Rosie’s birthday celebration was unforgettable. The food was tasty, the table banter was fun, and the presence of her first grandson was icing on the cake! These good things, however, paled in view of her two sons’ tributes to her. Though Rosie’s marriage didn’t last, her exceptional skills as a single mom marked her sons. Their accolades reflected how she did everything possible to provide for their needs. The younger son’s comment best captured Rosie’s posture before them: “She is a God-fearing woman.”
In Proverbs 31:10-31 readers get to see what fear-informed wisdom looks like in the home. The fear of the Lord (v. 30), which is a humble reverence for God, compels one to be trustworthy (vv. 11-12) and hardworking and thrifty (vv. 13-19). And, while the wise woman possesses a “home first” attitude (vv. 21-28), that doesn’t mean “home only.” Meeting the needs of outsiders also gets attention (v. 20).
As with Rosie, the lifestyles of God-fearing women don’t go unnoticed—especially among those who live with them (v. 28). It’s not surprising when those closest to them sing their praises. Want to be a God-fearing follower of Jesus? Why not ask God for His help? And don’t be surprised when those prayers are answered—even in challenging circumstances.
How do others inspire you to live in humble awe of God, even in less-than-ideal circumstances? How can you reverently seek Him and His wisdom?
Wise Father, please give me courage to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the way I love, honor, and respect You.
The book of Proverbs introduces us to two central figures—Woman Wisdom and Woman Folly. Woman Wisdom is the embodiment of God’s wisdom. She entreats the public to follow her way, which is also the path of flourishing (1:20-33). Woman Folly, on the other hand, seduces those who hear her voice, causing them to choose the path of foolish disregard of divine wisdom (9:13-18). At the close of Proverbs, we’re also introduced to the “wife of noble character” (31:10; see also 12:4), whom we can understand as a person whose life genuinely reflects the wisdom of Woman Wisdom. This same phrase—“woman of noble character” (“wife” can also be translated “woman”)—is also used to describe Ruth (Ruth 3:11). Her faithful care of her mother-in-law, Naomi, is a concrete example of what being a woman of noble character looks like in practice—having a character of such faithfulness that others notice it.
