The book of Proverbs closes with a famous poem praising a virtuous woman for her attitude and capability (Proverbs 31:10-31). It begins in a general way: “A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels” (301:10), and we might suppose that this will be a general description of a perfect woman. As the poem progresses, however, showing us more and more details, we begin to realize that the author is writing about a particular woman and the specific things she does. If the beginning of the chapter are the words of King Lemuel’s mother (31:1-9), is the remainder of the chapter King Lemuel writing about his mother? Or do the words of King Lemuel’s mother continue to the end of the chapter? That would make this poem his mother’s description of a woman – her own mother? – who has been a mentor for her.

(As an aside, the name Lemuel is not mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Some have speculated that Lemuel might have been a nickname for Solomon, based on the L – M combination common to the two names: just as Lizzie can be a nickname for Elizabeth. It’s an interesting guess, and it may well be right, although there’s no direct evidence to support it. But the possibility can make us ponder whether Solomon may have preserved for us the wisdom of Bathsheba.)

The text shows us the strong work ethic of this woman: “she works with willing hands” (31:13) and “rises while it is still night” to organize the meals and the work for the day (31:15). But she is not simply doing housework: she runs what we might call a complete start-to-finish clothing production company. She begins by obtaining wool and flax (31:13), spins these fibers into yarn (31:19), directs those who work for her (31:15), produces and sells garments (31:22, 24), and knows that her business is going well (31:18). She also buys land and runs a farm (31:16); perhaps this becomes the source for the wool and flax. In addition, we learn that she is generous to the poor (31:20), instructs people with wisdom and kindness (31:26), and fears the Lord (31:30).

We should note that none of this matches up with what we might consider the stereotype of “womanhood.” Good looks and glamour are swept aside dismissively: “charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain” (31:30). And motherhood is only mentioned with a passing reference: “her children rise up” to say good things about her (31:28). Although present-day Christian culture often supposes that the ideal of a woman’s life is to be a physically attractive stay-at-home mom, this passage insists that ‘ideal’ is mistaken. The qualities the Bible actually praises in this exemplar woman are her generous wisdom, her business and religious leadership, and her financial capability.

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Returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them (Luke 24:9-11).
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Teach us to value ourselves and one another for the rich gifts and capabilities that you have set within us, O Lord, instead of merely on the basis of outer appearance: and teach us to use your gifts well, to bring you glory by accomplishing the good things you have enabled us to do.

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