According to the Bible, the job description of a woman is presented in Chapter 31 of the Book of Proverbs. Let’s go through this chapter and see what we can learn about the role of women according to God.
"1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?"
(Most of Proverbs is written by Solomon. However, notice that this chapter in Proverbs is not written by Solomon. Would Solomon have been able to tell us about the right way to interact with women? This chapter is actually written by a woman…the mother of Lemuel. The first verse identifies the source and the second verse begins the narrative from her mouth. Finally, in keeping with the doctrines dealt with in this work, notice Lemuel is the son of her vows…of her Marriage Covenant.)
"3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings."
(She is stating that Lemuel shouldn’t invest his time in women (plural) and the reason WHT is given with the rest of the verse…and the other ways that destroy kings. Again, not only couldn’t have Solomon written this, but this chapter is condemning Solomon.)
"4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."
(She is stating that the job of a king is to remember the law, enforce judgment, and plead the cause of the poor and the needy. Getting involved with women and strong drink will distract the king from his duty. She then states the value of strong drink is to help ease the pain of those with a heavy heart.)
"10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
(She has now stated that a virtuous woman is extremely valuable. Notice, the introduction of what follows focuses on a virtuous woman…not a virtuous wife. A wife is only one aspect of what is being discussed here. What is being discussed is the value of a virtuous woman. This is the job description of a woman…the role of wife is one possible part of this job description.)
"11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
(These two verses deal specifically with being a wife. Notice, the first verse is from the perspective of the husband…if the woman has no husband then the verse doesn’t apply. The first verse makes the wife the source...THE PROVIDER! The second verse talks about Profitability. She will create (good) and not destroy (evil). Again, Profitability is God’s metric for community (Marriage). However, the wife is the provider according to God. In our culture, the husband is the provider. Who is MORE "excellent" according to God?)
"13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."
(These verses make her out to be a businessperson. She works, handles the house including the help, she invests and plants. There is no involvement by the husband in any of these verses. She doesn’t check with her husband to do any of this. He completely trusts her because she is excellent. Again, the woman is THE PROVIDER.)
"17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms."
(There is even a physical aspect to her that applies to men as well.)
"18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."
(These verses go back to her ability to create but now it is so that she can give to the poor and needy. This woman is abundant, not only does she have enough for her family; she has enough for the poor and the needy. Again, the woman is THE PROVIDER.)
"21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land."
(This set of verses show that she is Profitable enough to not only PROVIDE for the family but bring honor to the family. Her husband being known in the gates means that he can do his role with excellence because he doesn’t have to get involved in her role! The husband is SITTING with the elders. The wife is PROVIDING. Who is more "excellent"?)
"24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."
(Now we are seeing “super abundance”. Not only does she take care of her family well and help those in need, but she is able to make money from her work. She is a successful businessperson.)
"25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
(The intangible qualities are covered. In fact, we have covered the FOUR CAUSES that God uses to bring judgment: pride, fullness of bread, idleness of time, not strengthening the arm of the poor. A worthy woman does the OPPOSITE of the FOUR CAUSES of God's Judgment. Now that the effects have been covered, the causes can be stated in the summary.)
"30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Verse 30 essentially says that appearance (grace and beauty) are Not Profitable (vain). We have repeatedly covered the difference between beauty and attraction. This verse warns men NOT to focus on beauty. The cause is a woman who fears the Lord and the proof is Profitability (fruit and works), not appearance.
Take a big step back and summarize this job description…
What doesn’t it cover? It doesn’t cover working by the sweat of one’s brow, fighting, going to war, risking her life, handling confrontation and crisis…
The job description of a woman involves planning. It involves the Long Term aspects of life. For instance, the “business” aspects of Proverbs 31 are done at her discretion, not according to a rigid daily schedule of “office hours”. Proverbs 31 involves the most Profitable aspects of life. Women are actually the providers!
Men were made to handle crisis, conflict, physical exertion…short-term aspects. Men were made to put out fires at a moment’s notice.
Women were made for OUGHT. Men were made for IS.
PROOF #9. Proverbs 31 proves women are more "excellent" because they are about OUGHT.
Proverbs 31 is saying that a woman can have it all: wife, mother, career, etc.!
Wait, there is one area that isn’t covered: hobbies. This description says nothing about a woman having hobbies. Actually, the Bible doesn’t say anything about men having hobbies.
Again, the perspective on women is the ultimate effect of a society’s values. For instance, today we have contradictions about the role of women because our tradition wants to make them servants to the men’s career and account for hobbies and distractions.
All of these contradictions are removed if we look to the Bible.
Proverbs 31 shows women aren’t inferior or equal to men…they are "superior". They are the most "excellent" sex. They were made to handle all the things that result in Long Term Profitability. Women were made by God to create Profitable effects. Men were made by God to focus solely on the causes regardless of the effects.
Men were made to be Leaders…which according to the Bible means they facilitate the Purpose and Progress of others. Ephesians 5 even stated that a husband OUGHT to give his life for his wife, like Christ did for His Bride (The Church).
Putting men in charge of this world only reinforces IS…men don’t naturally understand how to achieve OUGHT. Women do because women are more "excellent" than men. However, holding down the most "excellent" and Profitable half of the inhabitants of this world by valuing the physical hurts everyone.
This Biblical description of a woman far exceeds what our society expects from women. It far exceeds what society expects from a man. Would the Bible have an expectation that couldn’t be fulfilled?
Next Section at Book Level: Nine Proofs
Chapter Summary
Part III Table of Contents
Part I Table of Contents
