A virtuous woman is known by:
Her excellent character – Prov 31:10, 29 – she is virtuous. She is moral and chaste, and these give her power. Jesus had the power to heal. When he healed the woman in Mk 5:30, he knew in himself that virtue had gone out of him. Society talks about empowering women. This is a feminist thing, not a virtuous thing. Her power is in her virtue. She is honored for her strength [v.25] rather than her beauty [v.30].
My prayer for young ladies is that they will develop the qualities of virtue, discretion, and prudence. Because a woman is virtuous her price is far above rubies. Large gem-quality rubies are rarer and more valuable than diamonds of similar size. Likewise, a virtuous woman is rare and “far” more valuable than rubies.
Her godly life – Prov 31:30 – she fears the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a rare quality in women. She doesn’t seek favor; favor is deceitful. A virtuous woman, thus, knows not to play to the favor of society. It’s better to be accepted in the beloved [Eph 1:6] than to be approved by society.
In Prov 31:11-12, 23 her husband trusts her because she is trustworthy. She’ll do him good and not evil all the days of her life [v.12]. A virtuous woman, who fears God, lets God prepare her for her husband so she can be given to him as a prudent wife from the Lord [Prov 19:14].
Her wise words – Prov 31:26 – as you can see, this virtuous woman doesn’t have much time to sit around talking. She has lots to do. However, when she does talk, she “openeth her mouth with wisdom”. What she has to say, therefore, is worth hearing. And when she speaks she is kind. Virtuous women “speak as the oracles of God,” [1 Pet 4:11].
Her unselfish attitude – Prov 31:14-15, 21, 27-28 – notice the food in v.14-15 and the clothing in v.21. Her concern is for the essential necessities of her household [1 Tim 6:8]. So, she doesn’t spoil them with luxuries, yet she doesn’t skimp on the necessities. She provides nourishing, quality food. She brings it from afar and she rises before dawn to properly prepare it.
She is never idle, always doing something for others [v.27]. She works willingly with her hands [v.13]. She begins cooking before dawn [v.15], she works in the vineyard during the day [v.16], and she spins wool and flax and makes clothes, girdles and merchandise at night [v.18-19, 21-22, 24]. Notice that she “stretcheth out her hand” and she “reacheth forth her hands” to the poor and needy, [v.20]. Her life is about others.
Conclusion: Is it any wonder that a virtuous woman is blessed [v.28] by her children and praised by her husband? Even her works “praise her in the gates,” [v.31]. She rejoices at the time [v.25] when she is rewarded with the fruit of her hands [v.31].