Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous woman as someone who is confident, strong and unchallenged with questions about her identity. She is that gal we would say “has it all together.” But does a modern version of this woman exist? This investigative article searches for clues!
Investigating the Corporate World
Our search begins with the top job boards. After reviewing Monster.com, CareerBuilder, Indeed and Google, no listings for a virtuous woman can be found. Few of the women managers, directors and Fortune 500 CEOs profiled on LinkedIn use such a title. Few, if any, women in politics claim this title. The corporate world is a dead end.
Investigating Higher Education
Next, we examine our school systems. Few high schoolers are aware of what a virtuous woman is. Some colleges and universities offer classes in virtue, but few teach on what it means to be a virtuous woman. Even for schools which teach this, there are not many students who model these traits. Higher education offers some direction, but is ultimately another dead end.
Investigating Proverbs 31
As our investigation concludes, we return to the virtuous woman’s job description in Proverbs 31:
- She is thrifty, buying things for her family at a value.
- Her clothes are not from Macy’s or Neiman Marcus, yet she is dressed with the strength of encouragement and determination that has helped her family do well.
- Her husband trusts her, for with her he has lacked nothing.
- She looks well to the ways of her household.
- Though at times it is very difficult, she keeps herself busy and has no time for idleness.
- Her family looks at the work of her hands and exclaims, “Excellent!”
Virtue Is an Inside Job
Do these traits sound familiar to you? You might know the woman who models them as your mother or your wife. Her job description could easily compete with other six-figure-salary careers with fancier titles. But a woman is not virtuous on account of her professional title. True virtue is a byproduct of who she is.
As a mother today, you may find yourself challenged just to find a sale on your baby’s diapers or your next family meal. You may not see or feel prestige in the responsibilities of your job. However, like this virtuous woman, you are successful when you become a woman who fears the Lord. (This is not a scared fear, but one of reverence for God which overflows into your relationship with your family.) This is what makes you more precious than jewels. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but as a woman who fears the LORD, you are to be praised!
Article by Dr. L.W. Edwards
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