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What does it mean to be a wife of noble character?

Lots of preconceived ideas about what sort of wife a lady “should” be. Perhaps they’re in some way shaped by popular culture – she must be attractive, kind, fashionable and fun, while being a improbable mom and whiz within the boardroom.

One passage from the book of Proverbs within the Bible entitled “Epilogue: A Wife of Noble Character” describes a wife so exemplary that her works are celebrated and warmly applauded by your entire community.

“Who will discover a wife of noble character? She is value far more than rubies Proverbs 31:10.

The chapter continues as an acrostic, using all of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, describing such an illustrious woman, “her deeds bring her glory on the gates of town” (v. 31). He wakes up early, giving his family strong arms and a stronger mind.

Faithful and honest, she cares for the poor, has phenomenal business acumen, is proficient with thread and needle, and enjoys an exquisite relationship together with her husband and kids. Best of all, we’re told that he “fears the Lord” (v. 30).

Is this what we expect from the wife we ​​needs to be? What it means to be the wife of a “noble character”, as described in v Proverbs 31:10?

Let’s take a have a look at what this implies and whether this idealized version of femininity is even possible.

What does the unique Hebrew say?

First, it is vital to grasp that the words “wife” and “nobleman” will not be necessarily as we’d interpret them today. The word translated as “wife” is in reality isa or isameaning a lady, often a wife or woman of some importance.

The word translated “noble” is hior chayil, meaning brave, courageous, courageous or capable. It is value noting that this is similar word utilized in Judges 6:12 to explain Gideon, the judge over Israel, but there it’s translated “mighty”.

Therefore, this wife of noble character just isn’t some royal, royal figurehead sitting removed from the throne and carelessly ordering servants back and forth. Rather, she is a robust and courageous woman, a female version of the “mighty warrior” Gideon.

Why is that this “wife of noble character” so wonderful?

Make no mistake: the lady described here is not any extraordinary woman. She is a sort of superwoman. She has a variety of work to do and does all of it skillfully and without complaining, her efforts not only helping the family but spreading to the community helping those in need as well.

He has dignity but a humorousness and is usually an individual you’ll be able to count on to all the time do the correct thing.

Indeed, it’s a rare find, valued greater than precious stones. In some ways, this gem of a lady resembles the wisdom extolled within the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom is depicted throughout Proverbs as a lady. For example, in Proverbs 1:20wisdom is personified by a lady who “raises her voice in the general public square” while at home Proverbs 9:1, “she built her house; arrange seven pillars for it.” As a loving and excellent spouse, we’re to welcome and value wisdom.

The book of Proverbs, also often known as the book of wisdom, presents itself as written “for wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:2).

As noted originally of the book, “The fear of the Lord is the start of information, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

This “wife of noble character” is precisely such a lady, filled with wisdom “who fears the Lord” (cf.Proverbs 31:30).

Proverbs 3:15 he describes wisdom like this wife of noble character, noting that wisdom “is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to it.”

And because the book of wisdom goes on to say, v Proverbs 8:35“For those that find me find life and receive grace from the Lord.”

The same is alleged of him who has been blessed with a wife of noble character and of those that themselves have this noble character.

Is this the expectation of the wife we ​​needs to be?

Yes, that is the sort of wife women “should” be – however it’s vital to grasp that that is an idealized version of femininity, not a job description.

“A wife of noble character” is the overarching goal that girls should strive for, knowing that perfection just isn’t truly possible for anyone however the Lord.

But it is not nearly femininity. This is the goal for all people. We must all attempt to be like Lady Wisdom and embody the qualities of a wife of noble character.

It may be helpful to grasp how Christians are to follow Jesus. All Christians are sinful by nature, but we try to be like our role model, Jesus, although most of us are removed from it. We spend our lives trying, often in vain, to beat our human weaknesses and change into saints.

Similarly, women may strive to be like Jesus or Proverbs 31typical woman, knowing that alone we cannot reach this pinnacle of perfection.

As the Bible later explains, we’ll never be “adequate” or work hard enough to earn a spot in heaven. God’s forgiveness and our salvation depend upon His mercy, not on our value.

We cannot deserve it, but as an alternative we must simply accept the gift given to us by Jesus – the right, spotless lamb whose willing death on the cross paid our debt and guaranteed everlasting life to those that imagine in Him.

Even so, we must proceed to strive to model Christ well in order that others may know Him and the works of God may abound on earth.

As Jesus says in John 15:5, “I’m the vine; you’re branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you’ll bear much fruit; without Me you’ll be able to do nothing.”

The wife of a noble character within the bible

While we all know that there isn’t a perfect person aside from Jesus Himself, there are individuals who may be called a wife of noble character.

In the book of Ruth, Boaz called her “a lady of noble character” when he found her at his feet on the threshing floor (Ruth 3:11).

Boaz, a strong, highly respected and good man, knew that Ruth had decided to remain together with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband’s death and to settle in a foreign land removed from her own people.

He knew she was honest and morally just and worked hard within the fields to offer for Naomi. Later, Boaz married Ruth. Her son, Obed, was the daddy of Jesse, who was the daddy of King David – and ultimately certainly one of Jesus’ ancestors (Matthew 1:5).

A girl of noble character is honest, hardworking, trustworthy, and sensible like Ruth. She is loyal and dependable, looking for to serve the Lord and do what is true, reasonably than gaining power, success, or wealth. She can be kind, compassionate and generous to others.

Although not specifically labeled as such, we will find examples of other virtuous women of “noble character” within the Bible: Rachel, the long-suffering and industrious wife of Jacob (Genesis 29thirty).

Hannah, the once barren mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1); Esther, who risked her life and position to defend her people, the Jews, against the king (Esther 4:16).

Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (b.Luke 1); Mary, “worthy” and “preferred”, chosen to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1); and Mary Magdalene, a zealous follower of Jesus (Luke 8).

Is there a connection between a “noble woman” and wisdom?

Like Proverbs, additionally it is called a book of wisdom and begins with wisdom personified as a lady calling on top of the wall for people to repent and return to her (Proverbs 1:21), and ends with an outline of a lady of perfection (Proverbs 31:10-31) that seems to embody all of the wisdom detailed throughout the book, yes. There is a robust connection between “noblewoman” and wisdom.

Since people everywhere in the world are to cherish and receive wisdom, Proverbs tells us that men are to cherish and receive a noblewoman. As says in Proverbs 12:4“Her husband’s crown is a wife of noble character, but a shameless wife is like rottenness in her bones.”

Of course, this does not just apply to men and their wives. Women, men who don’t marry, and indeed all human beings are to strive for such righteousness and perfection of their lives. The teaching of Proverbs is for all of God’s people.

So all of us—men and women alike—attempt to be just like the wife of noble character described in v Proverbs 31. Let us all strive to be selfless, hardworking, compassionate, virtuous, strong and type.

For further reading:

What does it mean to be a lady in Proverbs 31?

Should godly women laugh without worrying in regards to the future?

What does it mean to be a godly woman?

Image credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Ivan-balvan

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