Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:5 "Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted."

Proverbs 31:6 "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts."

Proverbs 31:7 "Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more." 

Intoxicating drinks can weaken reason and judgment.  A person under the influence of alcohol cannot think clearly and could not remember the laws of the land.  Strong drink is to be reserved to kill pain.  Drinking is a symptom of a greater problem.  

Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies."

Proverbs 31:11 "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."

Proverbs 31:12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

Proverbs 31:13 "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."

Proverbs 31:14 "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar."

Proverbs 31:15 "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."

This is just saying that her worth cannot be measured in earthly things, such as rare stones (rubies).  This woman is totally faithful to her husband. He can have confidence in her, because she will not let him down.   She is beside him helping in everything. She loves to please him.  She is not lazy. She works willingly, because she wants to help.   She goes forth wherever the food for her house is and brings it home.   Her first concern is the welfare of her family.

Proverbs 31:16 "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."

Proverbs 31:17 "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."

Proverbs 31:18 "She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night."

Proverbs 31:19 "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."

She doesn't say to the husband that making the money for the family is his job. She helps him in this, too, when she can.  We see, here, that hard work makes her very strong.   She protects what is her own. She appreciates her husband and her family and works to keep them.    She looks for useful work to do. She is not lazy. 

Proverbs 31:20 "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."

Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet."

Proverbs 31:22 "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple."

Proverbs 31:23 "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land."

Proverbs 31:24 "She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."

She is not selfish, but shares with the less fortunate.   She has seen to it that her whole family has warm, comfortable garments, even for snowy weather.  She looks nice for her family. She takes care of herself, as we read earlier, and dresses nice so her husband will be proud to tell people that she is his wife.  She builds her husband up, and he has respect in the town. She never does things to make him ashamed.  

Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."

Proverbs 31:26 "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness."

Proverbs 31:27 "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her."

Proverbs 31:29 "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

Proverbs 31:30 "Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31:31 "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

These words describe the character of the woman who fears the Lord. Her inward clothing displays divine wisdom, giving her confidence to face the future with its unexpected challenges.  Her speech conveys her wisdom and kindness.   Her speech conveys her wisdom and kindness. Her words build up and don't tear down. She is not a gossip or a slanderer. When she speaks, it is to help. Her wisdom instructs her children.  She was a skilled manager of the home.  She is greatly respected because she has earned the praise of her family.   She has done the best of all toward her family and God.   To have a wife who is attractive to look at is nice, but the very best you can do is to have a wife who fears God and keeps His commandments. Her works speak for themselves. She has earned her praise.