The Embodiment of Virtue

The Embodiment of Virtue By D’edra Y. Armstrong King Solomon, one of the wisest men in Biblical history, dared not close out the Book of Proverbs—Book of Wisdom—without celebrating the life of an admirable woman that King Lemuel christened “virtuous.” This passage is a literary masterpiece in its own right in many aspects, two of which should be briefly probed.  Notice first, the narrator’s brilliant use of the word “find” in the opening sentence—Who can find a virtuous woman? (Proverbs 31:10). At first glance, it appears as though the author is inferring to a search or discovery in terms of locality. However, the very next sentence gives a proclamation of this woman’s worth, comparing it to one of the rarest jewels—rubies. Worth mentioning is the fact that gemologists assert the ruby is a hundred times rarer than a fine diamond. Now, that’s rare!  Taken together, it is a direct indication that the author is not at all concerned about where this peculiar woman might be physically but is concerned about whether she can be obtained as a result of her value!  Notice also that the writer does not tell us what this woman “looks” like. Her physical semblance is not even mentioned. He doesn’t even mention so much as the color of her eyes. And that’s because the radiant qualities of a virtuous woman are the countenance upon which her beauty is seen and not her physicality.  In other words, it is the inside that stands out. So, the size of her breasts does not matter. The structure of her cheekbones is not taken into consideration. The length of her hair is unimportant. The texture of her hair is inconsequential. The shape of her figure is immaterial. The thickness of her lips is insignificant. Where’s she’s been and what’s she’s done in the past is irrelevant. The child she bore out of wedlock won’t exclude her from being a virtuous woman. Being a victim of rape or incest cannot prevent her from being a virtuous woman.  The dissolution of a past marriage doesn’t preclude her from being a virtuous woman. For it is the PRESENT character of this woman that is being celebrated and praised. Integrity is planted in her heart and great Wisdom flows from her lips. She is grounded in Faith and profound in Knowledge and Understanding of who she is. She is Patient and Kind. She is Gifted and Innovative. She is Creative. She is a Visionary. She is Organized and well Prepared. She is Strong and Diligent in her endeavors. She is altogether Blessed. Interpretably, this woman “got it going on!! Taken together, the real question asked is a rhetorical one.  Translated, it would read: Who is worthy of a remarkable, extraordinary, and highly unique woman? In other words, what man deserves you? What child is favored to have you as a mother? What people are richly blessed to have you as a friend? What employer is privileged to have you as an employee? These are but a few questions that you should meditate on, because for the woman described herein, she truly is VIRTUOUS!!  Scripture of the Day: "Priceless and Rare: The declared value of a virtuous woman." - Proverbs 31