This is regarded by many to be the description of the ultimate Christian woman.
I think she sounds like a working mom, not a stay-at-home mom. She seems to have a staff, not unlike this Alpha Mom.
Though I could be wrong. I’m just saying.
The Proverbs 31 Woman
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Actual Unretouched Photo 
wow I’m going back to read that link when I have more time. it looks good.
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I have never had the Prov. 31 woman as a role model. There, I said it.
She’s in the Old Testament. Anabapist are sometimes accused as weighting the New Testament over the Old Testament.
Here is place where that kind of theology works for me. 🙂
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the P31 woman, well, she was just supermom. I’m not.
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Aren’t Christians supposed to follow the New Testament over the Old Testament?
Didn’t Jesus come around and put a new, kinder, gentler spin to some of the ‘dash your kid’s head against the rocks’ and ‘don’t eat shrimp or you’ll be eating with Satan’ Old Testament extremism?
Didn’t Jesus even re-do the Commandments in Matthew somewhere? He didn’t name them all, did he?
As for the woman in Prov. 31…I smell male, patriarchal propaganda. I don’t think she has a staff. She’s just supposed to do all the work so her husband can, you know, exert his manliness by sitting around, drinking beer and watching people being stoned to death on ‘Monday Night At the Quarry’ with Frank Gifrock and Terry Bradstone.
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wow I’m going back to read that link when I have more time. it looks good.
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I have never had the Prov. 31 woman as a role model. There, I said it.
She’s in the Old Testament. Anabapist are sometimes accused as weighting the New Testament over the Old Testament.
Here is place where that kind of theology works for me. 🙂
LikeLike
the P31 woman, well, she was just supermom. I’m not.
LikeLike
Aren’t Christians supposed to follow the New Testament over the Old Testament?
Didn’t Jesus come around and put a new, kinder, gentler spin to some of the ‘dash your kid’s head against the rocks’ and ‘don’t eat shrimp or you’ll be eating with Satan’ Old Testament extremism?
Didn’t Jesus even re-do the Commandments in Matthew somewhere? He didn’t name them all, did he?
As for the woman in Prov. 31…I smell male, patriarchal propaganda. I don’t think she has a staff. She’s just supposed to do all the work so her husband can, you know, exert his manliness by sitting around, drinking beer and watching people being stoned to death on ‘Monday Night At the Quarry’ with Frank Gifrock and Terry Bradstone.
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The Prov. 31 woman is an ideal of what we should work towards. No one woman is going to completely fit that description. She reminds me of an ancient version of Martha Stewart. However, just because the Prov. 31 woman seems too perfect doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve ourselves to be more like her. Yes, she had servants but so do we: all of our large appliances, our cars, USPS, internet, etc.
If the Old Testament is null and void, then why do we even have it and why did God bother with it. Matthew 5:17,18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
As for the “Alpha Mom,” I had read this article previously and I feel really sorry for her. Instead of spending time to get to know her child, she hired a staff to deal with him. A helpful Grandmother, Mother’s Helper, etc. is great but does a Mother really need a night nurse, nanny, and babysitter? If you need that much help for one child, why have children? It seems silly to me.
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WOW!!! Alpha mom needs electro-shock. She’s scary.
As far as the Biblical mom…. Ummmm, ya think a man wrote that?
I think we should all work to be the best moms, wives, workers, friends, citizens we can be. But for Pete’s sake that poor woman is not allowed to take a bubble bath once a week unless it’s to make her smell good for hubby. Is our identity meant to be totally lost to our husband? Does “I do” mean ” I do what you want and never think of my own goals?” If God gives a woman a talent is she not spitting in the face of God to toss it aside to follow the life outlined in P31 to its detail? I think there must be a middle ground between Proverbs woman and Alpha Mom…
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I am a “working mom” with “a staff” but I am neither alpha mom nor Proverbs 31. Not even CLOSE! More like “tripping over herself more often than not” mom.
