A Capable Wife? (Guest Speaker: Ashley Wilcox)

Proverbs 31:10-31

Ashley M. Wilcox is a Quaker minister and the author of The Women’s Lectionary: Preaching the Women of the Bible throughout the Year (available now from Westminster John Knox Press). She is a graduate of Candler School of Theology and Willamette University College of Law. Ashley is a speaker, preaching coach, and workshop leader. Her writing has been published in Friends Journal, Western Friend, Working Preacher, Quaker anthologies, and on www.ashleymwilcox.com. She lives in Greensboro, NC with her partner and their orange cat.

Queries:

If you were to make a list about a praiseworthy woman, what would you include? What would you leave out?

Many women feel pressure to do everything for everyone, like the woman in this text. How can churches encourage self-care and community care?

How do women reflect the glory of God?

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NRSV):

10 A capable wife who can find?

    She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

    and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

    all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

    and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant,

    she brings her food from far away.

15 She rises while it is still night

    and provides food for her household

    and tasks for her servant-girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength,

    and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

    Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

    and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor,

    and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

    for all her household are clothed in crimson.

22 She makes herself coverings;

    her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the city gates,

    taking his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

    she supplies the merchant with sashes.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

    and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household,

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her happy;

    her husband too, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,

    and let her works praise her in the city gates.