Will the Real Proverbs 31 Woman Please Stand Up?
Don’t we just love the Proverbs 31 Woman? Or do we somewhat steer away from reading about her because we wonder if we can measure up to that perfect woman? I’ve felt both ways: delight and avoidance.
Lauren Crews is here to help us examine the Proverbs 31 woman in an inviting and powerful way.
I’m so excited to offer her book in a book giveaway. Read to the end of my post to find out how to enter the drawing. (UPDATE: THE DRAWING IS CONCLUDED) As you head there, I know you’ll be thrilled to read this snippet from her book “Strength of a Woman.” Also take note that Lauren has an accompanying devotional book to go along with her book. The devotional book is not part of the book drawing.
The 31 day devotional by Lauren
For Her Worth Is Far above Jewels
By Lauren Crews
When I was a little girl, I loved to visit my grandma’s house and play dress-up in her silky flowing chiffon nightgowns. The sparkling “diamond” necklaces and earrings I adorned myself with may have been costume jewelry, but in my imagination, I was a regal princess. I just knew my prince would arrive one day and ask for my hand in marriage.
I wonder if the Proverbs woman had the same dream. So many little girls do. But my childhood was marred with abuse, neglect, and molestation. Those diamonds I wore at Grandma’s soon mingled with dangling baubles of shame and worthlessness.
But Proverbs 31:10 tells men and their fathers to consider the value of this great woman of worth when figuring the transaction of marriage with her because she is a woman unlike any other. In keeping with the Ancient Near East custom of arranged marriages, paying a bride price was part of the arranged agreement. [Ralph Gower, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996), 64.]
Historically, however, the worth of a woman was not usually recognized or described like that of this Proverb 31 Woman. One commentary on this passage notes, “It is very remarkable to meet with such a delineation of a woman in the East, where the female generally occupies a most degraded position and is cut off from all sphere of activity and administration.” [Joseph S. Exell and Henry D. M. Spence-Jones, “Proverbs 31 Portrait of a Matron” in Pulpit Commentary. N.p.:n.d. Biblehub. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/31.htm Web. 18 Oct. 2015.]
Reading about this for the first time, I recalled those baubles of shame, and I wondered what my worth was—in both God’s eyes and my husband’s. God graciously reminded me that as the daughter of the King and a member of the family of Christ, I am held in uncommonly high esteem and worth, for I have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). And so were you.
Indeed, a woman of strength is priceless, worth more than precious jewels. The Hebrew word translated as “jewels” in Proverbs 31:10 (or “rubies” in other translations) is paniyn. Many commentaries agree the word means a small round object that has a red tint, usually defined as coral or a pearl.
The first time I read that definition of the word paniyn, I was immediately struck by how the description of small, round, red, and priceless objects resembled drops of blood, the precious red blood our Savior shed. As a woman of strength, you hold great value. (TWEET THAT!)
You are so valuable to God that He was willing to shed His precious blood for you. He paid this price for you; your worth is now far above rubies, pearls, or other jewels.
Oh, strong woman, God’s Word describes you as fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). You are made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Pause and let that concept of love wash over you. Reflect on your worth in His eyes, on the price He was willing to pay, and enjoy for a moment the incredible value He sees in you.
Thank you, Lauren, for this snippet from your great book, Strength of a Woman. I know many will want to be blessed and encouraged by your book. MY READERS: to enter the drawing for Lauren’s book, (but not including the devotional), please make a comment on my blog post. Last day for entering is Saturday, August 8th. UPDATE: Congratulations to Theresa who won Lauren’s book.
Lauren is an award-winning author and holds an MDiv from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With twenty years’ experience in women’s ministry, she dives deep into God’s word and is eager to share the many layers with women in all roles of life. She resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and two brown labs who have their humans well trained.
Reach Lauren at:
Twitter: @LaurenCrewsA2Z
FB: Lauren Monico-Crews
email: [email protected]
website: www.LaurenCrews.com
I know some people may shy away from the proverbs 31 woman, but to me she is a role model. When I wake up and get my husband coffee ready and start cleaning before he is awake, I think of these passages.
So glad you’re entering the drawing, Christina. We do need to see her as a role model given by God for our encouragement. Thank you!
