Gabrielle Rockson

The Proverbs 31 woman.

For a long time, when I thought of the Proverbs 31 woman in the Bible, I always saw her as a woman who took care of her home, was a perfect wife, and a perfect mother. In my head, she was the kind of woman who made bread from scratch and knitted her children’s clothes.

Proverbs 31:13–15: “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.”

Proverbs 31:21–22: “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.”

But recently, I realised I had overlooked the parts of her assignment that extended beyond the home.

While this lady certainly took care of her family, she also handled her finances and was a force in the world of business.

Proverbs 31:16 says: “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

This shows that not only did she have the financial capability to buy land, but she also possessed the knowledge required to assess it before making her investment.

Proverbs 31: 17-19: “She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.  She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.”

I love the verse above because it illustrates how the Proverbs 31 woman was successful when it came to her work — “She makes sure her dealings are profitable.”

And despite doing well in her business affairs, she still looked after her home and was seen as a treasure by her husband and children.

Proverbs 31:27–28: “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Life has different seasons, and I think there are moments in a woman’s life where she may decide to stay home more — for example, when her children are younger. And there may also be seasons when her children are older and she chooses to work more.

I think the most important thing is to hear God’s direction, understand the assignment we’re being called to, and trust that God will equip us to do it.

If a woman has been called to look after her home, it doesn’t mean she can’t flourish in her work or business ventures. And I think the Proverbs 31 woman illustrates that God has given us the capacity to do it all.

Now, one woman’s reflection of being a Proverbs 31 woman may look different to the next woman, and there could be certain aspects of the Proverbs 31 woman that we display more than others.

But either way, it’s important for us to know that God has given us the capacity to thrive in whichever assignment He has called us to — whether it’s the home, work, or both.