‘She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.’ Proverbs 31:14-16(NLT)
This scripture often quoted from Proverbs 31, outlines the characteristics and impact of an ‘Influential Wife’, not only an ‘Influential Woman’.
In many cultures and communities, in the transition of a young woman to a wife, she is expected to give up her entrepreneurial life and become subjected to the rule of her husband. The cultural expectations of the role of a wife see her world, hopes and dreams shrinking.
That worldview is diametrically opposed to the biblical ideal of a good wife.
The ‘Ideal (most suitable) Wife’ outlined in the scripture is an ‘Influential Wife’.
She is a trader (entrepreneur) who is not restricted in her thinking or business to a local mindset or business, but a global one.
She manages her home with diligence.
She is compassionate towards the poor.
She is wise in her counsel.
Can a modern biblical wife reflect the ancient biblical model of influence?
from The Art Of Marriage