Comparing Two Women

As many of you know, I have been studying the Proverbs 31 Woman for years. It is my desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman... some days I am closer than others, but I am definitely still a work in progress. Recently a verse concerning another woman caught my attention...

Proverbs 7:11 (NKJV)
She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.

This verse has really stuck with me. I immediately thought this is the me that I struggle against ... Naturally, I am loud and rebellious. However, God has been working on me to be gentle and quiet.

1 Peter 3:4 (NKJV)
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Since it is my desire is to be the Proverbs 31 Woman, and I have some characteristics (loud and rebellious) of the Proverbs 7 Woman, I decided to do a comparison of the two.

Here is the list of what I have found:

Proverbs 7 Woman
Dressed like a harlot
Proverbs 31 Woman
Dressed in fine linen & purple

Proverbs 7 Woman
Had a crafty heart
Proverbs 31 Woman
A woman who fears the Lord

Proverbs 7 Woman
Loud and rebellious
Proverbs 31 Woman
strength and honor

Proverbs 7 Woman
Away from home
Proverbs 31 Woman
Wakes early and stays up late watching over her household

Proverbs 7 Woman
Has peace offerings and pays vows
Proverbs 31 Woman
Extends her hand to the poor, and reaches her hand to the needy

Proverbs 7 Woman
Seeking men (not her husband)
Proverbs 31 Woman
Does her husband good, not evil
The heart of her husband safely trusts her

Proverbs 7 Woman
Colored covering of Egyptian linen
(Egypt represents bondage)
Proverbs 31 Woman
Her household is clothed in scarlet
(scarlet represents salvation)

Proverbs 7 Woman
enticing speech and flattering lips
Proverbs 31 Woman
Opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue

The Proverbs 7 Woman is a Woman living outside of God's plan for her. The Proverbs 31 Woman is living God's plan. As Women, we are designed to be a helpmeet to our husbands. We are to be busy watching over the affairs of our households. When we eat the bread of idleness, and wander from our households, we fall prey to the bondage of sin.

I encourage you to read the account of these two women. In case you missed it, they are found in Proverbs 7 and Proverbs 31.