A friend and I were conversing one day, and at the end, the
conclusion we arrived at was that though many men pray to marry a
virtuous woman, it is a challenge for many to handle such a woman. Such
men have grown up seeing women in subjugative roles and when they come
face to face with these godly breed of women, in an attempt to fit them
into their preconceived molds, they then often decimate the answer by
making it their life's aim to break what they deem a rebellious woman’s
will. They may then declare that their wives are not submissive when
they dare to have an opinion; are not humble for presuming to stand up
for what they believe. Summarily deciding that they are not fulfilling
their God-given roles if they dare to use their brains in enterprise. It
is not unusual for these men, with a tragic lack of understanding to
use all that is in their power to 'break' their woman's spirit into
‘submissiveness.'
Some others while they place their partner on an
equal footing, may still not fully tap into the wells of potential that
she has to offer. And while the union on the surface appears ideal,
there is yet much left undiscovered.
My interest in this topic
was piqued by what Jesus said in the story of the woman with the issue
of blood when he said: " Somebody has touched me for I perceive the
virtue is come out of me." I then began to wonder if this word was the
same one referenced in Proverbs 31. I did a word study, and the fact
that they were indeed from the same root word set me on entirely new
trajectory regarding the power and wisdom embedded in these words.
Let us examine this word virtuous as described in Strong's concordance and dictionary in the context of Scripture
Strong's H2428 - chayil
חַיִל
Transliteration
chayil
Pronunciation
khah'·yil (Key)
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) Might, efficiency, wealth, army
- a) Strength
- b) Ability
- c) Wealth
- d) Force
What
a revelation this was to me! What this indicates is that a virtuous
woman is a woman of strength, might, efficiency, character and a woman
of wealth. In essence, she is a one-unit military level army!
So
to describe a virtuous woman as one who is pious yet insipid, timid,
helpless, and solely dependent on her man for sustenance and industry
would be such a wrong assumption as to be entirely inaccurate in light
what scripture has said concerning the virtuous woman.
The Bible
does not present the picture of a woman with an arrogant know-it-all
attitude, and there is no indication that such a woman is a rebellious,
un-submissive, and sinful woman. Which, unfortunately, may be the way
society describes her today.
This woman stands 100% behind her man, and as the Bible says, seeks to do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:11,12
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Such
a woman honors her husband as the head of the home.Such a woman
conducts herself with excellence and wisdom and also presents her
household in the best possible light.
So the question posed by King Solomon was: A virtuous woman - who can find such a one? For her price is far above rubies.
So
I adjure all you godly men out there - when you find a virtuous woman,
do not make her ‘un-virtuous’ by suppressing her God-given strengths and
abilities. Do not make her ‘un-virtuous’ by accusing her of wanting to
take over your role as 'the man'. Do not make her ‘un-virtuous’ by
putting her down at every opportunity, because by so doing, you may
truncate the supreme blessing God has placed in your life to help make
you great – a man who is respected in the gates.
Again a strong,
efficient, industrious, hard-working, wealthy, strong, forceful woman of
substance, excellence and ability - who can find such a woman? If you
find her oh wise man, according to the word of the Lord you do your best
to keep, cherish her, and bless God for giving her to you, for her
price in your life is far above rubies.
Much love from me to you.
© AdePero Mettabel, 04/28/13, rewritten March 2016.
Luke 8:46 (AKJV)
And Jesus said, Somebody has touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NKJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth
is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise
is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household
is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry 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, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor
are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue
is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over 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 daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm
is deceitful and beauty
is passing,
But a woman
who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
