PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies);
ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com
THE BIBLE AND THE
VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Presented by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Devotional Text: Prov, 31:10-31
i
The expression of the Scripture,...”a
virtuous woman”{Prov. 31:10-31KJV} or “a wife of noble character {NIV} who can
find?” deeply indicates that womanhood lacks fellows who qualify as ideal
wives, who are worth far more than rubies, whose husbands have full
confidence in, and lacks nothing of
value{vs. 10-11}. Cultures and institutions in today’s world have yardsticks
which set forth models for the ideal woman, but none of these can, in any way,
suit GOD’S STANDARD for womanhood or be taken as complementary code to what the
LORD GOD has put in for humanity, as the Bible remains the only document that
gives credence to ideal or virtuous woman.
GENERAL
REMARKS
(i)
A virtuous woman has the full confidence of
her husband and lacks nothing of value,
{ Prov. 31:11}
(ii)
A virtuous woman brings good, not harm, to
her family, all the days of her life, {vs. 12}
(iii)
A virtuous woman is known for her timely
provision of food and other necessities for her family, {vs. 14- 15}
(iv)
A virtuous woman sets about her work
vigorously and remains strong in her tasks, {vs. 17}, etc.
THE VIRTUOUS
WOMAN AND THE WITNESS OF THE PEOPLE
Virtuous women are not easy to come by, but
easy to spot out. This is because their noble character distinguishes them from
the ever increasing number of women who lack the virtue they possess. The
testimony of the people as it concerns Ruth fits the aforestated, which the
Holy Scripture, in the words of Boaz ascribes to her, when he says,...”all my
fellow kinsmen know that you are a woman of noble character”, { Ruth 3:11b}
This shows that people know the qualities of a virtuous woman, and by
implication know those who are not, and so, women who think otherwise, are by this,
enjoined to turn a new leaf, for a better future. To this end, therefore, this
lesson states that:
(i)
People know that a virtuous woman is not that
type who run after men for immorality, {Ruth 3:10}
(ii)
Everybody is aware of the qualities of a
virtuous woman {vs.11}
(iii)
A virtuous woman shines as light among other
women,, {vs. 11}
THE VIRTUOUS
WOMAN AND THE CONFIDENCE OF HER HUSBAND
A virtuous woman wins the confidence of her
husband by her trustworthy character, since she allows no deceit in her life
and marital relationship. Confidence is built by trust, and trust is built by
honesty. Therefore, a woman who is not honest to her husband is not a virtuous
woman, and so, cannot win the confidence of her husband. This suggests the
reason why the Bible talks of the virtuous woman as....worth far more than rubies
{Prov. 31:10b}, and...“lacks nothing of value,” {vs. 11}. This does not
designate her as flawless, but shows she is a woman of a high level of moral
profile and human quality. Based on the above, this lesson opines that a
virtuous woman wins the confidence of the husband:
(i)
Because of her trustworthiness to her
husband, {vs. 11}
(ii)
Equally because her husband has tested and
proven her a trustworthy person,{vs. 11}
(iii)
Not because of her outward adornment, but
because of her uncompromising chastity and unfailing beauty
(iv)
of a
gentle and quiet spirit, {vs. 11; 1Peter 3:1-4}
THE VIRTUOUS
WOMAN AND HER DOMESTIC ROLE
The virtuous woman...”is like the merchant
ships bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark, she
provides food for her family and portions for servant girls. She considers a
field and buys it out of her earning, she plants a vineyard. She sets about her
work vigorously.: her arms are strong for her tasks, {Prov. 31: 14-17} Now, notice
that a virtuous woman...”brings her food from afar” {vs. 14}, stressing
her ability to do everything humanly possible to fend for her
family legitimately. She gets up early to provides for the members of
her household {vs.15}, which shows she is punctual to duty and does not delegate her GOD-given domestic
assignments to someone else, as well as serves all without discrimination,{vs.
15}. She considers a field and buys it out of her earnings”...{vs. 16},
an
indication of her ability to support her husband in his own role. She
sets about her work vigorously; he arms are strong for her tasks, {vs17}, which
implies her relentlessness on duty. The brief biblical analysis above
on the activities of the virtuous woman serves as a divine yardstick for
today’s woman. In this connection, therefore, this lesson also stresses that,
for a woman to be termed a virtuous woman, she must be:
(i)
Well grounded in domestic duties and good
work,[Prov. 31:12-17}
(ii) One who
supports her husband in fending for her family, {vs. 12-17}
(iii) A woman of
tireless and productive hard work for the family, {vs. 12-17}
In
conclusion, please
observe that, a virtuous woman, who the Bible also cites as a wise woman,
builds her own house but the foolish one destroys hers, {Prov. 14:1}. The foolish
woman in this contest is a representation of every woman who is not virtuous,
and implies that such women really never build their homes, but destroy them.
Are you one of such women? THE TIME TO
CHANGE IS NOW!
