Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
This passage of scripture describes for us the results of having a virtuous woman as one's wife, which includes trust and utmost confidence in her, so that the husband does not need to worry about any of the common issues that usually affect women who are not virtuous, in addition to which she does her spouse good and not evil for her entire life. Even though it sounds like a tall order, yet through the grace and power of God it is possible for this to be accomplished in any woman who surrenders her soul to Christ. The passage also goes on to enumerate the many activities of the one who finds her strength in God, and who is guided by Him with wisdom and discretion in all the ways of His choosing. Let's read:
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Among the many activities that are mentioned above is the fact that the virtuous woman is obviously a hard worker, being gainfully employed where possible, and going shopping for good deals, hence the reason why Solomon says that she brings her food from afar. In other words, she is not content to merely shop at the local store, if she can procure her goods at a much more reasonable price, by going further in search of what she needs. This also means that she is not lazy, being willing to make the extra effort to feed her family well, and supply their needs.
Verse sixteen also tells us that she is not afraid to make sound investments in real estate whenever she sees there's an opportunity to make a profit, or to help feed her family by planting it, for she is not afraid to get her hands dirty, if by so doing she can better the lot of her family. Verse seventeen mentions exercise as a part of her rigorous regimen, for the health of her body is important to her and the members of her household. But what stands out the most is the fact that in verse fifteen, the Bible says that the virtuous woman rises while it is yet dark, in the early hours of the morning to prepare food for her family and for her maidens.
This is an interesting activity, in that conventional wisdom would dictate that since she has maidens, they would be required to prepare breakfast, while she sleeps a bit late in bed, watching her favorite television show. But this does not occur with the virtuous woman, for she takes her responsibilities seriously, and is not content for others to do the work while she sits idly by in a supervisory role. This tells us that she is of a humble spirit, a trait of character that is most precious in the sight of God. Let's read:
Isaiah 57:5 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
In our day, the role of the virtuous woman has not changed, and she is still to be greatly appreciated, because the virtuous activities here enumerated often go a long way in bringing trust, appreciation, loyalty, cohesiveness, and gratitude to her family, and especially to her husband, who will now be more prone to value her character far above any other external consideration, which in turn will cause the marriage to become almost bullet-proof. That's why we end with a passage of scripture which shows the value of virtue over external beauty, for the golden cords of love which bind heart to heart are much stronger than beauty which is exterior in nature only. Let's read:
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!