SIGN UP FOR DRAWING
Thanks for entering Lynne. God bless you!
She is a great role model and what we can learn from her continues to amaze me.
Sounds like a powerful book! Thanks for sharing a snippet with us.
Arletta, thanks so much for joining in on the discussion. Yes, Lauren has written a powerful book. Thanks for entering the drawing.
Being a Proverbs 31 woman is, in a sense, something I’ve striven for and I love reading what other people glean from the passage. Looks like an incredible book!
Hi Dawn, thanks for stopping by and entering the drawing. I agree. We are looking for God’s work to draw us closer to being His Proverbs 31 woman. I know you’re going to love Lauren’s insights. I did.
Would love to read and study this book
Thank you for entering the drawing, Margaret. I’m hoping even if a person doesn’t win the book, everyone will purchase Lauren’s book. Thank you for stopping by!
So glad I piqued your interest 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity. I would like to restart my walk with this study.
Hi Marianne, thank you so much for stopping by and entering the drawing. I love your heart for God and know this book will boost your walk with God.
Marianne, that makes my heart happy. The Proverbs 31 woman sometimes feels like a standard but for sure, the passage is a song God sings over all of us.
thank you for the chance to win,
Thank you for entering the drawing, Charlene!
Sounds like an amazing book!
Jessie, I think it is, that’s why I’m so glad to feature it. I’ve put you into the drawing.
The Proverbs 31 woman gives us a goal to strive for. No one is perfect but we can try to be better.
I love your perspective, Judy. Even when God highlights what seems like “perfection,” He isn’t impatient with us but knows He’s working in us until we reach perfection in heaven (the only place it’ll happen!) Thank for entering the drawing. God bless you.
Amen, Judy! And, we can only try through the Lord’s strength.
I love Proverbs 31 woman scripture. Thanks for sharing the book snippet. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
I agree, Julie. I know we all do. And how fascinating when we can read some insights that we may have never heard before. Lauren makes that possible. I’ve put you into the drawing. I always appreciate your participation.
I do too, Julie. Is it ok that several of the verses are my favorite? It’s hard to pick just one. 🙂
I had a similar childhood to Lauren’s and have struggled with the shame. I avoided Proverbs 31 for a long time because it seemed to set impossible standards. Then God challenged me to study and memorize it. I was amazed at what I learned. I would love to read what Lauren has written about it.
Juli, thank you so much for sharing your story. I know I can, and many women can, relate to you and what you experienced. I’m praising God for how He strengthened you to take a step of healing in that way. He is so good. I’m putting your name into the drawing.
As I get older and am running out of steam, it is harder for me to want to look at the Proverbs 31 woman. I wasn’t even aware of it until you mentioned it, Kathy! This is probably the exact reason I need to study it again! I remember it being the very first Bible study I was in at age 15 and I’ve studied it other times too. But what a rich chapter for us women! Thanks for the opportunity to enter your drawing, Friend!
Hi my “auntie” Marcia, who was my tour guide when Larry and I visited a foreign country (which can’t be mentioned). Those were sweet connections. I totally get the “running out of steam.” Thankfully, with the wisdom from growing older, we can read about the Proverbs 31 Woman and know everything she did isn’t required of us all at the same time but represents different seasons of life. So Marcia, I’ll be eager to hear if you buy or win the book, of the wisdom you gain. Thanks so much for stopping by and entering the drawing.
Thank you for the snippet from the book. And could I please be entered into the giveaway.
Theresa, great to see you again. Yes, I’ve entered you into the drawing.
Congratulations, Theresa! You have won Lauren’s book. I will connect you both by email. Thanks so much, Theresa, for coming by and entering. God bless you.
I’ve probably read proverbs 31 a hundred times in my life and this never stuck out as clearly as it did reading this excerpt. “ He paid this price for you; your worth is now far above rubies, pearls, or other jewels.“ We are valued so much more than we could ever imagine or comprehend because He says we are! I love this! Such a great reminder in such a perfect time!
Brittany, I’m so glad Lauren’s sharing was meaningful for you. I love how the Holy Spirit takes something we’ve read before and makes it fresh and applicable to where we are now. So glad you stopped by and I’ll put you into the drawing!
Congratulations to Theresa who won the drawing! I’ll connect Theresa and Lauren together.