A Capable Woman

The character of the woman of Proverbs 31 is one of exemplary moral virtue founded on spiritual and practical wisdom. It is set forth as a prayer as told to King Lemuel (who is generally believed to be King Solomon) by his mother for her son’s future wife. I read recently that the ancient Jewish rabbis called sages thought that Ruth who was Solomon’s great-great-grandmother was the inspiration for the passage.

It is my plan to look at this amazing woman and consider many of her characteristics and actions in the light of companion verses in the old and new testament such as Titus 2, for the purposes of understanding God’s plan for my life as a wife, mother and daughter of the Most High. I pray that it will be a blessing to you and that God may use it for your good.

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies."
Proverbs 31:10, NLT

I usually read the KJV yet in this verse the words ‘virtuous’ and ‘capable’ are an admirable attempt by the NLT translators to faithfully communicate the definition of the Hebrew word ‘Chayil’ which is not an adjective, like the English words virtuous and capable are used this context, but a noun. It encapsulates strength, might, efficiency, ability. It is as if the woman of Proverbs 31 was the personification of these qualities. The word used in other verses, for both men and women, and by looking at their context you can begin to understand more clearly what a ‘virtuous woman” really looks like. Here are just a few;

In Exodus 18:21 ‘Chayil’ we find translated as “able” - similar to the above verse’s “capable”. Moses was to find "able men" (literally - men of strength) such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. In consequence I think it is logical to assert that a virtuous man is one who fears God, loves truth and hates sin. Moses was to look for and find such men, and the implication is that such men were not commonplace - just like Proverbs 31 woman, “who can find a virtuous woman? She is as rare and precious as a ruby”.

In 1 Kings 1:52 where Solomon contrast a “worthy man” or “man of strength” with one that has wickedness found in him. Thus a virtuous man is a man of great moral strength, in whom wickedness is not found. He is a godly, God-fearing man, so also, the virtuous woman is a godly, God-fearing woman. This concept is further supported by the familiar passage from Proverbs 1 which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 12:4 we learn that a virtuous woman, a woman of strength, does not make her husband ashamed. I shall be revisiting this verse latter when I get to verse 12.

The last example is where ‘Chayil’ is used of both Ruth and Boaz in the Book of Ruth. In Ruth 2:1 Boaz is described as a ‘mighty man of wealth” or literally “an exceedingly strong man of strength”. This is quiet an accolade - no wonder Ruth wanted to be in his favour. In Ruth 3:11 everyone in the city knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman! I don’t think this is because she went around telling everyone, or even that her Mother-in-law Naomi sung her praises constantly, but that when a woman has strength of character (fears God, loves truth, hates sin) it is so evident in her person that people cannot help but see it. I can imagine that the descendants of Ruth and Boaz, before Solomon, would of told stories about their Godly heritage to their children that would of been similar to what we find in Proverbs 31.

From these verses we can add to our understanding that a virtuous woman is the embodiment of strength, might, efficiency, ability, worthy both in character and body. She is an able woman such that fears God, loves truth and hates sin. She is rare and precious and has no wickedness found in her. She does not make her husband ashamed but is know by those around her as a woman of virtue.

The application to our life of these verses in our characters is that we first commit this work to God. The Bible says that He who began a work in us at salvation shall surely continue it till the end. We are not to “try” and do anything in our own strength for this is when it shall fail. Slowly and prayerfully change things as they come to mind.

There are three steps in this process:

1. Recognise that what you have been doing or thinking is a sin again God
2. Rejoice that Jesus has already paid the price for your sin and that your relationship with God is thus secure.
3. Reform your thoughts by reading the Bible, understanding and conforming to God’s understanding rather than our own or the worlds - Commit yourself to Him. Pray asking God to change your thoughts. From this understanding will flow into a change of actions. Asking for the support, through prayer and accountability, of a Godly Christian woman is also of great benefit, especially when you have been through this process before.

Becoming a virtuous and capable woman, one of strength, might, efficiency, ability, worthy both in character and body is possible, but it is God that must do the work. What I think is most exciting is that He wants to do it, He yearns to do it, He that began a work in us will continue it until we are seated in Heavenly places with Him. What an amazing God we have!

Thank you for visiting our blog, I pray that it has been a blessing to you. Let me take this opportunity to invite you back again next week when Margaret shall be writing a post that I am sure will be of great encouragement.

God Bless,

Laura