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Well, Beloved, this is one of those days that people have been talking about since last year. It’s 11 – 11 – 11. It’s also a day I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while. One of the scripture reading for Sunday, November 13, 2001 is a collection of verses from Proverbs 31. This passage is the description of A Virtuous Woman. You might recall I’ve mentioned that term a couple of times previously. Today that passage in Proverbs is the focus of the message. I’m not going to paste the whole passage here, but I will give you a link so you can take a moment and read Proverbs 31:10-31.
Much of the book of Proverbs deals with the excellence of Wisdom and the practicality of obtaining and using Wisdom. The opening chapter of Proverbs states these sayings are the writings of Solomon, David’s son and the purpose “is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.” The end of Chapter 1 warns against the rejecting Wisdom, and chapters 2-4 commends the pursuit of Wisdom. Chapters 5-7 warn the people against folly and fools. That is followed by appeals to young people to begin harkening to Wisdom’s call early in life and to follow her always.
In much of the Wisdom Literature in the Bible, Wisdom is personified as being female. Wisdom is with the Trinity when the universe was created. Wisdom is the cooperating accompanist to the symphony of creation, “the music of the spheres.” Wisdom is to be desired above all else, and is more valuable than any treasure one might possess.
This is the same tack taken in today’s passage. The passage describes a woman who could be the composite of everything ideal in a wife. She is the accomplished woman of wide-ranging intelligence, pleasant beauty, and unquestionable, invincible faith in God. Her love for God and his guidance is epic, unswerving, and the pattern for all her human relationships. She is the paragon of practicality and the quintessence of creativity simultaneously. She is wise, humorous, attractive, modest, honest, the model of integrity, and does all things well. She is A Virtuous Woman. One of the things I have learned from Pastor Jon Courson is that it is always instructive to look for the first occurrence of a Biblical term because there you will find the information you need to see what it means and how it applies in other contexts. The first use of the phrase a virtuous woman occurs in the story of Ruth – one of the two books in the Bible named after a woman (Esther is the other one). Catholic scripture includes a third book, Judith, which is an exciting tale about a feisty and daring Jewish widow who bested an enemy general and saved her community. But, let’s get back to Ruth.
In Ruth 3:11 we see this term for the first time as Boaz is speaking to Ruth: “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. In various translations those last few words are (New Jerusalem Bible) a woman of great worth (New Living Translation) an honorable woman (New American Bible) a worthy woman. For all of these, the word used in Hebrew is חַיִל; chayil {khah’-yil}. It is a word that signifies valor, valiance, strength, riches, might, wealth, efficiency. And here’s a little something to think about: It is used when referring to both men and women who are extraordinary examples of great courage, strength, integrity, and most importantly love of and reverence for God and his commands. So Boaz was saying to Ruth that he would be a helper and protector for her and her mother-in-la (Naomi) and he knew it would be OK to help her even though she was a foreigner from Moab (an enemy state) because she was an exceptional woman.
There are other places in scripture that help us get a better sense of what this trait of exceptionality is like. In Proverbs 12:4, for example, we see one of the typical example/contrast verses: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh [him] ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. That’s telling it like it is! In Proverbs 11:16 we have another example of a trait for exceptional women. “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” The Hebrew word used here for “gracious” is chen {khane}, and it denotes pleasant, elegant, graceful, charming, pleasant.
If your Bible has notes and cross-references, start with verse 10 in Proverbs 31, and follow them all, each time coming back to Proverbs 31. Read the notes for the verses cross-referenced, and listen for God – you are immersed in his Word as you do this – and he will tell you about how much he values A Virtuous Woman. If you do not have a Bible with helps, or if you do not have a bible at all, go to http://bible.cc/proverbs/31-10.htm, and use the notes and commentaries there.
Another thing to know about this passage is that it is an acrostic – each verse begins with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet, and they go on in alphabetic order. Not surprisingly, that made it easier to remember the verses. This passage gives the description of a wife who is – literally – “fit for a King” (Lemuel is the name given at the start of the chapter). In that sense, it describes the ideal wife, the consummate “I Am Woman” from a Biblical standpoint.
Last week I wrote about an advancing tsunami of evil that seems to be overtaking us daily. There are so many disgusting trap-doors of temptation and sin, a true gantlet (or gauntlet if you prefer) of creepy offenses and perversions that people succumb to every day. But there is a remnant of righteousness, and that is why I have looked forward to this message for quite a while. I want you to recognize the Virtuous Woman you already know. You can recognize her by that glow she has, that unmistakable Light of Goodness around her. She is honest, generous, strong, intelligent, attractive, successful, and above all she is God-fearing and faith-building in everything she does. I have the honor of having met a few such women, and they are indeed extraordinary. Some I have not met, but know about, are Mother Teresa, Ruth Graham, and Catherine Marshall. There are also men who are Virtuous Men; I have referred to them as Men of Valor. They project that same solid spiritual stance, and give tirelessly of the energy, time, and faith. They are men of constant prayer, unassailable courage, and gracious in all things because of their deeply-rooted strength of character. The Bible has quite a list of “Mighty Men of Valor” including Joshua, Gideon, Jephthah, Jeroboam, Naaman, Zadok, David, and Abner.
