This post is Day 19 in a series of studies about “Work/Works”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Work/Works – Day 19

The city gate was where the leaders of the town met to discuss anything and everything that was going on in their part of the world. They observed different people from the city. Hence this verse today suggesting that this perfect wife would be talked about by the city council.

Proverbs 31:31

Honour her for all that her hands have done, and let her own works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Thought

At the city gate was where the leaders of the town met to discuss anything and everything that was going on in their part of the world. From this vantage point they knew who was coming and going. And they heard all the news from their own city as well as from everywhere else. They observed different people from the city. Hence this verse today suggesting that this “perfect” wife would be talked about by the “city council”. Praise indeed! But it is worth noting that her husband was amongst the men at the city gate (v23)! He could be a proud man!

21 verses of this chapter of Proverbs are dedicated to this lady. They make an interesting study in women’s groups, but also in mixed groups too. She is obviously not from a poor background, but she has a great sense of responsibility to contribute to the household expenses. So she works! The fabrics in the home are her produce, she spins her own wool, and does many things that the average woman today, certainly in much of the western world, would not have any idea how to do.

Action

Read Proverbs 31:10-31. If you are female ask yourself what is your gut reaction to this woman. Jealousy because she is capable of more than you, or because they talk about her at the council meeting?

If you are male, think about the females in your family. Does any one of them live up to a modern version of this lady?

Think today about your attitude to having a working wife, and how that has changed through the years, even during our own lifetime. (Personally I speak as one whose mother never worked outside the home, and I didn’t either from my first child being born, until all 3 were well settled in school) I have no regrets!

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