“Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land” (Proverbs 31:23).
Our Eternal God, and Heavenly Father, you have taught us that “none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7). Help us to know that whatever we do will have an impact for good or evil on others. So please help us to allow You, to order our steps according to Your word. We pray this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today the woman is not cooking, or sewing, or decorating her home, or designing fabric, or ministering to the poor, or in any visible manner being hospitable. Yet, according to the tone of our Scripture for today, it would seem that the respect of her husband, in the community, seems to be linked in some measure to her impecable reputation.
“In the gates” was a very important place. It is here that legal matters were taken to be resolved. Inheritances, and the passing of property from one family member (usually the “next of kin”) to another member of the family, was decided. Even some marital issues were decided there (See Ruth 4:1-6). It was the place where people of importance were consulted and important decisions were made.
Obviously, the woman’s husband was someone well known and respected in the community. Note that it is the elders (the sages, the “wise ones”), who sit in the gate, and he is known among them. One Bible translation renders him, “a leading citizen.”*
Thus far, we can say of the “virtuous woman,” she is indeed, “an help meet for [the man]” (Genesis 2:18, KJV); “helper comparable to him” (NKJV); “a helper as his partner” (NRSV); “a helper who is just right for him” (NLT). Whichever translation of the Bible we use, the virtuous woman is just what the man needed, as well as what the world needs today, to make it a better place!
By God’s grace, as we surrender to His will, all of us can become virtuous women, and be used by God, according to His original plan for our lives, to make our world a better place!
*GOOD NEWS BIBLE, TODAY’S ENGLISH VERSION