One thing you probably missed about the Proverbs 31 wife

Some days back, I was reading a commentary on Proverbs 31 and there is this line that struck me. It was a commentary from the Mom’s devotional Bible and titled “I will never be that perfect”. The commentary was on the perfect wife in Proverbs 31, and how we all wish we were her. And the line that stood out is : “By the way, reread verse 15. She had servants. HELLO!!!”

Hello!!!!!!!

Our model virtuous wife had servants oh. In my Cameroonian style….. somebody cannot come and kee themselves. Hehehhehe

Wait, she had a servant? Nope. There’s an “s”, which stands for “plural” in English grammar. 😊

The book of Proverbs doesn’t say how many she had but the “s” would mean she had MORE THAN ONE servant.  

A quick check through the Bible reveals many in time past had servants. Sarah had some, and Hagar war given to her as a maidservant (Gen 16:1). Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, was also sent into her husband’s house with her nurse and maids (Gen 24:49 & Gen 24:61). Rachel also had a maid (Gen 30:3), likewise Leah.

In Luke 8:2-3, there are some women who supported Jesus’ ministry with their “substance”. Given they walked all the time with Jesus, I deduce they wouldn’t have been able to have “substance”, if they didn’t have people working for them and/or helping them back home.  

So what’s my take? As hardworking as the Proverbs 31 wife was, she pulled it all together, also because she had servants. She didn’t do it all alone. She had HELP. You too, if you need, and can, should get HELP.

This is not a free ticket to idleness or laziness. No, the Proverbs 31 wife wasn’t lazy. She was hardworking, and SHE HAD HELP.

Sometimes, the problem comes from within. Admitting one needs help is not a show of weakness. This I say, because some of us womenfolk would never want to seek or get help because we fear we will be perceived as weak and lazy. Well, my dear, most times, you cannot pull it off all by yourself. Get help!

And my dear mister, she may think she’s got it all under control. Observe keenly, and if need be, as it most times is, enable; support her to get help.

Besides internal Kung-fu on the subject, I know quite a number of couples where hell lets loose if the wife requests for extra help. If bashing doesn’t come from her spouse, it comes from maybe friends, family, in-laws and society. Unfortunately, most of the critics don’t put hands to the plough when need arises! 

I’m not saying also that all womenfolk should now go clinging on their spouse’s neck to get a maidservant or house-help. Each according to their reality; each according to how far their hands can stretch.

There is no pride in unnecessary suffering. Work hard, but work smart!

My take is this: if you need to, and can, then you definitely should. Getting help is not/shouldn’t be a TABOO. If the pitch-perfect model Proverbs 31 wife needed/had help, how much more you in this topsy-turvy world of ours today?

Image (c) Lovelytocu/Dreamtime