Why Is A Virtuous Woman’s Value Far Above Rubies?

     Have you ever browsed the internet, shopping for a specific item you really wanted but couldn’t find? It seems like the things that are hard to find are often rather expensive if you do discover them. The reason for that is apparent: since they’re rare, the seller can charge more for them. When a certain item is everywhere on the market, there is more competition to drive the cost down. If one seller sets the item at a low price, the other sellers will probably need to drop their prices if they want to make any sales. Today we are going to study Proverbs 31:10 and see why the price of the virtuous woman is even more precious than rubies!

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

  1. A Virtuous Woman is Rare (Far Above Rubies)

     Just as rare items of merchandise may become valuable, the same is true in a sense with people. Have you heard the saying that someone is a rare jewel? Maybe it’s their kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness of others, or their humility that stands out. They may be called a rare jewel because they possess traits that aren’t commonly seen.

     In Proverbs 31, a virtuous woman is compared to a ruby, a valuable jewel. Virtuous women, those who have been redeemed and are living for the Lord, are not easy to find. That is part of the reason why they are so valuable, even more precious than rubies, one of the most treasured gems.

   2. A Virtuous Woman is Wise (Wisdom More Precious Than Rubies)

     There is another thing that makes the virtuous woman valuable besides her rarity. The two main things the book of Proverbs compares to rubies are wisdom and a virtuous woman. This seems to point to the idea that part of being a virtuous woman is being wise. We see this idea verified in verse 26 of Proverbs: “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

     We also see in Proverbs 20 a comparison of wise lips with rubies and other jewels.

“There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”

Proverbs 20:15

     So why is a virtuous woman worth far more than rubies? Not only is she valuable because she is rare but also because she has wisdom, which the Bible tells us several times is worth more than rubies.

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Proverbs 8:11

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

Proverbs 3:13-15

     Wow! These are amazing verses! There are so many things that we are prone to wish for. It may be material things such as new craft supplies or a new dress. Or it could be something else like a friendship or a new skill we would like to learn. Even good things like this, the Bible says, are not to be compared with wisdom. In other words, if you take these things and look at them compared to wisdom, they are not even worth looking at. God values wisdom, and we should too!

Ruby Photos Courtesy of Agua Marina

 3. How Do We Get Wisdom?

     This brings up the question, how do we get this wisdom that is so valuable and can help us in our journey to become virtuous women? Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” If we want to become wise, the first step is respecting and honoring God and giving Him our reverence.

     The fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but there is also another step that is discussed in the book of James.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

James 1:5-7

     This tells us one simple way to get wisdom: ask! Isn’t that amazing? Wisdom is so valuable, not worthy to be compared to precious jewels or anything else we could wish for, and yet it is ours for the asking. There is also a way that we are to ask. We must ask in faith, believing that God will give us this precious gift as He has promised to do.

     We get wisdom by asking, but where does the wisdom come from, and what is it like? James tells us this as well.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

James 3:17

     True wisdom comes from above, from God. This wisdom is pure and gentle and brings forth good fruits in our lives. This is what we see in the Proverbs 31 passage. There is a long list of the good fruit the Proverbs 31 woman bears as she serves the Lord, her family, and those around her.

     This verse gives us insight into where her good fruits come from. They come from seeking the Lord and His wisdom. This must come before our works. He wants us to ask for wisdom and seek His strength to enable us to be virtuous and live godly lives in Christ Jesus.

 4. What Does the Word Virtuous Mean?

     We’ve talked a lot about the value of being virtuous, but what exactly does that mean? When I studied the definition of the Hebrew word where we get the word virtuous, I was quite surprised by what I found. Being virtuous might sound like something very soft and fluffy, but what does the word really imply?

     Virtuous is actually related to strength. The word that is translated as virtuous in this verse is also translated in the Bible as words such as army, strength, and valour. This tells us that being virtuous is not always easy. Living godly lives in this dark world is a fight. It is something that requires inner strength, the strength only God can give. Just as our wisdom can only come from God, so our strength to stand strong and do what is right must also come from Him.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11

 5. Tying it together

     Let’s piece together what we have discussed about this verse. A virtuous woman fears and honors the Lord, asks Him for wisdom in faith, and receives wisdom as a free gift from Him. Because of her wisdom that is more precious than rubies and the rarity of her virtue, she herself is said to be worth far more than rubies.

     She looks to the Lord to strengthen her to do right, which is how she is able to be spiritually strong and have the moral courage that it takes to do right even in difficult situations. As the Lord gives her His wisdom, she is able to bear fruit in her day-to-day life. She faithfully serves where He has placed her with the strength that He has given her.

Simple Takeaway

1. Virtuous women are rare and receive wisdom from God, which is two reasons they are more precious than rubies.
2. Wisdom comes from God, and He will freely give it to us if we ask in faith.
3. The word virtuous is related to the word strength. We can only be right and do right in God’s strength as He gives us His holiness.

Let’s Chat!

     Did you learn anything about what it means to be a virtuous woman? What thought is your key takeaway from the Bible study on this verse? Did you know that if you are God’s virtuous daughter, your value to Him is far above that of precious rubies?

     Until next time, seek the Lord’s wisdom and holiness as His virtuous woman who is worth more than rubies!

In Christ,

Bethany