Give her of the fruit of her hands— In these latter verses, the sacred writer expresses the felicity of this virtuous woman, dutiful children, a grateful and affectionate husband (Proverbs 31:28.); general esteem and approbation (Proverbs 31:30). Some render this verse, Men reward her from the fruit of her hands; her works shall celebrate her in the gate. i.e. "The single recital of her good works will "compose her sufficient eulogy."
Behold here, then, the picture of a virtuous woman, according to Solomon; a person of no ordinary rank, or obscure condition; her husband appears with distinction in the midst of princes and senators; he has no need to apply himself to his domestic concerns; her house is full of riches, and she is surrounded with maidens. She is not urged by parsimony and meanness to make profit of her labour, and that of her people: simple elegance shines in her vestments and those of her husband, in her furniture, and in her beds, and in her whole house. Piety, the fear of God, and wisdom, constitute her character. Vigilant, active, laborious, she remains at home, assiduous to conduct her household, and to bring up her children. Despising superfluous gewgaws and frivolous occupations, gentle towards her domestics, liberal to the poor, and prudently confining and limiting herself to the employments suitable to her: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. In her life we see neither gaming, nor diversion, nor high living, nor idleness, nor useless visits; no quarrels, or slanders, or those other abuses which form the most serious employment of women of the world, who are not under a necessity of earning their livelihood. Calmet is of opinion, that Solomon gives us in this portrait the picture of his mother Bathsheba. See the first note on this chapter. It must, however, be acknowledged, that there are some traits which cannot with strict propriety be applied to the wife of David; and perhaps the sacred writer had only in view to give us the general character of a virtuous matron and mistress of a family.
REFLECTIONS.—Let us, for a few moments, take a review of this beautiful description of what good wives should be. It is a pattern that they ought all to copy according to their respective stations. We have,
1. The inquiry made after such a virtuous woman. Many appear well at a distance, set off with every genteel accomplishment, and in person and manners engaging, who, when proved, often deceive men's expectations, and leave them without remedy to mourn the rashness and folly of their choice: but where God in mercy is pleased to bestow on us a helpmate, truly excellent, whose amiableness appears greatest the nearer she is viewed, and the more she is tried; her price indeed is far above rubies.
2. Her description:
[1.] She behaves so as to engage and deserve the entire confidence of her husband: she never gives him the least occasion for jealousy, or reason to doubt her discretion in the management of his domestic affairs; has no separate interests, nor ever wastes on herself in needless expence his substance; so that he shall have no need of spoil, driven to extortion to supply her extravagance. She will do him good; study his temper, make it her delight to please him, seek his advantage, and do every thing which may contribute to his comfort, profit, and honour in this world and in the next, and this all the days of her life.
[2.] She is active and industrious, and looks narrowly into her affairs; neither eats the bread of idleness, nor loves the bed of sloth: her house is the scene of order, diligence, and frugality. She does not love to dress, and visit, and card, and saunter at public places; her house is her happiness, and her domestic employments her delight. Her family is up before the day, and breakfasted, ready for their work as soon as the light arises; and each have their allotted portion, and know their proper employment; herself in the midst of them sets the encouraging example; and, having provided wool and flax at the most advantageous market, worketh willingly with her hands, not regarding it as a burden, but counting her duty her pleasure. Her work is not some foolish finery, which may be more properly called idleness than labour, but will be of use to her family. She is not ashamed of the spindle and the distaff, and with the candle-light lengthens out the day, till the fit time of repose arrives.
[3.] She is wise in the disposition of what she has wrought, and knows how to turn it to the best advantage, whether for domestic uses, or to exchange with the merchants.
[4.] She is charitable. Though she lays up a provision for her family, it is not at the expence of the poor; her hands are open to relieve their necessities, and the indigent ever find in her a bountiful friend: her diligence and oeconomy enable her both to provide for her own, and to have much besides to spare for the poor.
[5.] Her family appears in the greatest credit. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land; her good conduct advances his reputation; his wealth increases by her management: even his very dress, and that of his attendants, bespeak her care of his honour.
[6.] To enhance her character. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness; never haughty, assuming, sullen, peevish, contentious; but her language is tender endearment, and dutiful submission; she would rather hear than speak: when she offers her advice to her husband, she pretends not to dictate, but refers herself to his determination; avoids every occasion of dispute, or wisely yields to his superior judgment; and all her family are hearers of her gracious discourse. As she wishes to govern her household by love, not by threatening, her very commands are obliging, and her corrections tempered with gentleness.
[7.] To crown the whole: she is truly religious: she feareth the Lord; is governed in all her conduct by the principles of his word, and a regard for his glory; and this adds double lustre to all her other excellencies. Beauty of person is pleasing, but it is a fading transient thing, compared with the more substantial beauty of the mind: disease may soon crop, and age must quickly wither this fair flower; but time shall more improve the graces of the soul, and render the union of kindred spirits, heirs together of the grace of life, more intimate and endeared.
3. The blessedness of such conduct will be great.
[1.] It will procure praise and honour from all around: her husband will thank God, and count himself happy in such a partner; her children will bless her care, and grow up to acknowledge and adorn her gracious instructions: every eye will own her virtues; and she shall be praised, as worthy a name among the most excellent and honourable of women; whilst her own husband will not allow her equal to be found, and admires her as the flower of her sex.
[2.] She will have cause to rejoice in all time to come; her works continuing to speak her excellence, she shall reap the fruit of her hands; strength and honour shall be her constant clothing in this world; and in the world to come she shall receive the reward of fidelity, and rejoice eternally there, where there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, but the souls of the glorified saints are advanced to a state of higher blessedness than mortality ever knew, and are made like unto the angels.
Some have thought that this description is mystical, and applicable to the spouse of Christ, the church, whose inviolable purity and fidelity render her dearer to him than rubies; yea, he proved how highly he valued her, when he bought her with his blood: he trusts her with his gospel, his ordinances, his children, assured of her care over them: his honour and interests are her constant concern for ever. The external garments of profession, and the white linen, the righteousness of saints, are, through grace, her constant labour. By prayer and communion with God, she goes out, as merchant-ships, to heaven, and returns, fraught with the bread of life, from that far country. The stewards of her mysteries, rising early, dispense to each their portion, feeding each member of the family with those words of truth which are suited to their state and condition. The scripture is the field that she purchases, and she is enriched thereby: a purchase, indeed, made without money, and without price, Matthew 13:44.Isaiah 55:1.; and in her vineyard new converts are daily planted, and grow up to bring forth fruit unto God. She labours for the glory of her Lord, and the good of the souls in-trusted to her, with all her might. Her merchandise of grace is better than silver; her lamp of profession ever burning; and in the darkest night of adversity her hope is never extinguished. She is incessant in well-doing, and her spirit is charity itself. Her house is decently adorned, and her ordinances administered with dignity. Her husband, the great Bridegroom of souls, is known, honoured, and adored both by his saints below, and by angels above. Her ministers, receiving of her stores, make a rich return of precious souls. Strong in grace, and honourable, she shall rejoice in all the ages of time and eternity. The doctrines of divine wisdom, and gospel grace, are by her dispensed. Her discipline is exact, and no idleness suffered under her roof. The members of Christ, her children, bless God for their mercies, and pray for her peace and prosperity; and the Lord himself approves her fidelity, and gives her the highest commendation. All other beauty, and human glory, shall fade; but to eternity shall the church of the faithful-redeemed be for a praise; when her works follow her, and Christ shall bestow upon her the promised recompence of eternal bliss.