Now just to be clear, The Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31 is, of course, a personification of perfection. None of us is perfect. Would someone whose life reflects the characteristic of Virtue or Valor have flaws? Of course! We are humans, we are sinners, and we are flawed. Is the Virtuous Woman or the Valiant Man ever angry? Naturally! But on observation of how that is expressed, it is most likely to be righteous anger based on a fierce loyalty to Justice. Do these persons ever hurt others, or doubt their call, or feel down-in-the-dumps? I imagine they do, because they are not yet perfected. They are, however, committed to Perfection and when they are angry, or hurt, or flawed, or blatantly human, they have a testament we can all see and accept: They need no testimony other than their faith and works which are plainly seen by all. In 1 Timothy 2:10 – For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. Proverbs 31:31 – Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates. You know at least one woman, and probably even one man, whose Light, and generosity, and integrity, intelligence, uniqueness, peaceful spirit, dedication to justice, works of charity, strength of character, kindness, diligence, reverence, zeal for the Lord, and service to God and family and friends and all – in all these and more, they are beyond reproach. Perfect? No. Beautifully remarkable? Certainly. Remarkably Beautiful? Most likely they will deny it, but we can see that they are. God made them special so we could see what a Good God he is!
I also want you to know about a very special website at http://avirtuouswoman.org/ and I would especially like you to visit http://avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31-woman/. As you read that second webpage, I’m betting that a picture will form in your mind of someone you know who fits that description. When you recall that person, and if she has an email address, send her that link in a little note that says, “I thought you would enjoy this. It reminds me so much of you.”
And here is some advice for men and women about taking steps toward this kind of exceptional life from 2 Peter 1: 3-8 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lastly, Beloved, from last week we saw that at the beginning of Proverbs there was a command to fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10) and this week we see the personification of the woman who fulfills that command. The qualities in her are the same as the qualities in Wisdom. She is a diligent and respectful daughter, a faithful and supportive sibling, an exemplary and loving spouse, a kind and caring mother, and in all these roles of a woman she is first and foremost a humble and obedient servant of God. She plans well for herself and for her family. She looks after the poor, the outcast, and the marginalized. She applies herself to charitable works quietly but effectively. She is a good steward of her own energy, knowledge, skill, and ability and applies that stewardship to the running of her household. She is indeed worth more than rubies and gold, and a crown of blessing for her husband – if she is married. A celibate woman with these characteristics is an asset to her community. I believe God chose just such a crown for me just 43 years and one week ago when I reached out among a group of strangers to shake hands with a woman who introduced herself as “Airman Gonzales.” These days, hundreds of kids and grownups call her “Mrs. Todd.” I often call her “punkin.”
Share-A-Prayer
Polly Faso moved from CCU to Hospice the evening of November 8. Family and friends have kept vigil with her as she found peace in being extubated. We share their expectation that Polly will also soon know the Joy and Freedom of absolutely no illness or pain.
ECP asks for prayers of hope, healing, and health for problems with his knees and feet, and the nerves that supply his lower limbs.
KG asks for your continued prayers. The tension and sadness felt by the children is a new burden of pain. It seems now it is a matter of waiting for KB to finish what he’s started. Also there is the necessity of a repeat cancer screening and a history of cancer in the family.
Pray also for FO undergoing her second round of chemo, and for all our members, family, friends, and acquaintances with cancer who are either undergoing treatment or are in remission, recovery, or relapse. Include everyone who is experiencing a need for healing.
Pray for our leaders in all the roles in our lives: For fathers and mothers, rulers, legislators, judges and courts, clergy and religious of all the peoples, bosses and supervisors, and all our households.
Remember also our friends and relatives suffering from addictions. Satan has them right where he wants them, so we need to pray against that bondage. But stand firm for The Right Things.
Pray for the missionaries, retreat and revival preachers, evangelists, and good servants of God that they will model their lives after A Virtuous Woman, placing the Wisdom of Reverence for God at the center of their faith, hope, love, and all their works.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved.
chick
Aloha, Beloved. Today I am thinking about this verse from Sunday’s readings. It’s one of those passages that is really familiar, but I haven’t really thought much of until earlier this week. As I researched what it means, I was surprised by its content.
“While he may be found, …” Another aspect of the nature of God that we often toss about as if we understood it is “eternal.” God is eternal. He existed before time began, exists now – everywhere, and will always exist. We think of time as linear – yesterday, today, and tomorrow – but all of those are the same thing in eternity. So why would Isaiah say, “while he may be found?” Is there a time-limit on salvation? When I think of that I think of Noah and the day the floods started. Every animal God had provided for Noah to put on board was inside the Ark. They stayed aboard for a week before the rain started – ample time for others to change their minds – and then God closed the door to the Ark (
So this passage tells us to pay attention to God’s presence in our lives, and to acknowledge that presence by calling upon him. When we do both of these with the conviction and desire to be with him, near him, as much as possible, then we begin to know him more and more. The more we know him, the more we love him because we know better how much he loves us.
