Virtuous woman

           When someone tells you that you are created in God's image, what does it represent for you? Do we immediately think about God's character and try to imagine what God looks like?

            We as women have a very important role in society and the family. If set properly, everything will be fine. We have strong characters and if it is not formed as it should be, characters of the people around us will also be out of balance. In essence, we need to be simple, modest and humble, and those three things include such characteristics, it is a virtuous woman is essentially difficult to describe briefly. The topic is very broad and complex, in a shortest explanation, any feature that is mentioned in the Bible, it is desirable for us to have it. It is difficult to reach, but we as women have our own place in society, and God for us has a special plan.

            There are lots of verses which are talking about how woman should act and look. Mostly, they refer to her family and married life. One part in particular is on my mind whenever I think about who should I be and it is written in Proverbs 31.

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ¹³ She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. ²² She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. ²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹ “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

            The word virtuous or noble is used for someone who has a great dignity. There are many women, but rarely are they noble. Women who belong to God are excellent. So, we are worth more than the pearl, rubies. Pearls are rare, hard to find and long form. Interestingly, the pearl is created from sand at the bottom of the sea, in the belly of the shell. The sand is coated with substance called nacre and that makes it more valuable and special. Nothing like that cannot be found anywhere else. Imagine how valuable we are to God when we are more valuable than pearls to him. The question in 10th verse is - Who's going to find a virtuous woman, who is worthy to possess her, to be her husband and that he goes through life. Her husband should be able to rely on her to have confidence in her. This means that she is: honest, faithful, trusted, wise, to love God and follow His will. She takes care of him, does him well. But this is also a question of who's going to find her. It is not completely about virtuous woman but also of a man of God. If a woman is noble, you have to have a man of God who will deserve to have her.

            Search for wool and flax refers to the fact that she worries about what her family would wear. Before, the women sewed clothes at home, today it would be referred to the shopping, washing and ironing clothes. She creates with her hands, she works. She is a woman who has a brilliant mind, valuable and energetic spirit. She is a woman who has many gifts and talents. Virtuous women are concerned about what her family will eat; they buy food, store it, and cook it. They take care that the food is fresh and healthy, to fortify her family. Laziness has no place in her life, she rises above all, preparing their food waiting for them so when her family members wake up, they could eat, she gives small chores among her children to teach them responsibility and discipline.

            She is strong in spirit, verse 17 we associate with Ephesians 6: ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
            A virtuous woman at night takes care of her family, thinking about tomorrow, what she will give them, what she needs to do and above all, she stays awake and pray for them. She performs chores willingly, she is not selfish, she is helping people in need, clothe the poor, washing homeless, and feed the hungry. She is ready for winter.
            She is not decorating her body with jewelry, expensive dresses, makeup, and hair. She is adorned with virtue and beauty, a smile, a gentle and wise words, she is lovely, obedient to her husband, she is in awe for God, living in purity, with calm spirit, compassionate, merciful, humble, not returning evil for evil, blesses (1 Peter 3:1-10 ), pray in every place, adorned with good works ( 1 Timothy 2:9-15 ), all of which makes it seem as if the Lord does ( Colossians 3:23 ), she is patient, forgiving, dressed in love, thankful (Colossians 3:12-17 ).

            Virtuous women properly educate her children; they follow God, to be diligent and obedient. Her family loves her; thank her for all she does for them. Besides being hardworking and a good hostess, she makes linen garments and sells them - as the text says. It could be any hobby that she does, but the husband brings the main income and financial provides family. She cares of how much and what she eats does not eat too much nor too little. First take care of her environment and then takes care of herself.
            Many women are educated and wise, many are skilled in doing many things, but rarely are virtuous and that kind of woman raises above all these women. Beauty perishes but her character is stronger and better, her life is an example to others, she is an inspiration, support and help to the people around her. Her life with God is exemplary and commendable. She does not even need to say a word; it's her way of life that speaks for her. Because of whom she is and what she is doing, she gained a great reputation in her environment, many honor her, and seek advice from her because they know that she received wisdom from the Lord because of her obedience to him.

Are we women after God's character?

            Seek ye first the kingdom of God: reject the lie that someone or something can not satisfy you, only God can. Stay humble: Be constantly aware of pride and selfishness. Do not think little of yourself but think less about you. Serve God. Point your mind on eternity; serve your king, live to celebrate. Be a woman of quiet spirit, known for her good heart, a good reputation for her service. Be a woman who follows the will of her Heavenly Father. Be a woman who cares about love, to serve, to honor and praise God, then you will know who is more valuable than others. The fact that you are a woman does not make you a different kind of Christian, but the fact that you are a Christian makes you a different kind of woman.

            "When your love is seasoned by grace, you serve others both the good and the evil. Virtuous woman is not controlled by passion, she longs with passion for incomparable God. Her love is overflowing out of her house and in the surrounding area. She tries to be patient and gentle towards her husband, skillfully knowing his heart. Isn’t so much a lesson on getting up early, sewing clothes, buying a field, or achieving perfection. The heart of the matter is that she was dedicated to walking in virtue. She cared deeply for her husband and children. She put the needs of her family before her desires. She was a woman of noble character who walked by faith. My guess is, she wasn’t perfect–none of us are. But she was ready and willing to be perfected by God. "- Darlene Schacht

             If you are married, you might want to look these verses as well, and I think that they don’t need much further explanation. If you still have some questions, fell free to ask.

1 Timothy 2:9,15

1 Corinthians 14:34,40

 Thessalonians 5:22.33

 Colossians 3:12-21

1 Peter 3: 1.7