Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:11
I hesitate to go here, but we’re going to go here today, and debunk this idea that the Proverbs 31 Women is unrealistic and unattainable.
Friends that is so far from the truth, we don’t need to feel shame or discouraged that we can never live up this ideal, instead we need to activate the #HolyConfidence inside of us to exemplify the Proverbs 31 Woman.
We are going to get to Proverbs 31:11, but first let’s back up and look at Proverbs 31:10-31 in it’s entirety.
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.
Yes, that is alot to take it, but notice the context the word, “confidence” is used in way back in verse 11.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:11
the word confidence in the NIV version is translated to “trust” from the greek word, batach, which means “security and reliance.”
To fully understand how the husband has full confidence in his wife and what that looks like, we need to back up and remind ourselves God’s ideal for marriage.
Since the garden, Eve was created as a “helper” for Adam, not as second best or assistant to him, but as his partner and companion.
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Genesis 2:22-24
The nature of the relationship is complimentary, checks and balance sort of thing.
There are things that man was created for that woman was not.
And then there is something very, very special and unique that woman was created for and man was not. childbirth.
The biblical model for households is one that is both highly regarded and highly criticized among Christians and non-Christians alike.
My goal is not to get into specifics of the duties and responsibilities of a woman, but instead encourage us that we were made for a purpose.
God’s divine design shines a special light on women, even in the midst of our ordinary, mundane tasks.
doing dishes
changing diapers
making dinner
working outside the home
working inside the home
laundry (why is there always so much laundry?!)
You are no less special to God whether you are on a stage or in the middle of bargaining with a 4-year-old.
Whether you are in the thick of potty training woes or having sleep training hiccups
Whether you are routinely picking up the playroom or picking up dinner
All of these things we do on a daily basis seem ordinary and many times they do go unnoticed by many (including our kids and our husbands.)
But we don’t serve to be seen, we serve to serve.
The secret to the Proverbs 31 wife being able to do it all? Her confidence.
How does she get that confidence?
The fear of the Lord.
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I encourage you to take some time and learn what it means to fear the Lord. How can you fear the Lord so your #Holyconfidence is activated to take on all the things that you are called to take on as a wife and a mom?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
