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A Modern Evaluation of the Wife of Noble CharacterTHE 303: Old Testament Poetry and Wisdom LiteratureDr. Mark BraunErin Malsack30 March 2017Multiple places in the Bible cause those with feminist ideals to cringe. At first, many depictions of women seem to be degrading or subservient. While God does make it clear that He has different intended roles and expectations between men and women, his love for all people is never faltering. God has a plan for all of His people – including wives. The wife of noble character described in Proverbs 31: 10-31can make modern women uncomfortable, but her description does not contradict feminist ideals through her marriage, or personal characteristics.First, one must address whether or not the wife of noble character is intended to be interpreted realistically. Throughout the book of Proverbs, there is a depiction of personified Wisdom as a young, faithful woman. Although the noble wife is described as wise, she is likely not the same Wisdom. Rather, the noble wife is a picture of Wisdom in action. She provides time period accurate applications of Wisdom’s character. However, there is not concrete evidence that such a woman exists.The proverb adds further ambiguity to the identity of the woman described in chapter 31. The section begins with question, “A wife of noble character who can find?” (Proverbs 31:10). This question is somewhat rhetorical in nature. It implies that this exceptional woman may not exist. Many comparisons have been made between Ruth and the wife described in Proverbs 31. They are women of action, kindness, and faithfulness. However, some differences remain between these women – such as social class and household industries. Although Ruth may be a sufficient representation of the noble wife, it cannot be confirmed that she is the subject of this proverb.After eliminating the likely candidate for the wife of noble character, one may draw the conclusion that she is the embodiment of what a good wife ought to be. This becomes the stumbling block for many modern women. Context must always be taken into account when reading scripture – both context within the section of the Bible and the grander scene of time. It is not possible to make a direct correlation between the wife of noble character described in Proverbs 31 to a modern woman. However, that does not render the noble wife invalid. One can understand what a blessing such a wife would have been in those times. This is why the phrase, “A wife of noble character who can find?” (Proverbs 31:10) becomes important to understanding much of this proverb. This is an ideal that worth pursuing – for husbands to find and for wives to be. This is a woman of true value.When considering much of the Old Testament – especially the book of Proverbs – one must consider that the majority was written by men for men. This is how certain Biblical texts may appear or be considered one-sided. The contents of the noble wife are the subject of this particular section. She is the embodiment of Wisdom and all of Wisdom’s ideal qualities. However, many of these lofty character aspirations have applications to both men and women. “Neither wisdom nor folly is limited to a single gender.”A correct understanding of feminism is also crucial to understanding Proverbs 31. True feminism is about equality between all genders – not the superiority of one over another. An important distinction is that things that are equal are not always the same. Consider four quarters compared with ten dimes. Both amounts are equal to one dollar, but that does not mean that there is no difference between a quarter and a dime. The same principle can be applied to the role of women in the Bible.The wife of noble character is an example of how women are able to match their male counterparts is responsibility and execution. The wife is not placed in a position of constant dictation in which she robotically must complete her tasks. She is not forced to do the work that she does, but she does is eagerly. The concepts of ‘option’ and ‘choice’ are fundamental to feminism, and this section does not refute them. Another way in which the noble wife can be illustrated as a feminist character is her self-sufficiency. She does not claim dependency within her household, but she is an avid contributor and provider for her family. This is not to say that she is the sole contributor, but the husband’s contributions are not listed in the same manner as the wife’s. The noble wife is not only seen as a provider but also as a teacher for her children. Her capabilities are equated to the instructions of a father to a son mentioned earlier in Proverbs. With all of these examples, the noble wife is not superior to her husband, nor is her husband superior to her. Both are equal counterparts within their marriage. Arguably, the wife and the husband could both be qualified as feminists.Although Proverbs 31 has little to say about the husband of the wife of noble character, substantial insight into their marriage may be gleaned from this section. While mentions of the husband are brief, he is depicted as an honored citizen – potentially a judge – who works at the city gates. His work is one of social prestige and likely social benefit to his wife and family. The honor bestowed on this husband and wife is a team effort. The independent work of one spouse is beneficial to the other. It is the perfect illustration of service in a God-pleasing marriage. His work is community centric while the wife’s is central to the household. “The passage shows wife and husband functioning as a team, the two ‘faces’ of the family, the former more private and the latter more public.” Their marriage is a partnership.It is in the ending of this section where the husband gives recognition to his noble wife. The previous verses in Proverbs 31 may – at first glance – be seen as an unrealistic list of requirements for wives with no sign of advantage to them. However, the noble wife is given the final place of honor in the book of Proverbs. “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate,” (Proverbs 