The Virtuous Woman!

*** PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A STUDY FOR MEN & WOMEN ***

“…Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies….” Proverbs 31:10

There is a huge difference between “a woman’s ability” and “a woman’s value.” Many people judge (perhaps I should say “misjudge”) women by evaluating what they do. However, what a woman does can not compare with who a woman really is! Moreover, a “virtuous woman” is something that is so special that she is essentially too difficult to comprehend within the human experience.

First of all, true “virtue” is not something that human beings can really understand. It is not merely a condition that is readily available to just anyone. In addition, it is not something I even identify with, because I’ve never seen it before (outside of God showing it to me). While “virtue” is essentially human ability, strength and force (from the Hebrew word Chayil – khah-yil) , it is also spiritual efficiency, wealth and substance that is super-naturally contained. How? Well, this word comes from the Hebrew root, "Chuwl – khool" which is to twist, travail, be pained, made to bear and to bring forth. Furthermore, this word has a deeper meaning that is often missed in study. It also means to DANCE.

What an awesome revelation! The proverb writer asks, “…who can find a VITUOUS woman….” Yet, the virtue that he asks about can’t be found humanly, because it is “super-naturally contained.” Therefore, this question becomes “rhetorical” in essence and not humanly answerable. There is still something to be answered though… This “virtue” is also something that is “made to bear in the woman” by travail, pain, and dancing. Dancing? Oh but dancing is a great part of this virtue, because the “virtuous woman” has the kind of ability to take pain and pleasure at the same time. She will contain joy though her situation is grievous. She will dance when others may think she should be crying!

I love what this verse communicates next. “…her price is far above rubies….” The word “price” here is the Hebrew word, Meker – (meh-ker) which essentially means value that transcends humanity and spiritually certified. WOW! The “value” of the virtuous woman is so awesome that it far exceeds humanity. This also says to me that I can not see it with my own human faculties. The only thing that I (in my human experience) can identify with this value is “rubies” (today we might say diamonds, choice gold, platinum, or something else of the highest price). However, we use these “things of human value” because this is ONLY what we can identify with. Oh but this value of the virtuous woman has a value that far exceeds the “rubies” I can identify with.

I am therefore happy in Jesus that when God shows men the woman that HE has made virtuous, HE also shows us something that man had NOTHING to do with whatsoever! It is God who takes this awesome, valuable, and virtuous woman and places her in an environment whereby she can share all her power, skill and life for the production of other people. This is why the Proverb writer said, “…her children will rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her….” (verse 28) Saints, this is the kind of woman every man needs (beyond his wants). This is the kind of woman who might even intimidate other (less desirable) men!

“…Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised….” Proverbs 31:30

Grace & Peace!
Roc