Proverbs 31:21-31--The Woman Who Fears the LORD (Part 2)

Proverbs 31:21-31
English Standard Version
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21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.

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We spent last time talking about how this woman who fears the LORD is selfless in all things.  She didn't sleep much so that she could make sure that everyone in her household was taken care of and she managed the business and investments for her husband as well.

We continue that theme today as she makes sure that everyone in her household has adequate clothing and shelter to stay warm in the winter.  They do not fear the cold or the snow, and they are dressed in fine, expensive scarlet.  She not only makes clothes, but also bed coverings (sheets, blankets, etc.) and her clothing is made of fine linen and purple (a color worn by royal people--it was very expensive to buy purple cloth as it was difficult to make).

Up to this point, her husband has not been mentioned, but we see that the passage says here that her husband is known and well-thought of at the city gate.  We now finally get some idea why she is entrusted with home, family, business, and investments, and that is because her husband is a city elder that is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the entire city, sitting in judgment from sun-up to sun-down over business dealing and legal disputes, and this leaves him little to no time to take care of his own household.  In such situations, it would be easy for the wife to speak ill of her husband, but she speaks well of him as does everyone else.

We already discussed her making her own clothing, but it appears these are some of the items that she made that were sought after by all the merchants.  Her ability to make high-quality clothing has given her a healthy "rainy day fund" so that she is not worried about what the future holds.

She is a woman of wisdom who teaches with wisdom and kindness.  We assumed to this point that the author was calling her "wise," but this is the first time that we specifically see that trait assigned to her.  She manages all the affairs of her household with this wisdom that has been given to her.  She is not content to be idle and let others care and provide for her and her family.

Her children see all the work she has done to raise them and provide for them, and they will bless her and her name.  Her husband also praises her, because he could not do what he does without her support.  Of her they say, "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

This woman is not praiseworthy simply because of outward beauty--the author says that is both deceitful and fleeting.  No, it is the woman of the LORD with all these characteristics that we have been talking about that is to be praised.  Her character will endure long after her physical beauty has faded, she will still be revered and honored by all who know her for her inward beauty.  Let such a woman (and all such people) enjoy the fruit of their labors.  Too often they work hard to take care of others, and no one makes sure they are taken care of.  Let everyone know of the good that they have done in secret so that they too will be well-spoken of in the city gate and among the people.  While she would not (and should not) seek praise for herself, her husband and children should sing her praises for everyone to hear so that they might also aspire to have a wife or mother who is a woman who fears the LORD and so that all other women would desire to be like her.