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The Prov. 31 woman is an ideal of what we should work towards. No one woman is going to completely fit that description. She reminds me of an ancient version of Martha Stewart. However, just because the Prov. 31 woman seems too perfect doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve ourselves to be more like her. Yes, she had servants but so do we: all of our large appliances, our cars, USPS, internet, etc.
If the Old Testament is null and void, then why do we even have it and why did God bother with it. Matthew 5:17,18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
As for the “Alpha Mom,” I had read this article previously and I feel really sorry for her. Instead of spending time to get to know her child, she hired a staff to deal with him. A helpful Grandmother, Mother’s Helper, etc. is great but does a Mother really need a night nurse, nanny, and babysitter? If you need that much help for one child, why have children? It seems silly to me.
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WOW!!! Alpha mom needs electro-shock. She’s scary.
As far as the Biblical mom…. Ummmm, ya think a man wrote that?
I think we should all work to be the best moms, wives, workers, friends, citizens we can be. But for Pete’s sake that poor woman is not allowed to take a bubble bath once a week unless it’s to make her smell good for hubby. Is our identity meant to be totally lost to our husband? Does “I do” mean ” I do what you want and never think of my own goals?” If God gives a woman a talent is she not spitting in the face of God to toss it aside to follow the life outlined in P31 to its detail? I think there must be a middle ground between Proverbs woman and Alpha Mom…
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I am a “working mom” with “a staff” but I am neither alpha mom nor Proverbs 31. Not even CLOSE! More like “tripping over herself more often than not” mom.
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Well, there seems to be a bit of a contradiction as far as the Old Testament and the New Testament are concerned.
As MHH states, Jesus claimed that he is not around to contradict the OT and yet doesn’t Jesus do a new take on ‘an eye for an eye’ in that same chapter of Matthew?
Also, doesn’t Paul contradict the OT in Romans 7:4-6?
Of course one could say that the JC trumps Paul. In that case may I point out that the only disparaging remarks against lesbians that occur in the Bible are made by Paul. (I have a personal interest in this point.)
I stand corrected about Prov.31’s staff and do agree with MHH that we also have a staff in the ways she pointed out.
Is stephanie’s question rhetorical? “If God gives a woman a talent is she not spitting in the face of God to toss it aside to follow the life outlined in P31 to its detail?”
Is it not unlike, ?Can God create a rock so heavy that even God can?t lift the rock??
Given the Bible?s view of women, I?d say women and rocks are basically equal.
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Lookie here, a little exchange of ideas and opinions. I like it! (Elizabeth, I’d have to disagree with you regarding the value of women in the Bible. Perhaps they were not valued in the society of the day, but Jesus went out of his way to reach out to women. And the Old Testament has examples of women who were not mere rocks.)
Now, carry on. I’ll leave this discussion to you.
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Over the course of my life, I hope I manage to hit on all of the Prov. 31 woman’s ideals.
She used her gifts. Good for her.
She had her own little business. Good for her.
Good for her for all those things she was able to do, and did.
I don’t see were it’s a commandment to BE her, but if in the end I WAS like her, I’d consider myself successful.
I also have always thought that she never knew this about herself. Other people saw it in her, and blessed her for it.
I’ve gotten awfully sick of those who think they are her, or even could be. It seems to me to be a Catch 22. If you think you’re her, you’re not. If you don’t think you are, you are probably closer to it than you think.
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Well, there seems to be a bit of a contradiction as far as the Old Testament and the New Testament are concerned.
As MHH states, Jesus claimed that he is not around to contradict the OT and yet doesn’t Jesus do a new take on ‘an eye for an eye’ in that same chapter of Matthew?
Also, doesn’t Paul contradict the OT in Romans 7:4-6?
Of course one could say that the JC trumps Paul. In that case may I point out that the only disparaging remarks against lesbians that occur in the Bible are made by Paul. (I have a personal interest in this point.)
I stand corrected about Prov.31’s staff and do agree with MHH that we also have a staff in the ways she pointed out.
