the virtuous woman and think, "There is no way.  I can't even come close."  She is but a blueprint though.  These are the words of King Solomon's mother to King Solomon in what to look for in a wife.  I'm sure his mom was imperfect, but she had understanding of what it was she herself was striving for.  The noble woman is living with a purpose, not achieving perfection.

To drive home my point I want to show you "the voluptuous woman".  Did you know she is also portrayed in Proverbs?  She sounds like most women I meet on the street actually.  A dime a dozen.


SHE IS LEWD (Proverbs 6:24; 2:17).   

      


SHE IS A HOME BREAKER (Proverbs 7).   
 
  
SHE IS EASY TO FIND (Proverbs 7:10-12).   
(She is not a rare gem)




SHE IS CHEAP (Proverbs30:20)       

           

SHE HAS OUTER BEAUTY
Surface attraction (Proverbs 6:25).           
                                     
 
                           
SHE WORKS WITH HER MOUTH
(lively lips but no life) (Proverbs 21:9,19; 25:24 etc.).

 

SHE IS RELIGIOUS (Proverbs 7:14).
But ungodly.

 

SHE IS OUTSIDE THE HOME
(Proverbs 7:11-12).

 

SHE DOES HER HUSBAND NOTHING BUT HARM (Proverbs 2:17).

 

SHE IS ON THE LOOSE AT NIGHT (Proverbs 7:9,18).

 

SHE KILLS HER VICTIMS (Proverbs 7:23).


 

SHE LIVES BY LUST (Proverbs 7:10).



We are given a direct contrast.  We know we are not supposed to be the above things, yes?  At a glance you know you don't want to be the voluptuous woman portrayed here.  Your marriage and life would probably be in discord much of the time.

Now look below, and see what we are supposed to be.

SHE IS LOYAL (Proverbs 31:11).


 

SHE IS A HOME MAKER (Proverbs 31).

 

SHE IS HARD TO FIND
(a rare gem) (Proverbs 31:10).

 

SHE IS PRECIOUS (Proverbs 31:10)

 

SHE HAS INNER BEAUTY
Heart attraction (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 3:4).

 

SHE WORKS WITH HER HANDS
(a lovely life producing loving words) (Proverbs 31, many verses).

 

SHE IS RIGHT WITH GOD (Proverbs 31:30).

 

SHE ABIDES IN THE HOME (Proverbs 31:27).

 

SHE DOES HER HUSBAND GOOD (Proverbs 31:12).

 

SHE IS RESTING AT NIGHT SO SHE CAN AWAKE EARLY (Proverbs 31:15).

 

SHE BLESSES HER FAMILY (Proverbs 31:28).

 

SHE LIVES BY LOVE (Proverbs 31:20).


 

Wow, it was hard to find pictures that exemplify the above verses.


Now the above is a small break down.  Much can be said in and of each verse.  For instance, read my post on Trustworthiness.  Most of this post deals with Proverbs 31:11.  You could go into much more if you study on this verse, I'm sure.


Back to my point.  The woman pictured in Proverbs 31 isn't something we are to just look at and say, "How nice."  There is a point to the words.  We are given a direct contrast.  Now when in the Bible have you ever seen such a contrast where we are not to make note of it, and to strive for the Godly version? 


I've also been a part of a study where the women came to the conclusion that the Proverbs 31 woman is describing different stages of her life.  No, that's not true either.  I hate to break it to you, but this woman is and does these things every day of her life.  No, she doesn't purchase a vineyard every single day, but she does work with her hands every day.  She is at home doing what is needed there, every day.  A woman like this cannot be any other way.  She can't be the voluptuous woman.  It isn't in her character.

It's tough striving to be the Proverbs 31 woman.  Remember though, you are imperfect.  You will fail and maybe daily if you attempt to be everything these verses entail.  It's God's purpose for a wife.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  We are to be like Christ also.  We are imperfect.  We will fail and daily.  It's God's purpose for all of us.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.