31: 31). The noble wife is to be honored for her work. Her husband is to bless her (Proverbs 31:28). For their various work, both husband and wife are given a high honor. They are praised at the city gates.It has been established that the wife of noble character is not a slave to her work or to her husband. Her value and wisdom is solidified, but there is so much more to this woman. After all, she is the wife of noble character. Her character brings her honor and serves as a model for others. She is a strong, resourceful, and selfless wife.Before addressing the multitude of wonderful qualities that describe the noble wife, one must consider the ultimate source of her character. It is this woman’s faith in God that is foundation of her actions, not her own human will. Although the focus in Proverbs 31 is the actions of the noble wife, it is her motivation and strength behind them that carries the greatest weight. “Her strength comes from the Lord who enables her to do everything that she does.” In turn, she is able to go about her life with the strength given to her by God. Once she is filled, she can pour out the blessing that she has received throughout her life.The sheer strength of the noble wife is a fearsome thing to behold. She is characterized as being so self-assured that she takes and almost aggressive approach to her life. She is not depicted in timidity as many Biblical women are. Echoing the earlier supports to feminism, this woman is not displayed as someone who needs rescuing. Instead, the noble wife is portrayed in imagery similar to that of a warrior. Her strength is not a hindrance to her role as a wife. It is an asset that enables her to fulfill her duties in the superb manner she does.The next prevalent trait in the wife of noble character is her resourcefulness. There is no wasted produced in her work. “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard” (Proverbs 31: 16). In the verse preceding this one, she is providing food for her family. The Hebrew words “suggest that the woman is engaged in an adventure, pitting her prowess and resourcefulness against difficult odds.” The tasks that the noble wife completes are not always easy ones – again, consider the cultural context, but it is in her resourcefulness that she is able to succeed. Although this woman is described as being rather wealthy, the emphasis is not the quantity of her processions, but how she chooses to use them.All of the noble wife’s aforementioned characteristics are the product of a serving heart. Her concern lies beyond her own needs. In particular, the wife of noble character is especially dedicated to her husband. Once again, a wife of noble character is heralded as a blessing in a marriage. “Nothing is foreign to her, nothing is beneath her dignity, nothing is beyond her.” She lives a life of heartfelt service. Out of love for her Lord, her husband, her household, and the community the noble wife embarks on her work.Perhaps one of the noble wife’s most significant traits is one that remains unmentioned – her physical appearance. The wife of noble character is not given honor because of her beauty by which most women are typified. She is not made valuable by her appearance. In fact, there is no mention of her appearance at all. Whether or not she is visually unappealing or the most stunning woman in the world does not have an effect on her character. This serves as a measure for a Christian man looking for a suitable wife. Outward beauty will not last, but a wife who fears the Lord is a blessing.While seeking to find or become an exact replica of the wife of noble character described in Proverbs 31 is neither practical nor attainable by current cultural contexts, the true value of such a woman does not lie in the outward, physical deeds. It is her devotion to God that motivates her heart. Her loving heart leads her to actions of service. It is her actions, not what others say about her, that makes her a wife of noble character. She is a strong, feminine role model for women to admire and aspire to be.BibliographyAlden, Robert L. "The Noble Woman: Proverbs 31: 10-31." Proverbs: A Commentary on an Ancient Book of Timeless Advice, 219-22. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988.Claassens, Juliana L. "The Woman of Substance and Human Flourishing: Proverbs 31:10-31 and Martha Nussbaum's Capabilities Approach." Journal Of Feminist Studies In Religion, 5-19. 32, no. 1. 2016. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost.Davis, Ellen F. "A Valorous Woman (Proverbs 31: 10-31)." Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs, 150-55. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.Gawrisch, Wilbert R. "The Place of Women in the Life and Work of Women in the Church." The Ecumenical Review, 159-66. 5, no. 2. 1953.Goh, Samuel T. S. "Ruth as a Superior Woman of ????: A Comparison between Ruth and the 'Capable' Woman in Proverbs 31.10-31." Journal For The Study Of The Old Testament, 487-500. 38, no. 4. June 2014. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost.Hawkins, Tom R. "The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31:10-31." Bibliotheca Sacra, 12-23. 153, no. 609. January 1996. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost.McCreesh, Thomas P. "Wisdom as Wife: Proverbs 31: 10-31." In Learning from the Sages: Selected Studies on the Book of Proverbs, edited by Roy B. Zuck, 391-410. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995."Proverbs 31: 10-31." In Concordia Self-Study Bible: New International Version, edited by Robert G. Hoerber, 990-91. St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1984.Steinmann, Andrew E. "An Acrostic Poem about a Godly Wife." Concordia Commentaty: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture, 627-45. Vol. Proverbs. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2009.Yoder, Christine Roy. "The Woman of Substance (???????): A Socioeconomic Reading of Proverbs 31:10-31." Journal of Biblical Literature. 427-47. 122, no. 3. The Society of Biblical Literature, Autumn 2003. ................
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