THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN’S HANDS (1)

“She seeks wool and flax, and WILLINGLY WORKS with HER HANDS”” – Proverbs 31:13

Society’s assets are greatly enhanced by the value placed on the VIRTUOUS WOMAN’S HANDS: “She seeks wool and flax, and WILLINGLY WORKS with HER HANDS” (Pro.31:13). Virtuous women become exemplary mothers and grandmothers – Models of Motherhood! Proverbs 31 presents a pleasing picture of womanhood; lessons King Lemuel’s mother taught him concerning finding a worthy wife (v.10). This portrait embodies the qualities every believing woman should strive for in personal life, appearance, family life, and daily duties. In days when women of all ages are attracted to dubious and ignoble role models, it’s refreshing to find a timeless Model of virtue, responsibility and goodness. 

“Who can find a “virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies” (v.10). The term “virtuous” infers strength of character, efficiency, ability. Her husband’s heart safely trusts her, because “she does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (vv.11-12). The Old Testament uses this expression in two other places: For Ruth (Ruth 3:11); and in Proverbs 12:4a – “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” A virtuous wife does not make her husband ashamed! When a woman has strength of character – fears God, loves truth, hates sin – others will recognize this. Such strength of character however includes the fact that the virtuous woman “willingly works with HER HANDS” (v.13b).

The virtuous woman is not above dirtying her hands and being diligent at manual tasks. She has no illusions or pretensions about her marital and maternal roles. She knows that productivity and wealth begin with her hands, not with her mouth. Though capable of using her brain to leverage her labour and resources, she is willing to add her sweat equity to the family estate. She is not laid back, waiting for everything to be done for her. She hunts for raw materials to make valuable things for her family. She is a willing worker – cheerful, content, and resourceful – with initiative to work hard on her own. She sees needs and rolls up her sleeves to get things done., making diligent use of time and life!

In contrast, a pampered wife is one whose daily routine involves rising late, pacing through a few chores, talking endlessly on the phone, surfing the Internet, engaging in frivolities, and then asking her husband to bring supper home. This notion of a spoilt spouse is not found in God’s Word or in any prudent society. Being a “home keeper” has nothing to do with taking it easy and making the husband the only “bread-winner” or primary provider. Great women work as hard or harder than their husbands – willingly, cheerfully, and eagerly.

In searching for a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s servant found beautiful Rebekah busy, fetching water at a well (Gen.24:15-16). He qualified her by waiting to see if she would graciously volunteer to draw water for his ten camels, each of which could drink 20 gallons in 10 minutes! She ran to get the water fast enough for the thirsty camels (Gen.24:18-20). It was a similar scenario when Jacob found shepherdess Rachel (Gen.29: 9). Marriage is not for a woman to find a gravy train so she can read, shop, and nap all day, while manipulating her husband for money. Marriage is for a man to find a lover who, with him, will mutually and diligently build one another, the family, children, and the estate.

The virtuous woman of biblical times made clothes out of raw materials, such as wool and flax, which she may have even produced herself. She did so gladly, with eager hands. While it is true that there are many jobs nowadays that don’t require women to work with their hands, they still need to know how to do so, for posterity’s sake! How many modern women can knit, sew, or crochet? We have become such a wasteful society and just throw things away and buy new rather than fix them. But the virtuous woman I committed to taking care of her family and takes pride in it. She is a good steward of God-given resources; wise with stuff rather than spending to the detriment of the family.