Is stephanie’s question rhetorical? “If God gives a woman a talent is she not spitting in the face of God to toss it aside to follow the life outlined in P31 to its detail?”
Is it not unlike, ?Can God create a rock so heavy that even God can?t lift the rock??
Given the Bible?s view of women, I?d say women and rocks are basically equal.
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Lookie here, a little exchange of ideas and opinions. I like it! (Elizabeth, I’d have to disagree with you regarding the value of women in the Bible. Perhaps they were not valued in the society of the day, but Jesus went out of his way to reach out to women. And the Old Testament has examples of women who were not mere rocks.)
Now, carry on. I’ll leave this discussion to you.
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Over the course of my life, I hope I manage to hit on all of the Prov. 31 woman’s ideals.
She used her gifts. Good for her.
She had her own little business. Good for her.
Good for her for all those things she was able to do, and did.
I don’t see were it’s a commandment to BE her, but if in the end I WAS like her, I’d consider myself successful.
I also have always thought that she never knew this about herself. Other people saw it in her, and blessed her for it.
I’ve gotten awfully sick of those who think they are her, or even could be. It seems to me to be a Catch 22. If you think you’re her, you’re not. If you don’t think you are, you are probably closer to it than you think.
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I’m not over-keen on the Proverbs 31 woman either. It does say she’s rarer than rubies, and I guess they were pretty rare, so there aren’t too many of them around.
More importantly, I don’t think she’s even supposed to be a role-model. Christians are supposed to become more like Jesus, not like anyone else in the Bible. Sure, this woman did a good job but she had servants and dressed her children in fine linen, and her husband was one of the leading citizens, so she must have been fairly wealthy.
It’s true that in worldwide terms we’re all wealthy in the west, and that we have modern ‘servants’ such as washing machines and food processors, but life isn’t the same. I’m happy to admire this woman, as I admire other people who made a success of their lives, and then move on. I’m not going to try to emulate her because it wouldn’t work.
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I’m not over-keen on the Proverbs 31 woman either. It does say she’s rarer than rubies, and I guess they were pretty rare, so there aren’t too many of them around.
More importantly, I don’t think she’s even supposed to be a role-model. Christians are supposed to become more like Jesus, not like anyone else in the Bible. Sure, this woman did a good job but she had servants and dressed her children in fine linen, and her husband was one of the leading citizens, so she must have been fairly wealthy.
It’s true that in worldwide terms we’re all wealthy in the west, and that we have modern ‘servants’ such as washing machines and food processors, but life isn’t the same. I’m happy to admire this woman, as I admire other people who made a success of their lives, and then move on. I’m not going to try to emulate her because it wouldn’t work.
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Sometimes I wonder if we forget that this passsage was written by a man who wanted to record the advice of his mother. It must have been important to him to have a mother who cared about his future wife. We don’t have to take this as a command, but just because it’s in the OT and not the NT, doesn’t negate it. If the OT was something we could just forget, hey, tear it up and throw it away.
Lastly, I’m inclined to look at P31’s ‘being’ more than her ‘doing.’ For example, “She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” She can only know wisdom and faithful instruction from a faithfulness to God.
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Sometimes I wonder if we forget that this passsage was written by a man who wanted to record the advice of his mother. It must have been important to him to have a mother who cared about his future wife. We don’t have to take this as a command, but just because it’s in the OT and not the NT, doesn’t negate it. If the OT was something we could just forget, hey, tear it up and throw it away.
Lastly, I’m inclined to look at P31’s ‘being’ more than her ‘doing.’ For example, “She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” She can only know wisdom and faithful instruction from a faithfulness to God.
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It is not that the NEW TESTAMENT is Superior to the OLD TESTAMENT..nor are we to neglect the OLD TESTAMENT in our studies. THE Entire Bible is profitable for our instruction.
Regarding the Proverbs 31 woman…It is my opinion that many Christian women are threatened by the seemingly “IMpoSSible standards” presented here… and that is to be understood. In the days of raising little ones it is ridiculous for one person to accomplish all that is implied in the P-31 woman’s daily tasks…and yet the Ideal is presented here.
