A Proverbs 31 Woman?

Proverbs 31 is often touted in biblical relationship counseling and texts and is mentioned often in dating as well.  It’s a different sort of chapter within the book of Proverbs, focusing less on general wisdom and more on the character of women.  Specifically, it refers directly to a wife and to her celebrated noble qualities and attributes.  From a male point of view, it describes the ideal character attributes in a wife.  (What godly man would not want to be partnered with a godly woman?)  From a female perspective, it describes the ideal kind of wife a woman should aspire to be.   Good enough.  But, you may ask, how does one become a wife of such noble character? 

Surprise:  It’s not by getting married.

In haste for relationship and/or matrimony, some women forget that a wife of noble character is first and foremost a woman of noble character.  The verses in Proverbs 31 are not describing a woman who gets married and is suddenly, spookily, and supernaturally endowed with mystical character powers rendering her excellent above all others.  No, the ancient wisdom in this chapter portrays a woman who has spent her entire life learning wisdom, growing in wisdom, practicing wisdom, and reinforcing wisdom.  This is the ideal, but remember:  Character is developed, not endowed.