A Woman of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known at the city gates, were he sits among the elders of the land.

The woman of Proverbs 31 is given to us in Scripture as a role model for godly women. She is in direct contrast to King Ahab’s wife, the wicked Jezebel. Jezebel had power only through the association of her husband, who was very weak in character. The wife of noble character, however, is a woman of strength and influence in her own accord. Her husband is respected as a leader because of his association with her. Indeed, a woman’s character will reflect upon her husband and will either gain or lose him respect as a leader among people.

The city gates in ancient Hebrew times were places where leaders met to make legal transactions and government decisions. It was, in fact, the gathering place of village leaders. The wife of noble character’s husband was known in the city gates and respected as an elder. Such a woman deserves an honorable man. As an honorable woman, however, she is an asset to him. His reputation is enhanced because of her. Ahab’s reputation was disgraced because of his association with Jezebel in a relationship that was considered forbidden by Mosaic law. As verse 10 of Proverbs 31 declares, a good wife may be hard to find, but she is worth far more than rubies to a man. Her reputation can literally make or break him in a role of leadership.

There is much biblical truth to the old adage, “Behind every successful man stands a good woman.” Our goal is to be a woman of noble character whether we have a man or not. Such a woman is an asset to any who are associated with her, and she deserves the reward of the fruit of her labor. To become such a woman, we can learn from the words Jesus told Martha in Luke 10:42: “…but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”  The path to becoming a woman of noble character today begins at the feet of Jesus.

Have a blessed day!