Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Solomon closes the book of Proverbs by talking about the virtuous woman. This description of the virtuous woman is designed to show what women as wives should make and what wives the men should choose. Here Solomon lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife. Women, you need not be perfect; you just need to be excellent.

The word renders “virtuous” here means strength, ability, and efficiency (BDB Dict). The virtuous woman is a woman of strength and ability. She is capable, full of energy and diligence. Solomon says she is invaluable; her price is far above rubies - no quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth.

Are you the virtuous woman? The independent woman of today will object to my question. They will ask: “Is Solomon sexist? Is God sexist? How about the man? Why there is no description of the virtuous man?”

Solomon is not sexist; neither is God. Solomon has given more instructions about the virtuous man than the virtuous woman. There are only twenty-one verses about the virtuous woman. There are thirty and a half chapters on the virtuous man. Solomon all these while has been writing to his son. The term, my son, appears twenty-four times in the book of Proverbs. The instructions are for all men. The man who attains to the wisdom as describes in Proverbs is virtuous and an excellent man. He refrains from evil (1:15), stays away from the adulteress woman (5:8), trusts in God (3:5), is humble (16:5), diligent (6:6), obedient (3:1), righteous (16:15), a filial son (6:20), one who loves his wife (5:18-19), gentle with his words (16:24), who abstains from wine (23:31), and the list goes on.

Who says God is sexist when He has given more commandments regarding the virtuous man. God expects more from a man than from a woman.

I am glad that Solomon has not forgotten about the woman. For if he has, the independent woman will also complain: “What about us? Is Solomon sexist? Why is Solomon ignoring us?”

No wonder Solomon poses it as a question: “Who can find a virtuous woman?” The question implies that such are rare; and it is even rarer today. Yes, good women are very scarce, and many that seem to be so do not prove so. And blessed is the man who has found one for he has indeed found a very rare piece of jewellery. Solomon says “her price is far above rubies.” She is invaluable. Keep her as you would keep a priceless piece of diamond.

I like this statement about the virtuous woman: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (Pro 31:11). “Do you trust your wife?” I trust mine. “Do you trust your wife with your money?” I trust mine. The virtuous wife is chaste; her husband can trust her when he is out to work. The virtuous wife is not wasteful; her husband can trust her with his money - he shall have no need of spoil. It means he won’t become a poor man or a bankrupt as a result of marrying her.

To a virtuous wife, “Her husband is known in the gates” (Pro 31:23). He is known for having a good wife. I smile every time when someone praises my wife; I love those praises. I know I have found one who is prized above rubies.

To the young men, I hope you find one too. “Don’t look for a pretty face; it will turn old one day. Don’t look for soft skin; it will wrinkle one day. But look for a loyal heart that will miss you every day and love you forever.” Young men, look for a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. More importantly, are you virtuous? 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.