Today is International Woman’s Day – a fitting day to consider how the book of Proverbs exalts and praises women, well, actually a certain kind of woman. Chapters 7 and 8 of Proverbs are an examination of two different women – The Wily Woman and Woman Wisdom. This is what your English teacher would call a juxtaposition. I encourage you to read those chapters closely and then, by examining these two ladies at once, we see certain similarities between them and also certain differences.
First, consider the similarities between these women. Both women stand at the street corners and in the marketplaces, making their presence known (7:12; 8:2-3). And both women are making their appeal to the same type of person – young, simple, and inexperienced men (7:7-8; 8:4-5). Both are advertisers – one is promoting care-free, sensual indulgence and the other promotes righteousness and the fear of God. And both women are loud (7:11; 8:1, 4).
The lies of demons ring out boldly in our society today, and meanwhile the truth of Christ booms on as well. Today, women around the world are striking, protesting and going public – much like these women in Proverbs who are vocal and active too. But active for what aim? Public for what point? It will become clear that the goals of these two women are completely opposed and on a day like today we would be wise to examine their message.
Next, consider the differences between these women. The Wily Woman is a literal prostitute – married but refusing to stay at home in the night (7:10-11). She comes to meet you with the purpose of persuading you into forbidden pleasure; and she is a manipulator, suggesting that if you fall for her there will be no consequences; but, of course, she is only working her angle (7:14-20). Woman Wisdom, however, is no physical woman – she is timeless, eternal and indeed, she is even Christ-like – she has always been with God even from the beginning (8:22-31). Her ways are true, noble, and righteous (8:20). Where the Wily Woman lies in wait like a predator – and indeed her victims are like hunted animals – Woman Wisdom waits to bless you and give to you; those who follow her turn into kings (8:15-16).
So, both of these women invite you to fall in love with them – both are looking for a relationship. But if you fall in love with the Wily Woman – as the masses do, with her cheap sexual thrills – the outcome is a tragic death (7:26-27). Fall in love with Woman Wisdom, however, and the outcome is life but also a whole lot more – wealth, joy, and wise decision-making (8:18-21).
Pursue wisdom and you get everything else thrown in – wealth, pleasure, honor. Pursue any one of those things apart from this Woman Wisdom, and they unravel in your hands, bringing about your ultimate demise.
Men, particularly young men, are meant to read these chapters and ask themselves, “which woman do I want to fall in love with?”
Women, particularly young women, are meant to read this and ask, “which woman do I want to become?”
And when young ladies seek to become like that woman – Woman Wisdom – they start to turn into the woman of Proverbs 31. And that woman is a queen. She is a woman who is worthy of praise and honor – a woman worthy of an International Women’s Day.
What characteristics are seen in that woman from Proverbs 31?
- She is trustworthy and generous, especially to her family, who she has ensured are well-clothed and well-fed. But her work extends beyond her foundational concern for her family and is also a blessing to the poor (31:20).
- She is efficient in managing her affairs and the affairs of her house (15). She works hard and is not too high-minded to do work with her hands – and they are strong (13, 17, 19, 25).
- She has business-smarts; she is shrewd and makes wise investments and even buys businesses and hires employees (16). She knows how to make both purchases and sales (24).
- She is wise and she looks to the future with courage – she is not afraid of changing seasons (21, 25). Her life brings honour, dignity, and praise, which overflows to both her husband and her family (23).
Those qualities are worth getting excited about, and vocal about. I can think of many women in my life who fit this description amazingly. I am reminded of my mother who often made us clothes as kids – and made them from scratch. I am reminded of a woman I used to work for who employed me out of her home – she was a genuine, old-school pioneer – a retired school teacher and the last of what is in many ways a dying breed of social and cultural builders – and she understood management and business and the practicalities of running what was really a small estate. I think of many of my different grandmas – always putting fine clothes on our backs and fine food on the table. I think of my wife and her incredible capacity not only as a competent and sharp health professional but also in our family she serves as a financial adviser, social planner, house manager, and child-development specialist. Many read about the woman of Proverbs 31 and think of her life as an impossible standard – I look at her and see many women in my life who all are prime examples of her dignity, her courage, her productivity, her generosity, her wisdom, and her love.
Young women need to grow up to be like her.
Young men need to grow up to be wise enough to identify her, fall in love with her, and then enable and encourage her.
And all of this growing up is only possible as we grow up into Christ, the fountain of wisdom, and who is indeed Wisdom Himself – the glorious figure who stands behind this metaphorical woman.
Another Marksism 