Tuesday: A Virtuous Woman
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies
(Prov. 31:10) .
Who is the virtuous woman
of Proverbs 31:10? A number of indications suggest that the author has more in mind than a godly woman or the ideal wife. Following the lead of many passages of the book (Prov. 1:20–33, Prov. 3:13–20, Prov. 4:5–9, Proverbs 8), we have good reason to think that the virtuous
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
woman
represents wisdom. This personification of wisdom as a woman is justified not only because the Hebrew word for wisdom,
chokmah, is a feminine noun, but because it also allows the Hebrew writer to draw all kinds of concrete lessons for our daily life. Wisdom is not pictured as some lofty and unreachable ideal, but as a very practical and approachable woman who could become our life companion.
This last teaching about wisdom is given through a beautiful acrostic poem: each verse begins with a Hebrew letter following the alphabetic order, as in the book of Lamentations and in many psalms.
Compare the text on wisdom in Proverbs 8 with our text on the virtuous woman.
What features of the virtuous woman
remind us of wisdom in the book of Proverbs?
1. She is precious and worth finding (Prov. 31:10, Prov. 8:35) .
2. Her worth is more than rubies (Prov. 31:10; Prov. 8:10-11, Prov. 8:18-19) .
3. She provides food (Prov. 31:14, Prov. 8:19) .
4. She is strong (Prov. 31:17, Prov. 31:25; Prov. 8:14) .
5. She is wise (Prov. 31:26, Prov. 8:1) .
6. She is praised (Prov. 31:28, Prov. 8:34) .
Though we live in the so-called information age, and though we have acquired so much more knowledge than had previous generations, there’s little to indicate that our generation is any wiser than previous generations. Indeed, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, We have guided missiles and misguided men.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:21. What does it say to you, and how can this idea help you live by faith?
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Hi,
Is the "virtuous woman" of Proverbs 31 a real woman or a "personification of wisdom" as the author has put it. The author has also quoted E.G.White's Book "Education p.217" on page 155, of the Teachers Lesson Guide. I think Mrs. White seemed to have had the understanding that the "Virtuous woman" of Proverbs 31 is indeed a real woman.
I must confess that I am lost. Please can someone clarify this for me...
I think it pertains to both. A virtuous woman should have all of these attributes and at the same time they were likening wisdom to a virtuous woman. So, wisdom is personified as a virtuous woman so that people could understand better what having wisdom is like/should be like. On the other hand, these verses also show that a virtuous woman will have these attributes. So both interpretations are correct I believe, and the verses are supposed to make you think and compare both interpretations.
I concur with Shan and also recognize that the qualities expressed here should apply to us all of us
I'll try and answer to the question asked at the end "What does it say to you, and how can this idea help you live by faith?
The given passage- 1 Corinthians 1:21. "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
The idea given in the lesson is that a virtuous woman signifies "wisdom". The given passage from 1 corinthians shows us that "...the world through wisdom did not know God..."
So finding wisdom is like finding a virtuous woman that leads us to know God.
I ask this question- What or who is Wisdom that leads me to God?
The bible answers- "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor 1:24 (KJV)
Jesus is the wisdom of God Who alone can lead us to God. John 14:6.
Wisdom can also be the Law (Deut. 4: 5,6)
The Law is the shadow of Christ (Heb 10:1)
Ok, back to the question- "What does it say to you, and how can this idea help you live by faith?
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Prov 4:7 (KJV)
The dictionary meaning for principal is "first in order of importance;"
If the bible says that "Wisdom is the principal thing" (first in order of importance) then i must "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" and all this things that we read about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 "will be added unto you".
The question asked, "How does this idea help me live by faith?
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Col 1:26-27 (KJV)
Christ in us (wisdom in us) is our hope of glory.
Christ in a man will help him find a virtuous woman.
Christ in a woman will help her become a virtuous woman.
This will help us to live by faith.
Praise be to God.
Very good analogy of the virtuous woman as it relates to wisdom. When you read through the Proverbs you will notice key words associated with wisdom like understanding, knowledge,discretion,discernment and instruction. These are all attributes of Wisdom. The femininity of the word and the simile used shows that there is a clear comparison and association with the conclusion of the proverbs on a virtuous woman as rightly depicted and comparably so with similar attributes found in Proverbs 8. There is also a contrast in the proverbs of wisdom to a fool even when it states that 'Wisdom is too high for a fool' etc. And the the opposite of a virtuous woman being an adulterous woman and an unwise man being a fool. So God is saying unto us men that he expects us to seek after wisdom in all our undertakings but especially in our relationship choosing, and he is saying unto women to purpose to he a blessing in the lives of their husbands and not harbour a contentious, brawling and adulterous spirit which is dishonoring to God and lead to destruction.
I have learned that apart from God I can not be the woman that He has created me to be. I have learned that a virtuous woman is a woman who fears God and teaches His word to her family. I have learned that God has placed a special blessing upon mothers and women so that she can accomplish the goals that God has set for her and here family. I have learned that God loves me.
Virtuous Woman - whether it's a real woman or "personification of wisdom", both are for the benefit of human salvation.
I need help on the lesson on monday especially on the analysis on the use of expressions "who is perishing" and "bitter of heart". Realy need to get justification on lemuel's mother on those two points.
Wisdom is GOD given as much as a virtuous woman. No man can find unless God provides.
Great work. May the LORD bless you all.
RE: "What does [1 Cor 1:21] say to you, and how can this idea help you live by faith?" A different perspective w/similar conclusion to seek God first.
I find the AMP translation helpful here:
1 Cor 1:21 (AMP): For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be head through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).
To me, 1 Cor 1:21 says: its all about the filter one choses to interpret the world with. If one seeks salvation w/God he/she will use God's Word to determine what is truth and false. God's Word will influence one's behavior and thought. This is acting in faith b/c God's Word and the salvation provided within seems foolishness to our earthly minds. We have to read it through the Holy Spirit for it to touch our earthly hearts. We have to believe in something unseen and not-earthly to utilize that filter, i.e.: live by faith.
Heb 11:1 (AMP) Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
Much like different filters on a camera can use to incluence the outcome of a picture.