Today is the 31st of July and Proverbs 31 is our daily Bible reading assignment. This chapter begins with a Queen mother’s appeal to her son, heir to the throne of Israel. “Lemuel” is the name of the prince; however, there are many who believe that name was Queen Bathsheba’s pet name for her son Solomon, son of King David and heir to his father’s throne.
In earlier devotionals we have noted that Proverbs 31:1-9 contain a Queen mother’s wise counsel to her son. Proverbs 31:10 marks a dramatic shift from the Queen mother’s counsel to her son’s love and admiration for his mother. No prose has ever captured the portrait of so great a wife and mother as the words recorded in Proverbs 31:10-31. The “virtuous woman” is priceless to her husband and a crown to her sons and daughters. Our focus for today’s study is Proverbs 31:10-12.
Proverbs 31:10 – “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
She is rare among women…as priceless as the rarest diamond and ruby. She is a portrait of purity, innocence and moral excellence. She is a woman to be cherished and guarded physically, emotionally, morally and spiritually. Oh that fathers and 
mothers would give as much attention to the character of their daughters as they do to their style and beauty.
The virtuous woman is not only a rare, priceless find; she is also responsible, a woman distinguished by her godly character.
Proverbs 31:11 – “The heart of her husband doth safely [confidently] trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil [dishonest gain].”
Before the Christian era, a wife in ancient times was of no more value than household servants, laboring long hours and having no parity with her husband. The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:11 enjoys the trust of her husband and manages the household finances with skill and wisdom.
The virtuous woman is rare, responsible and righteous; a woman of principle and integrity.
Proverbs 31:12 – “She will do him good [comfort; encourage] and not evil [sin; injury] all the days of her life.”
She is a compliment to her husband’s life and testimony. She supports and encourages him, bringing out his best qualities. She conveys honor and dignity to his home and is his “crown” and joy (Proverbs 12:4).
She is a complement to her husband’s character and reputation (Proverbs 31:23) and a lifelong companion. “She will do him good and not evil… [not injure his life or tarnish his testimony with sin] all the days of her life.”
What a woman! The virtuous woman is an inspiration for every woman and the model for every daughter.
Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith