The Real Proverbs 31 Woman
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
Who can laugh at the days to come? Some of us are in hiding, fearing the next loss, disappointment, or crisis. Yet, this woman, from the greatest book of wisdom ever written, looks into the unknown and smiles.
In my eyes, she has been a superhero, the Wonder Woman of the Bible, intimidating me for years. As someone with the limiting belief, “You’re not enough” playing on repeat, I saw this chapter in Proverbs as a list of accomplishments and qualities I could never attain.
She is described in many translations as the virtuous woman or wife of noble character. The Hebrew word is chayil, which translates as valor, an old word for courage, might, bravery, and determination, but in a military sense. She was a warrior woman!
What a beautiful description, to be clothed with strength and dignity. In ancient times, clothes were a visible indication of status and character. When this valiant woman was seen walking to the market, strength and dignity radiated from her.
Strength. The Hebrew `oz used here paints a picture of a powerfully capable and protective woman. She’s a wife and mother walking assuredly, even fiercely in that role. I have this image of a woman dressed in spotless white warrior garb, standing atop a rocky mountain, pointing a sword toward the sky. I don’t think I can be this woman of valor.
But she’s also clothed in dignity. This word is hadar in Hebrew meaning splendor, magnificence, glory, majesty, and adornment. In Psalm 29:4 hadar describes God’s voice, in Isaiah 2, it describes his presence.
Wait. This woman is clothed with hadar? This word is used throughout scripture to describe God himself. But, friend, it’s also the word in Psalm 8:5 by David when he says to the LORD, “you crowned them with glory and honor.” He’s talking about us. Humans. We were clothed with splendor and glory, adorned by our Creator.
The Woman of Valor was clothed by God with strength and dignity. He clothed her. He declared it so.
It wasn’t the food she gathered, the fields she bought, the weaving, or even waking before daylight that made her strong or dignified. God clothed her with strength, and glory and splendor. She was simply walking in that. She was living as a woman of valor because she believed she was created by God and loved by God.
She wasn’t working so hard to find approval, acceptance, praise, or honor, because she believed she was already enough.
She can laugh at the days to come. This might be my favorite part. The Hebrew is attishaq leyom ‘ahron, meaning, “she laughs at a day behind.” I didn’t understand this and had to do some research. The thought of the Hebrews was that it didn’t really matter what lay ahead because, looking back they could see how God always came through for them.
I had always thought this Proverbs 31 woman could laugh at the future because she was prepared. I should have known it was about God’s faithfulness, not hers.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
What if you and I could walk in our true identity? I hope you will remind yourself daily of who you are in Christ.
What if you and I could focus on God’s faithfulness, not the uncertainty ahead? He’s already there, working for our good.
