Now there is a curious thought... Did the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31 find time to actually REST? We know we do, and if we do not, we certainly NEED to! What does God’s Word tell us about the Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman at rest? If you look at the word “rest” in your Thesaurus, you will discover that it means more than just laying back and doing nothing. When a person rests, she is also taking the time to “become known” to others. She is loosening up and becoming vulnerable to her friends and loved ones, making it easier for others to see that spirit-controlled nature at work in her life. She is pausing and listening for what direction the Lord might have for her next.

Resting is not just kicking off your slides and putting your feet up on the tapestry-covered stool, yet God is pleased when you and I do stop and wait and take the time to rest in our Lord. Too often, we can be too busy acting out that “Martha-syndrome” and not have time for the Lord at all. I think a lot of Mary of Bethany when I think of the woman of Virtue. Mary knew how to sit at Jesus’ feet and just listen. Do we?

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
31:10

The virtuous woman is worth more than any ruby... any gem…more than much fine gold. She is becoming known to the women around her as a woman of grace, a woman of wisdom, a woman with a sensitive spirit. She is the woman who has a husband whose wish is to dwell on the joy he has with this his wife, as he works hard at his job during the day. He often says to himself and to God. “Thank you, Lord, for giving me my wife, my friend, my treasure.” She is virtuous in that she will sit and LISTEN to her husband when he comes home from that job tired and frazzled from a long-day’s work. She may have been working outside the home as well. On days such as these maybe the husband will cook that meal and the two of them can sit out on the deck and watch the sunset in silence together. The ruby shines and not a word need to be said. The two can be reading in the same room and just look up and smile. The ruby sparkles brighter at times like this.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
31:10

When a woman of virtue rests in her relationship with God, she is pleased to be the support of her husband. She does not have to be in the forefront. She is NOT head of the household. He is. If she is seeking a husband, she is praying for him every day. God knows who he is.

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
31:21

I wrote of this verse before as my favorite evangelism verse showing how a woman can fearlessly be an evangelist in her home and share the gospel with those in her home. We know that the scarlet represents the blood of Jesus Christ washing us clean and making us all white as snow. Another way the virtuous woman can make sure her household sees and understands the good news of our wonderful Lord is by her personal witness, her example. How does she live her daily life? How does she respond when criticized? What is her response when things do not necessarily go her way or when trials come? What the household sees is her and her relationship with the Lord. They respond as a result of her quiet testimony. She has become vulnerable.

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
31:25

When she sits still and waits upon God, he ministers His Word to her heart and gives her His strength to live and love each day. Her quietness as she rests in God clears her mind and heart to be receptive to His Word.

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
31:30

Lord God, just as you have called for us to be women of virtue, teach us to be that quiet witness in our homes, with our husbands, with our children, at our jobs, in the ministry, and even while at rest. Make us like you Lord. Give us testimonies so that we through our examples will be able to draw our friends and loved ones straight into your kingdom for Jesus Sake, Amen.