Truly if unlimited energy were available I believe that many of us would attempt to become this IDEAL and Most Noble woman. I mean she is THE supreme Homemaker and she is industrious…
If this was indeed SOLOMONS mother that he wrote about…WELL, That would mean that she lived in a ROYAL HOUSEHOLD…and she had servants galore…SO, take the pressure off of your exhausted selves…As women of GOD…we too are royal…and do the best you can….That is all you can do.
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It is not that the NEW TESTAMENT is Superior to the OLD TESTAMENT..nor are we to neglect the OLD TESTAMENT in our studies. THE Entire Bible is profitable for our instruction.
Regarding the Proverbs 31 woman…It is my opinion that many Christian women are threatened by the seemingly “IMpoSSible standards” presented here… and that is to be understood. In the days of raising little ones it is ridiculous for one person to accomplish all that is implied in the P-31 woman’s daily tasks…and yet the Ideal is presented here.
Truly if unlimited energy were available I believe that many of us would attempt to become this IDEAL and Most Noble woman. I mean she is THE supreme Homemaker and she is industrious…
If this was indeed SOLOMONS mother that he wrote about…WELL, That would mean that she lived in a ROYAL HOUSEHOLD…and she had servants galore…SO, take the pressure off of your exhausted selves…As women of GOD…we too are royal…and do the best you can….That is all you can do.
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I follow christian values, but have difficulty when it comes to most in the old testament. Things like having no earrings, no body piercings, covering hair; Really that was more of the culture and the times. Things have changed so much, it would be hard to follow those teachings especially being the Proverbs 31. It makes me feel inadequate and so unhappy at the prospect of marriage. Am I doomed to being single or having a failed marrigae because I cant be the proverbs 31 woman. I d really like to be in a warm and loving marriage, where we are partners, friends, lovers. Not a mechanical, super fabulous robot, that can smile too and give alms to the poor. Just as there is no Mr. Right, its impossible to be the Proverbs 31 woman in this day and age. We can try, and efforts to being that should be appreciated. However, not if its causing so much inner resentment and conflict. The motivation should be right. Be a Proverbs 31 woman if it makes you happy and fulfilled. Not if its going to upset the whole balance of who you are, what you want to be, and what makes you happy.
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Lets not forget that the Virtous woman in Proverbs 31 is fictious she is an ideal woman in the eyes of Soloman or his Mom who was Bathsheba by the way! There are many impossible standards in the bible the point of the Sermon on the Mount is also an impossible standard. The old testament was to help us see that God is Holy and we cannot meet his high standards as Paul said in romans All fall short of the Glory of God. We live life as christians by the Grace of God not our own trying very hard to meet someone’s idea of the perfect woman or man wife or husband. I give up I’ll never be perfect and don’t even meet up to my own standards. Praise God He loves me and accepts me as I am and transforms me into who his likeness by his love and grace.
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As a wife for over 21 years, a mother to 3 teenagers and who works full time outside the home, I get strength from Proverbs 31. I find beauty in they way this ideal woman managers her life. There are many times in my life where I let my job, the kid’s outside activities and other outside committments overrun my life. When this happens the home and our homelife suffers. But when I work towards being a woman like her, my life and family run much smoother. I get up before the kids and in the quietness of home I find time to set the framework for the day. Getting little things done and spending time with the Lord makes all the difference. I focus on creating a home for fun and tranquility. The mornings are so much easier when the laundry is clean and the home is in order. I’m less likely to get noses plugged when meals are planned and shopped for in advance. We work together and we play together. Also, being married is hard work. To be successful you need both parties giving 100% but the only behavior I control is my own so I work at and give 100% to my man. He gets my admiration, my love, my dedication and my body. In return he wants to give his 100% to me. It is a win/win. Be a wife who works hard and makes her home a place her husband and children want to be. What greater gift can there be!!!
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