Proverbs 31:31a Give her of the fruit of her hands;
Solomon was instructed to seek a virtuous woman to be his wife. His mother showed him the things he should be looking for in order to recognize the virtuous woman. His mother informed him of the benefits of having a virtuous woman. Now his mother admonishes Solomon that he is not to prevent his virtuous wife from receiving glory for the inward character that she has developed in her life.
The virtuous woman is going to have an impact not only in her home, but also in the community. While Solomon benefited by being married to a virtuous woman, his mother instructed him to permit his wife to have impact in the community. Solomon was to allow her to enjoy the fruit that was a result of her godly character.
David was a man of character. When he saw Goliath, he saw the enemy of the Lord and he was willing to be used of God to fight the enemy and to destroy that enemy. David’s brother Eliab knew David and he tried to prevent David from fighting the Goliath by making accusations that David was proud and wicked at heart. David’s heart was right before God and regardless of Eliab’s attempts, David was able to have an impact upon the world while Eliab will always be remembered as a man who tried to prevent David’s faith from having an impact in the country.
God is looking for individuals who are willing to add to their faith virtue. They have taken the time to add character to their lives and they have the faith to trust God in whatever circumstances they are in. There are going to be those very close to a virtuous person who can very easily discourage the virtuous person from fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. As an individual who has added virtue to your life, you have an obligation to God to be like David who was steadfast in his ways and he did not allow those around him from persuading him from detouring from God’s plan for his life.
If you are around a person of character who states that God has told them to do a difficult thing, be very cautious and do not allow yourself to doubt what God is doing in them. Do not allow yourself to be like Eliab who tried to get in God’s way and prevent his brother from doing God’s will. Solomon’s mother advised him that God was going to use a virtuous woman and that he better not stop the work of God in her life.
God’s ways are not always your ways, you it is rare when you hear God’s direction for another person. Be very careful when you try to impose your thinking and desires upon the life of another. Instead, you should be willing to watch God as HE uses those close to you who have demonstrated that they have added to their faith virtue. These individuals will have fruit and your faith will grow as you as you see God demonstrate HIS power through them. However, you will bring shame to yourself if you attempt to prevent someone from doing God’s will.
There are two lessons that one can learn from the virtuous woman from this passage. One, do not put yourself in a position where you prevent a virtuous individual from doing God’s will. Two, if you have added virtue to your life, pursue God’s perfect will and the fruit of a virtuous life regardless of the pressure from those around you to stop.
