God's Pattern of Wisdom

Proverbs 31:25 states, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future” (NASB). Who is she? In this thirty-first chapter of Proverbs, the woman described is a woman of God with many traits to be found in the ideal wife. That sounds amazing, but the passage may also challenge us to think, “Maybe it’s true for her. She sounds perfect. But it’s doubtful for me. Look at me! I don’t run my household as well as this woman. I don’t sew or have a field so I can run a business and make money in these trying times. In fact, I am not measuring up to her at all. And what if I’m not even married? How does this apply to me?”

The entire passage might make us feel rather inadequate. But there is always purpose and inspiration in the writings of Scripture. Why has the Holy Spirit made sure that Proverbs and, in particular, this passage on a virtuous woman are in this book? What is the book of Proverbs all about?

Proverbs is considered “wisdom literature.” Other Old Testament books of wisdom literature are Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, and the Song of Solomon. The word wisdom in the Bible refers to the use of knowledge in the right way. The wisdom literature shows us the ethics of God’s Kingdom as lived out by the people of God. The Scripture is timeless, so although there are many brilliant people in the world today, they are not wise unless they use their knowledge in accordance with God’s Word.

It is interesting to note that in some versions of the Hebrew Bible, the book of Ruth is located just after Proverbs (while in the Christian Bible, the book of Ruth is located just after the book of Judges). It is thought that in some earlier arrangements of the Scripture, Ruth was placed after Proverbs because of the similar subject matter about a noble or virtuous woman, as stated in Ruth 3:11: “You are a woman of noble character” (CSB). The biblical account of Ruth depicts a virtuous woman and shows how God is interested and involved in the ordinary affairs of daily life; but it also shows the Kingdom impact of His people in the world currently and eternally.

It is encouraging for all of us to realize that the Proverbs 31 woman is the personification of godly wisdom. In fact, when we read the traits of the Proverbs 31 woman, we can think of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, we read, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God” (NIV). Christ’s perfect life reflects the example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Human wisdom can never be a virtuous or victorious example or pattern of wisdom, and it certainly can’t solve life’s problems. Proverbs, however, depicts the wonderful power and potential for godly living in all circumstances and settings. God wants to give us His wisdom so that we have His knowledge for all of life.

The strength and dignity garments of the Proverbs woman represent her moral force and worth, which arm her against care and worry. She smiles and looks confidently at the future because it causes her no anxiety. She knows the One in whom she has placed her trust as she grows and develops her relationship with the Lord day by day. Her clothing is glory, meaning that which is elevated above that which is common and worldly. This woman of God is virtuous and industrious because her plans and goals keep her developing and growing stronger and becoming more of who God has called her to be in every area of her life.

Are you goal-oriented? Then the Proverbs 31 pattern is better than any workout plan or skill list you have ever attempted, because it is effective for now and forever. When we work and live out God’s Bible knowledge, then His strength and virtue create a godly, wise, and Holy-Spirit-power-filled woman.

In the first chapter of the book of Proverbs we read that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7 NIV). At the close of this wisdom manual from heaven, we find the same emphasis: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Prov 31:30 NIV). As we live our lives in the Lord, we are wise women, demonstrating His pattern for strength and dignity.