I know how some of you feel when the pastor says to turn in your Bible to Proverbs, chapter 31. It’s those familiar and daunting 21 verses found on the final page of the book of Proverbs that makes a part of me want to squirm in my seat a bit. “She” seems super human, untouchable, like a cold marble sculpture of a Greek goddess.

So why, I wonder, was this passage the final words recorded in this most famous collection of wisdom writings? It’s certainly in such a prominent place for a reason. Could it simply be that the character of a woman matters? It surely matters to her family, her community and, most importantly, to God. Therefore, it must matter to us.

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The first verse of this chapter asks the question, “Who can find a virtuous woman, her price is far above rubies.” Rubies, now that I like. They’re rare, they’re valuable, desirable and beautiful.

Wouldn’t you want those qualities? I know I do. Rare, beautiful, desirable, valuable to God, as well as to others. Guess what? In God’s eyes, a woman of virtue is of far greater value.

Of course, these words were recorded in ancient times, but they’re far more relevant today than the latest advice from self-help “gurus.” The question is, do we accept the authority of God’s Word or not? I hope you do. And if we love the Word of God as we should, more than a starving person does food, then we must ask ourselves, how do we measure up? Just because the standard is so very high, do we give it up altogether? Maybe the standard is high so that we’ll be forever learning and growing . . . at any age!

Generally however, we protest. Aren’t these qualities out of touch, written by some ancient king in a time and place long ago and far away? Well, yes and no.

Yes, these are the writings of Solomon, but if you back up a few verses you’ll discover these words weren’t his words to begin with. They are the words of a wise and experienced woman, whom many believe was Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon.

Bathsheba was a woman who knew and learned lessons the hard way. She was in touch with the real world of desires and deceptions, failure and sorrow, joy and heartbreak. So take heart as she writes from hers to yours and mine.

In verse 25, we read that strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come. Another translation says . . . “She smiles at the future.” Isn’t that what we want to be able to do, to smile at our future? I hope so.

Ladies, there is one who is already the picture of this perfection; Jesus Christ. Remember, the woman so eloquently described in these verses is the picture of the perfection we’ll attain as Christ works in us and through us. He’s already fulfilled all of this for us, isn’t that great news?

Draw strength from Him; abide in Him as He faithfully completes the good work He has begun in you and me.