The Proverbs 31 Passage
One of the passages that has intrigued me in the Bible as a woman has been Proverbs 31.
This passage has probably elicited the most reaction from women the world over, compared to any other in the entire Bible.
Expositions have been prepared, songs have been sang, poems have been composed… all on this small portion of scripture.
The reactions, either positive or negative, have come in generous measure. That was partly why I got interested in the chapter. I have written a whole book on the same!
You can find it on Amazon right here.
Feminism
In an age where feminism is forefront as women seek to redefine their place in society; as women have sought to challenge the status quo with regard to age-old belief systems that spell out the place of women in society, the Proverbs 31 chapter has come into sharp focus in recent decades.
Various interpretations have resulted from studies of this chapter. A good number of women have come away from this chapter confused, unsure how to navigate in a world that can be hostile to women.
Others have found the chapter repulsive, unable to embrace the lessons, principles, and blessings accrued from the study of this chapter. They have even thought the chapter oppressive, and downright chauvinistic.
Desirous to experience all that God has instore for them through its words, a good number of women have embraced this chapter.
Formations of a Noble Woman
Seeing that this website is all about formations of a noble woman, acknowledging that that formation must have its basis in God’s Word, Proverbs 31 is one of the passages that summarizes the end product as it were, in the formation of a noble woman.
A devotional series therefore, that captures the blessings, insights and practical application gleaned from the Proverbs 31 passage was a must on this site.
This is why I’m introducing this series dubbed Tracking the Proverbs 31 woman.
This is a series capturing the Proverbs 31 passage from every possible angle, trusting God that as he opens our minds and hearts to his Word, we will align as women to his will and purpose for us.
You will find 40 blog posts on this site, dedicated exclusively to this passage with various aspects of the Proverbs 31 woman captured in the passage.
This blog post is the introduction, the first in this series.
Who is This Proverbs 31 Woman?
So, who is this Proverbs 31 woman? A look at the entire chapter gives a clue to who she is.
The posts following will seek to answer this question in greater detail, as we trust that God, by his Spirit, will lead us into his truth concerning this woman.
For one, you and I know she is not a real woman. She represents a prototype; a model upon which women from all sorts of backgrounds, cultures, and orientations can look to and trust God to become as they seek to live out their lives for God.
This was very comforting and reassuring for me. I realized God isn’t expecting me to come before him as a woman, endowed with all the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman.
He wants me to look to him to make me, just as Jesus told his disciples: Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt 4:19)
The Bible adds that he works in us both to will and to do according to his good purpose. (Phil 2:13)
Why are we tracking the Proverbs 31 woman?
I have answered this question; in part. Let me however add that like I mentioned earlier, we have had all sorts of interpretations; all sorts of viewpoints; all sorts of misunderstandings when it comes to understanding the Proverbs 31 chapter.
Let me hasten to add that there might just be that one woman who is actually wondering what all this is about; she has never heard of or read Proverbs 31! What’s the fuss? She wonders.
Having been a recipient of the blessing of studying this chapter and seeking to align my life to its truths, I thought to note down the results of my reflections and lessons.
This series is my attempt to seek the will and mind of God concerning this chapter and to humbly share my findings with you, fully aware I am weak and imperfect as well. I am still on the journey of becoming a woman of noble character, as I walk with God.
What is to Track?
Tracking is simply the process of following someone, without their knowing it, to find out some information about them for a particular purpose.
Thankfully, as we’ve just observed, this woman doesn’t exist, as it were. In tracking her, we are simply seeking useful insight and understanding into her life; insight that would be helpful and definitive in our own pursuit of a godly character God’s way.
I need to also add that I am also referring to this wife of noble character as a woman of noble character because before she becomes a wife, she is a woman. She doesn’t become a wife of noble character overnight.
A Process
Her “becoming” is a process; a work in progress; a work that doesn’t necessarily happen because she is married. It is a work that began long before and continues well into her married years. How do I know this?
Because the king, whom we are introduced to as Lemuel, is seeking this kind of woman for a wife. He should see telltale signs of this godly character before she even becomes his wife. That’s why his mother advises him, probably, on the verge of his choosing a wife for himself.
I am taking the devotional style of writing because I am hopeful you and I will journey along, with our eyes and hearts open to hear from the One who ultimately breathed forth these words that got written in the holy book, the Bible, for our edification. (Tim 3:16-17)
We will listen like “…one being taught” (Isaiah 50:4) by the Spirit of God.
One more thing:
I hope to go verse by verse, or sometimes a group of related verses, if only that we might not miss out on all the blessing there is to find in devotionally looking at Proverbs 31.
We might even linger on a verse, two or three days sometimes. The point is, we do not want to miss out on all that God has in store for us, as we delve into this chapter!
Find the next blog post in the Tracking the Proverbs 31 woman series right here!