Proverbs 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Jesus tells a parable where he describes the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. Some of the virgins were wise and they took extra oil in case the bridegroom tarried while other virgins […]

Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
A virtuous individual is one who is diligent. When others look at you, do they understand you to be a diligent individual or do they think you are lazy. In Proverbs 6, we are instructed to look towards the ant to see diligence. […]

Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
God expects you to be diligent. If you are diligent, HE will reward you. In 2 Peter 1:4-7, we are told about eight precious promises that you can obtain. The eight precious promises are […]

Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Are you diligent in your work or would others characterize you as a sloth? Joseph was a diligent man and it did not matter where he was, he gained favor in the sight of those whom he was working […]

Proverbs 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
In this passage, we see the benefits of those who attend unto the words of God and who incline their ears to the sayings of God. Those who seek after the words of God shall find fulfilling life. When […]

Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Italy. However, the ship found itself in a terrible storm which caused everyone […]

Ruth 2:7b so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

Scripture tells us that Ruth was a virtuous woman and that the entire community recognized the virtue that dwelt within her. One of the things that Ruth did in order to demonstrate to all who saw her the inward character of her heart was that she was diligent in her work. Ruth was gleaning in Boaz� field and when he showed up, he saw Ruth. He asked his servants who this woman was and his servants not only told Boaz who Ruth was, but also informed him on how diligent of a worker she was. Ruth had evidently been working for many hours in the hot sun, not taking any breaks and this really impressed Boaz� servants. They were probably not use to seeing gleaners who were diligent.

Proverbs 31:27b and eateth not the bread of idleness.

The eighth benefit that Solomon would receive in marrying a virtuous woman would be that she would continue to be a diligent woman. One of the many characteristics that Solomon was to look for in his future wife was that she was a diligent woman. Just because a person is diligent today, does not mean that they will be diligent tomorrow. However, Solomon was not simply looking for diligence in a wife, he was looking for virtue and one of the qualities he was looking for virtue would be found in diligence.

If a person just has diligence, they can quickly not become diligent when they grow weary or they just become board with what they are doing. However, a person who is virtuous understands that they are accountable to God and thus fills their thinking with the things of God. As a result, their diligence does not just come from their liking what they are doing; they demonstrate diligence because it is a way of life.

Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

The second benefit that Solomon would receive by marrying a virtuous woman would be that she would not change just because she was married. The virtuous woman prior to her marriage was an active individual who learned several trades and was diligent to work rather then remain idle while waiting for a husband. Now that she is married, she continues to be diligent and finds ways to use the skills that she learned in her youth to help support her family. The virtuous woman does not quickly forget the traits that increased her worth in the eyes of her suitor.

Proverbs 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The tenth characteristic of virtue Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that she demonstrates a humble spirit in that no work was below her station in life. Several commentators on the Bible indicate that at this time in Jewish history it was the servant�s job to work with the spindle and distaff. However, the virtuous woman that Solomon was to look for would be a woman who was not only willing to work with her hands but that no job was too lowly for her and that by her example, she would teach her servants diligent working habits. The virtuous woman that Solomon was looking for not only was willing to work, but she was capable of working many different trades and thus was able to help wherever the need arose.

Proverbs 31:18a She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:

The eighth characteristic of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was that the work of her hands be quality. You do not have to look far to find an individual who does the minimal amount of work in order to get by. However, when Solomon was looking for a spouse, he was to look for a woman who was diligent in her work, a woman who took pride in what she did and who did not cut corners.

Because you serve a living God, you understand that you are accountable to HIM for every thought, action and deed. When you add virtue to your life, you are now thinking upon the things of God which means that when you are working, you should have a desire to do the best that you can because you understand that God is being reflected to the world through you.

Proverb 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

The fifth manifestation of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry was diligence. Solomon was instructed to examine the evidences of a young ladies life to ensure that her life demonstrated that she was virtuous. The virtuous woman will demonstrate a desire to serve rather then be served. The virtuous woman will demonstrate a desire to be productive rather then be lazy.

This virtuous woman that Solomon was to look for could have stayed in bed and allowed her maidens to give her meat. However, Solomon was to look for the woman who demonstrated virtue through her actions of being diligent. Her actions needed to demonstrate that she was not a sluggard but a diligent woman. Solomon was not just looking for a wife, but he was looking for a helpmate, a helpmate who could assist him in fulfilling God�s calling for his life. If she demonstrated a desire to work, serve, and to stay busy, then those characteristics probably would not change and Solomon would have found someone who would make a good spouse.

Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

The third characteristic that Solomon was to look for in a wife that would help reveal her virtue was her work habits. Solomon was instructed to look for a bride who not only understood how to work but actually enjoyed working. Solomon was to look for a bride who was diligent, one who had a desire to ensure that her life was productive. If Solomon�s bride was not a productive member of society prior to their marriage, then what makes him think that she would be in a position to help him fulfill his purpose in life? If she is unwilling to do any manual labor now, why should he think that she would be willing to do manual labor once they were married?

Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Paul is in the city of Athens and he was grieved at how the city was given to idolatry. Paul preached the word and they gave him the opportunity to share his new doctrine with everyone. Paul at Mars� hill did open their eyes about the unknown God that they did ignorantly worship. At the conclusion of Paul�s preaching, some mocked, some desired to hear more, while a few believed. However, Paul did not stick around to preach again, instead he proceeded on to Corinth were he waited for Silas and Timothy.

Acts 17:11-12 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Paul and Silas came unto the synagogue in Berea and they preached the gospel of Christ. The Bereans were not like the Jews in Thessalonica who did not believe and made life hard for those who did believe. Instead, they heard a new doctrine and they studied it. Because they were diligent and studied what Paul and Silas had to say, they realized that these men were speaking the truth. Because the words were confirmed, they believed.

Hebrews 6:11-12 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Everyone is willing to be diligent and pursue that which they desire. If it is something they want, watch out, they are going to try every means possible in order to obtain. You will not have to worry about them being lazy. Furthermore, even if they run into some obstacles while they are trying to obtain that which they want, they will continue on because of the hope of obtaining that which they desire.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What is our purpose here on this earth? Our purpose on this earth is to bring glory to our Maker. We bring glory to our Maker when we live our lives in such a manner that the world through us sees an Almighty God. It is our duty to live our lives so that HE who made us is pleased with us. However, as we study this verse, we learn something very important about pleasing our Maker. We cannot please our Maker if we do not have faith.