Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
Superwoman leads powerfully, and from her home. She leads in a husband-honoring way.
She is not a weakling, a “damsel in distress,” or someone with a poor self-image.
As a homemaker, she excels. She blesses all who are in her nest and they sing her praises.
Read More About Superwoman
- Proverbs 31:12-17 - What does Superwoman really look like?
- Proverbs 31:18-24 - How does Superwoman help society?
- Proverbs 31:25-29 - How does Superwoman lead? (Deals with single women.)
- Proverbs 31:30 - From where does Superwoman get her super powers?
She carries herself well. By operating with strength and dignity means that she probably exercises regularly, watches her weight, and gets proper rest. She is not sickly or overweight. Her fitness goes beyond physical health to include her behaviour and conversation. She attracts respect.
Confident to Lead Others
The expression she smiles at the future implies that she is confident, come what may. It’s amazing. Most people—men and women—dread the future, but not her! She looks forward to it! Her talents extend beyond economics to include teaching with wisdom and kindness. She does not promote nonsensical ideas or philosophies. Nor is she an aggressive woman in a headlong pursuit of her own personal ambitions. Her service to her husband and others has a ripple effect, spilling out into the community and beyond.
Her inner strength comes from knowing God personally and knowing how He has designed her. She has a God-given purpose and vision which she strives to fulfill.
Family Focus
Her family focus begins with honoring her husband for whom she appears as a crown (Proverbs 12:4) making him to be successful and respected by others as a leader in the land (Proverbs 31:23). I find it interesting that the last chapter in the book of Proverbs is all about a woman who works extremely hard for the benefit of her family. It's like the cherry on the cake. If a man applies all the lesson of Proverbs 1-30 and then gets an outstanding wife described in Proverbs 31, then she becomes like a crown on his head. In other words, she seeks to glorify her husband and children rather than herself. I am not implying that a woman is less important than a man, but that a woman (i.e. the wife) is the fulfillment for a man (i.e. the husband).This truth is also stated in the last part of 1 Corinthians 11:7 which refers to the wife as being the glory of her husband (i.e. for his honour, help and assistance rather than for her own or for another person/cause.)
Unmarried or Single?
Wait! What about unmarried women? Clearly Proverbs 31 describes godly qualities of a married woman but how does a single superwoman lead? The following points come from other parts of the Bible:
Marriage is the biblical ideal for young single women including younger widows (1 Timothy 5:14). Marriage is also the biblical ideal for men, for as Jesus said, not all men can accept singleness, just those who have been given the ability to be content in their singleness (Matthew 19:11-12). The Proverbs text deals with women, therefore I will limit my commentary to what I see the Bible instructing younger females. Single superwoman should be preparing to become married superwoman, as a default strategy. She works to make herself very desirable to men, but not to all men. She is looking for a loving and wise man who sees beyond charm and external beauty.
- The father of a single girl is to be her primary protector and provider. God has designed her father to be her loving protector. This is good preparation for a super single girl to turn into a super wife and mom. Of course fathers do not always fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Nevertheless, a single unmarried woman should remain under her father's guidance and protection, just as the father should remain under God's guidance and protection. If the father is not following God, then it is difficult if not wrong for the daughter to follow her father.
- When an unmarried woman's father is deceased, gone from her life, or irresponsible, then she has "special status" with God who promises to be a "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). God extra care for the fatherless is repeated for emphasis in Psalm 146:9 and Proverbs 23:10.
Not on Welfare
The bread of idleness may refer to low-quality, nutritionally-weak bread supplied to those who are idle or it may refer to the fruit or results of a lazy lifestyle, namely mediocrity. It may also refer to cheap and usually unhealthy “fast foods,” sold by many sidewalk vendors. When we read about such an incredible woman we must wonder about the source of her unusual drive and ability. Check From where does Superwoman get her super powers?
Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend
Jesus lead by example but not independently. In other words, even though Jesus was fully God, He did not act to satisfy His own desires but submitted His will to His Father's will (Luke 22:42). Even when it came to selecting His "right hand man", Jesus left that choice to His Father (Matthew 20:23). In perfect service, Jesus did ONLY what His Father wanted Him to do (John 5:19,30)
As the greatest leader of all time, Jesus taught with the greatest wisdom and kindness, but he also met the practical and physical needs of others with new health (Luke 17:11-19), food (Mark 6:34-44), and refreshment (John 2:3-10).
Men and women have been created to bring primary glory to God, not to themselves.
- Memorize the text in your favourite translation and think about it often.
- Learn about the Biblical roles of men and woman by studying the material on this website: Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
- Read the book "Let Me Be a Woman" by Elisabeth Elliot.
- Try to stay in top physical and emotional health.
Which of these steps, if any, does Jesus want you to take now? Ask Him.
