The Wife of Noble Character: Understanding Your Value
I believe we are in a time now, more than ever before, where the traditional values of motherhood, and dare I say womanhood, are being consistently challenged. Society will tell you that women are strong enough to start and run companies, pursue multileveled degrees, be typhoons in the work industry, yet somehow being a woman focused on homemaking and motherhood will destroy you. We are strong enough to be active members in society, but we are too weak to run our homes, care for our children, and be loving wives; that these pursuits are unfulfilling and diminish our true nature. Now, please understand, I don’t think that pursuing things outside of the home is ungodly or bad (I would actually say scripture argues otherwise), but I do think our first priority as women should be our home and our family. It is crucial for women to understand God’s design for us, to lean into the purpose that is woven into our DNA; not to confine us, but to truly empower and embolden us.
The final section of the book of Proverbs is titled The Wife of Noble Character. Authorship of this passage is often disputed, but the most commonly accepted view is that the author is unknown. These 22 verses are written as an acrostic poem; each verse begins with the consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic poem spells out the virtues of a wife of noble character, providing women with a framework for godly living and being an honorable wife and mother.
And let me tell you how I avoided this passage of the Bible like a plague. You see, it deeply bothered me that there was no Proverb titled “The Husband of Noble Character”. I wanted fairness. Also, I had fallen deeply into the lie that being a wife and mother was not a fulfilling purpose, and therefore thought these verses had little relevance to my life. Until God brought me back to it, over and over again. I began to see the problem in the developing view of society, in my own view, and how these views directly challenged God’s call for women in scripture. I spent weeks, months, pouring over these verses and praying them into existence in my life. I would love to do the same with you over the next several weeks, because I believe in the value of understanding God’s purpose and intent behind who He created women to be.
"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth more then rubies."
Proverbs 31:10
The first verse of this section begins with a question, “A wife of noble character who can find?” The original Hebrew word used for “noble character” is translated in various ways in the Old Testament. Words such as: excellent, virtuous, capable, strong, and worthy. A woman of these qualities who can find? The question doesn’t indicate that a woman such as this is nonexistent. Rather, a woman of noble character is rare and invaluable. Her worth is more than even the most precious gems. This comparison of worth to rubies shows that such a woman is to be admired, for she is unique and treasured.
Excellent, capable, virtuous, strong, worthy, moral integrity. These are the qualities a woman of God should strive for; what she is designed for. The remainder of the poem will give us examples of how a woman achieves these defining attributes. But, for now, I want you to sit with these characteristics. A woman possessing these aspects is not easy to find. These qualities are cultivated over time through commitment and dependence on God. Her faith and experience will guide her into assurance of her god-given purpose.
This verse also invites us to recognize and appreciate the depth of character in the virtuous woman. She is refined by resilience and forged in flames. The wife of noble character doesn’t simply manifest in a short time; her character is fostered over time, growing and developing. Rubies are formed through an intense process, under immense pressure and a significant amount of time. This process rearranges the minerals into a new structure, creating the gemstone. It is through this process and by the rarity in which it happens that rubies get their value.
It is the same for the wife of noble Character. She must be redefined in Christ. She must undergo the transformation process, giving herself over to the purification process and the time of growth. Her worth is not defined by societal standards but by the standard of who God calls her to be: a woman of integrity and moral standing, a woman committed to her husband, her children, and to God. In a world with blinders on, telling us to value only what is superficial, the wife of noble character challenges us to look deeper; to value virtue and inner beauty.
A wife of noble character is first mentioned in Proverbs 12:4. The verse states, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones” (NIV). A wife of strong character dignifies her husband. She elevates him with her strength, in return strengthening him, making him proud, and honoring him. On the other hand, a shameful wife actually brings harm to her husband. She brings decay and despair to him, deteriorating his life.
Many times in the book of Proverbs, a correlation is made to one’s physical body and spiritual health (Proverbs 3:8). This relationship shows the interconnection of our spiritual well-being with our body’s physical prosperity. A disgruntaled wife will tear her husband down spiritually and consequently physically (or vice versa). While a noble wife will invigorate her husband. She will give him life. She will strengthen him. She will add good things to him. Caring for his physical needs and also aiding in his spiritual ones.
This is the woman who is rare to find. A valuable woman. A woman who is capable, excellent, worthy, and virtuous. One who is refined and assured of her purpose. As we work through this Proverb together, I want this to be our focus. Becoming women who aren’t scared of refinement but who welcome it, who seek to strengthen others, who are God-fearing, and who are noble.
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