Proverbs 31 Devotionals Day 1

Proverbs 31  Devotionals

Day 1 Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Definition - Virtuous: adjective
Having or showing virtue, especially moral excellence.conforming to moral and ethical
principles In accordance with principles of right or good conduct: ethical, moral, principled,
proper, right, righteous, rightful, right-minded.Morally beyond reproach, especially in sexual
conduct: chaste, decent, modest, nice, pure,chaste.

King Solomon in Old Testament time was known for his wisdom (that is, up until the end of his life when he turned to pagan worship). The Lord had given the gift of wisdom to Solomon per his request. Much of the book Proverbs in the Bible, and the wisdom therein, comes directly from Solomon’s hand.

Proverbs 31:10-31 speaks directly about a virtuous woman. If we look up the definition of “virtue”, we will find explanations of moral excellence, goodness, and the ability to conduct oneself with ethical principles.

The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a choice woman.You have probably always heard it translated as the "virtuous woman."The Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary

explains that the term "chayil" was used to describe great forces and armies. A woman said to be "chayil" would possess a certain strength, might, and power!

The Proverb 31 Woman is no wimp. She is a woman of great strength! She is a woman of purpose. She is a strong contributor and asset to her home. She manages her affairs well. She is business-like, intellectual, and above all else God- fearing.

Her husband and children proclaim her as blessed. She is a "virtuous woman".The virtuous woman places all of her trust in the Lord. She knows that only through him, she has "come this far by faith."

When her child is sick, she is able to say
"All is well" as the Shunammite woman.

She is full of good works like Tabitha,

after her deliverance from difficulty
she sings" Miriam's song."

She possesses the wisdom and judgment of Deborah,

and pours out her heart before the Lord
as Hannah did before she received the
blessing of Samuel. 

And she realizes when she lays
her head down each night, that as
Mary, in her own unique way,
she is truly blessed among women.

She knows her redeemer lives and never fails to thank him for "Just another day." She is a woman of vision, and destiny. God has placed within her Spirit a ministering to others. She is not ashamed to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears and dry them with her hair because he alone is her life-line. Her head is held high, her steps are sure, and her words are well thought over. Her appearance portrays her royalty having divine DNA within her very soul.

Yes, she knows the storms will come, the winds will blow, there will be times when there may be sickness, trials, and heartache. However, her conclusion of the matter is this, she is assured that there will be times of joy, laughter, and deliverance with life more abundantly; this is the promise of her Father in heaven.

Joseph Smith often alluded to the bible in his writings and discourses, as the following will demonstrate. The 13th Article of Faith, of course, borrows liberally from Philippians 4:7, where the apostle Paul speaks to the saints: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The writings of both Joseph Smith and Paul on this subject could be summed up in : We believe in being virtuous. The concept of virtue combines every noble and decent human characteristic, quality, attribute or desire.

The word "virtue" derives from the Latin term virtus, which means manliness or worth. An earlier definition of virtue was, in fact, manly qualities such as valor, strength, courage and conviction.

Long ago, the word came to be applied to the female sex as well, as in the scriptural passage, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:9). Significantly, the First Presidency very recently has added the attribute of "Virtue" to the Young Women theme (see Dec. 20 Church News, p. 3).

In fact, the qualities that comprise virtue are applicable in appropriate ways to both women and men, to young as well as old.

In the scriptures, the word "virtue" is used to mean not just goodness but also occasionally the power to heal. See, for example, Mark 5:30, Luke 6:19 and Luke 8:46, wherein we read that virtue went out from Jesus and healed the afflicted. See also, Alma 31:5, which states that Alma, in an effort to reform his people, thought it expedient that he "should try the virtue of the word of God."

It is important that virtue should have this double meaning, for godly qualities can heal both the one who has them and the one who is influenced by them.The Virtuous Woman, where can she be found? Women say with me- I am she, because I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

If we compare the concept of virtue with a disciplined, prepared, lifestyle, the two would strongly parallel each other. In other words, a preparedness lifestyle contains many of the same virtues as those listed in Proverbs 31:10-31.

We will be looking at those virtues during the next 30 verses. Of course, this set of scripture verses refers to a woman in particular, but in truth the principles apply to all who desire wise living.