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THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN Introduction: What is the image and role of today’s woman? Advertisers for Betty Crooker changed her looks to fit the times. Many of our daughters do not know the woman described in Proverbs 31.10-31. There are 22 verses, each verse is in sequential order with the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. So verse 10 begins with alpha, verses 11 with beta, and so on. Proverbs 31 describes the woman physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually. Usually read at funerals, one preacher said he refuses to read it at some funerals because it does not apply to the deceased. I) QUALITIES OF THE WOMAN A) She does her husband good and not harm, v. 10-12. 1. Eve was created
to be a help meet or helper suitable for Adam.
"Many marriages
would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on
the same side." a. In Jewish society women came to be seen as pieces of property. The close friendships of men were with other men. b. One of the reasons men kept concubines is to keep at a distance from their wives. Their wife was to have their children but she was not trust. Not uncommon for men to lock up their valuable possessions before they left on a journey. 2. . She was not created to be a competitor.
3. The virtuous woman can be trusted. The husband can leave her the checkbook, leave town and knows she will not do something she should not. B) She is industrious, works hard at her job , vv. 13-19.1. Titus 2.4-5 speaks of being a home maker. Stewardship is being described here. Being a home maker requires her to over see the home. a. Many homes are being neglected, no one is there, it has lost the center of our being. b. No longer the place where children come to after school (local clubs have taken the homes place) c. No longer where neighborhood children come to play (local clubs have taken the homes place) d. No longer the place where the family eats together (eating together?) 2. Notice she was not limited just to the house. a. Lydia sold purple, yet it was not a sacrifice to the home. 3. She is smart. While the role of men and women are different we should never say women are not as smart as men. Fanning Tant. 4. This woman was
working to help her family. She was not sacrificing her family for the sake of
her career.
C) She is kind and benevolent, shows
great compassion 1. Children want their mother when they are sick or hurt. 2. Today more benevolence is needed. a. Food at times of sickness, funerals, running errands, keeping children, etc. b. I learned long ago that most of the benevolence is done by the women. D) She is far sighted, thinks and plans for the future, v. 21 1. Provides clothes for her children in preparation for the snow. E) She clothes herself, v. 22,25 1. Godly women will want to clothe themselves modestly. a. There is a proper concern with appearance. 2. She clothes her self with character, strength and honor (comeliness, beauty, majesty). a. Not a weak wall flower but a determined lady. b. A woman needs to behave like a lady. She needs to have grace, not talk like a sailor or drink like a "man", etc. F) She fulfills her role, v. 23 1. Not a hindrance, does not hurt his reputation. 2. Are you a Jessica or a Poly Phillips. 3. Look at men disqualified to serve as deacons, elders, or preachers, due to their wives. G) Uses her talents wisely, v. 24 1. A Dorcas made clothes for the poor. 2. You are the only one that can use your ability. H) She possesses wisdom and kindness, v. 26 1. Not a busy body, has common sense, 1 Timothy 5.9-14 2. A woman has great influence on her children. They will remember the lessons taught them by their mother. Many a child has been taught a Bible lesson at home by their mother. II) SHE SHOULD BE PRAISED A) By her children 1. Children with a godly mother have a great advantage. 2. Many of my class mates in public school did not have parents that cared for them. They did not have curfews, any real discipline, etc. A child that has a godly mother has a great advantage in life. 3. "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." -- George Washington (1732-1799) B) By her husband 1. Other men wished they had your wife, Proverbs 12.4;18.22 2. Of all the home remedies, a good wife is best. 3. In the beginning we marry the one we love; as time goes on the love the one we have married. C) By society D) By the Lord Conclusion: A little boy standing before the audience forgets his lines. His mother whispers the words, "I am the light of the world." The boy says, "My mother is the light of the world." True if the mother is living as a Christian. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 05.13.07 |