If the Proverbs 31 woman?

Question

If the Proverbs 31 woman was a woman who made things with her hands, sold the things she made, took care of her family, kept the home, was known by her husband's reputation, etc... Why do women today demand to be away from their homes and families, stick their kids in daycare or public schools, and sometimes completely ruin their marriages in order to have their "own" career...when that was not part of God's plan for a woman? God laid out what He expects in Proverbs 31..why is it so hard for some to comprehend and follow?

I noticed the statement on a 2 income family. That isn't always necessary, if one learns how to use their available resources rather than overspend their income. I am a single parent who got saved and into church after having my son...and I am able to work from home...for myself...and tend my home and child. It CAN be done.

Answer 1

I totally agree with you. It is one of the saddest things of our times that most women are determined to become "men", be the head of the house and be providers. Meanwhile, the poor men are left confused and unable to fulfill their roles as men... How can a marriage work when there are two "heads" butting against each other and no "heart"? The home is left deserted and in a sad state.

What a sad thing feminism is... especially when it does nothing but defeminize women...

Answer 2

I wish with all my heart that I could stay home full time with my family. I am my families main income right now. Even when my husband is working his income cannot cover even the basic needs and my medications. I work nights so that I can be home to home school my sons. I do have the honor of working in nursing and that gives me at least the satisfaction of knowing that I can make a difference caring for the elderly. I do not want a career but unfortunately I have to have a job. Sometimes I think the bra burning femininsts messed it up for the rest of us.But then it is not my place to legislate where a peson should be. Live as you are called and bloom where you are planted.

Peace Be With You,
Debra

Answer 3

Your question assumes that all wives in today's society are raised up under a Proverbs 31 standard. Maybe it's a condition of Biblical literacy in general.

Or to make an even finer point: It's not just the women that have abandoned Biblical counsel in thier marriage. Remove the plank from your own eye, buddy, before getting the speck out of the other person's eye.

And don't say you're doing it right...if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us.

Now, I'm being somewhat persnickety, I know, you probably are a good husband. My point is, men have also abandoned their role as Biblical husbands, and you can see it every day. And since the husbands are to be the leaders in marriage, the wifes who are not following at Prov. 31 model are just being consistent with their mates.

Answer 4

What you are saying is noble, however, I disagree with you. Proverbs 31 was not written to expound on what EVERY Woman should do or be.

For too long the woman has been out there doing it all while the man sat at home, talking about being the king of the castle. She would come home, tend to the children, serve him and keep house.

A virtuous woman is not a slave.

I'm fully convinced, if a man was being a true man of God, he would attract a virutous woman. Many woman find submission difficult because men have taught that it is a woman's issue. Not true. Submission is a man's issue. If a man would submit himself wholly to God, there's not a woman in her right mind that wouldn't submit to him.

If you want a woman's virtues to shine, be a humble man, sold out to God.

Answer 5

Sweetie, first thing is first...What you comprehend, and what someone else comprehends are two different things. We all have our own opinions. God stated that He would not go against Our will. He gave us that respect. He didn't have to but He did. True some women ruin their family but God deals with them the same way He deals with us. Lovingly. When you do something, that might be wrong, He doesn't smite you down. He helps you up, brushes the dirt off your knees from where you have fallen, hugs you and says ...Lets go. That still small voice.
There's also a part in the scriptures, ( and I am not sure where ) but that basically states that how a man looks at sin to him is sin. Meaning that if a man thinks that going to a bar every Thursday night is not a sin..then in his mind its not, but you know, and I know it is wrong. As well as God. But as I stated, God wont go past Our wills...He will however send road blocks...trying to move us in the right direction. God does not want to see destruction and pain, but sometimes being as We just wont listen...like children..He has to allow us to learn on Our own.

Answer 6

Well, I do not completely disagree with what I think the direction of your observation is going, but one cannot use the description in Proverbs 31 of the godly wife as a prohibition against Christian sisters from working outside the home.

The exegetical error this conclusion would commit is to use the description in this passage of Biblical wisdom literature (and obvious commendation) as a PRESCRIPTIVE instruction with the same assumed clarity intended for Biblical didactic literature - like a NT epistle, for instance.

Genre interpretation needs to be taken into account - you cannot approach Bible interpretation without taking into account the genre of literature clearly represented in the section at hand.

Thus, you cannot take didactic passages as poetic metaphor, nor can you take historical narrative and interpret it as timeless instruction (a common interpretive mistake in approaching the book of Acts, for instance).

Yes, this description in Proverbs 31 is commended, but no where does it clearly prescribe this as the ONLY path approved by God for godly women to pursue.

Any more than it presumes that the only godly course for a believing woman of faith to take with her life is to get married and have children - another common erroneous conclusion that some would read into this passage.

God bless and hope this is helpful for you.

Answer 7

Those scriptures have a dual meaning. The Proverbs 31 woman is about more than her provision through manual labor and devotion to family...it's about the spiritual woman who's life is bound in the Lord, who labors for the blessings of heaven upon her household through prayer and relationship with God, and holds kingdom principles foremost in her life. For example..."Her household is clothed in scarlet"...is symbolic of the blood of Jesus and being clothed in the righteousness of God.

However, I do agree that the traditional family is suffering great loss due to neglect. Modern day priorities are pretty mixed up for most, and family usually comes last.

Answer 8

You are correct, however, we live in a 2 income society, where one income cannot bear the weight of simple necessities anymore.

The Proverbs 31 woman was a business wowan, however, her family was her main priority in that fact, she wasn't out there because she needed fulfillment, notoriety, equal rights, to "get away from" the kids, or other selfish gain.

Each person needs to find the "God Balance" in the Scriptures...

Answer 9

i stayed at home until the youngest child was 18. i took care of them, the home, etc. the one paycheck family is doable. you just have to decide on your priorities. we did not eat out often, have cable or satellite, or buy new cars. we utilized gardens, garage sales, and home schooled for several of those years. but in the end we have two children that do not have many of the problems kids their age have. now that i am not needed to tend the kids (or even the home as much) i have a position where i can work from home, pretty much my hours.

my version of Prov. 31 also talks about how she rises early and sees to her servants. apparently, they had money for servants.

my suggestion to you is to not be so judgmental. are you doing everything you are supposed to? how much time to you spend on yahoo answers that you should be with your family, in your studies, prayer, helping less fortunate?

Answer 10

Some may be intimidated by other people who tell them that being a good wife & mother is not a real job. However, I totally agree with you (except I don't understand the public school thing), and I encourage all my friends who are moms to stay at home and raise their kids.

Much Love!!