Redeemed Woman

I promised in my last post on Genesis 2:18 some practical ways we can be good helpers to our husbands. God’s Word is a treasure chest for all practical things on this topic, but my favorite passage is Proverbs 31:10-31. In context, we have a loving mother teaching her son (Proverbs 31:1) the distinguishing traits of an excellent wife (Proverbs 31:10). God is so gracious to us wives as to give us Proverbs 31:10-31 in His Holy Book. It is undebatable that the Proverbs 31 woman is the gold standard for being a good helper (Proverbs 31:29).

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:11-12 (ESV)

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Proverbs 31:28-29

The table below organizes her life for us to easily see her “to-do” list. I have also shared some of my reflections on this passage.

Helping Tasks	Verse Reference(s)	Reflections
household caretaker	Proverbs 31:13-15, 21, 27	She works with willing hands (v. 13). The willingness of her hands reflect her willing heart. She brings her family’s food from afar, rising before sunrise to make sure her household and even her maidservants are fed (v. 14-15). She gives the best care to her family. She works hard for them. She loves all in her home and shows no favoritism. She doesn’t worry but plans for future needs (v.21).
child(ren) rearing	Proverbs 31:25-26	She spends quality time with her children, grandchildren, and others in her household, teaching them. Her teaching is wise and instructs kindness. She wasn’t just giving lip service, but those who were closest to her – who lived with her – can testify that she lived what she taught (v. 25, 29). Children learned righteous living from their mothers and grandmothers. (See Proverbs 31:1)
financial contributions	Proverbs 31:16-19, 24	She makes wise financial decisions (v.16, 18) to benefit her family. She is not afraid to work hard with her hands (v.16, 19), utilizes her craft and skills, produces quality goods (v.18), and practices honest business (v.24) to help her husband provide for the family.
community contributions	Proverbs 31:20, 23	From her open hands, the most needy are benefitted in her community and finds comfort and love (v.20). She builds up her husband’s reputation among the community members. Other people give him as much respect as she does, and he is able to contribute to the community due to her contributions to his life at home(v.23).

I realize that the Proverbs 31 woman “to-do” list above maybe common knowledge to many of us. But, if the Proverbs 31 standard was so easy then why are so many of us struggling? Because it is hard to respect a man when he doesn’t meet your expectations. It is hard to love children when they break your heart and make you cry over their disobedience. It is hard to serve others when they do not respect you. It is hard to continually love others when you do not feel that same love back. It is hard to be nice when you are so tired of being sick and tired. It is hard to take care of your family when you have chronic pain. Sisters, we need to get our heads and our hearts in the right place. And, it starts by refocusing our eyes on Jesus.

In my next post, I will share some of my thoughts on the last two verses on the Proverbs 31 woman. I believe these two last verses give us the foundation to which we can stand as faithful helpers to our husbands, even when things seem impossible. Until then, please meditate on Proverbs 31:30-31. Think deeply about it, study it, and pray it. May the Lord open our eyes to His ways and lift our burdens.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

    and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:30-31 (ESV)