Proverbs 31:22
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She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
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A great woman knows how to prioritize her goals and use time well to achieve them all. She knows both her home's appearance and her own appearance are high honors to her husband and children, so she makes sure they are included in her daily routine. To ignore or neglect either of one of these is defrauding, slothfulness, irreverence, and/or malicious.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry. This creative woman has elegant decorating ideas of her own and uses them to uniquely beautify her home. She covers walls, furniture, and beds with those decorative and ornamentally embroidered, painted, or woven fabrics called tapestries. She makes sure the bedroom remains an inviting place (7:16), where she honors her husband by emphasizing its enduring importance to her.
Her clothing is silk and purple. She chooses fine material for her garments and selects glorious colors. Consider further Bible descriptions of these features of excellent clothing (7:16; Esth 8:15; Ezek 16:10-13; Luke 16:19; Rev 18:12). There is no doubt the virtuous woman knew how to look, and cook! Here is a glorious rebuke to the dull, drab, and plain look of false modesty used by women too lazy to fulfill their God-given charge.
Virtuous women consider appearance as well as function. They know that functional practicality is not enough to maximize a marriage or a family. They develop, rather than stifle, the attribute of their sex to make things, places, events, and themselves attractive to the eye and senses. They remember they were created for their husbands (I Cor 11:9), so they maintain their own attractiveness and create it for him in their home as well.
The woman is the glory of the man (I Cor 11:7), and she should be glorious for him. She should not say, "I just don't have the time or desire or ability," about something so important to her family. What ugly places homes can become without the beautifying touch of a woman! And money is not the great hindrance, but rather a lack of desire!
The virtuous woman decorates her home and bedroom to keep an elegant and inviting atmosphere. She makes, and takes, the time for exercise, hair, nails, and other bodily improvements. She wisely selects a few fine garments that enhance her appearance, and she makes sober choices of accessories and makeup to finish the picture. Her husband and children rejoice to be seen with her in public (31:28; Gen 12:11; Esther 1:10-11).
Modesty in dress and manner is a law for Christian women (I Tim 2:9-10; I Pet 3:3-4). But modest does not mean dowdy. There is no contradiction between these two passages and our proverb. A harlot dresses and conducts herself to quickly arouse sexual lusts in men (7:9-21); an arrogant and worldly woman puts all the emphasis on appearance (Is 3:16-24). Their clothing reveals, rather than conceals; and it is similar to lingerie in effect. Classy garments and noble conduct by a virtuous woman do not do this.
Condemning dressing well in an effort to be modest is the same as condemning alcohol to avoid drunkenness, condemning bread to avoid gluttony, and rejecting electricity, like the Amish, to avoid worldliness! Such "touch not, taste not, handle not" rules are a Pharisee extreme corrected by Jesus Christ and Paul (Matt 12:7; Col 3:20-23). Men by nature rush to extremes, too much emphasis on appearance or not enough; but this proverb was given by God to describe the precious balance kept by the woman who fears the Lord (31:30).
Virtuous women blessed with beauty were beautiful to look upon (Gen 12:11,14; 24:16; 26:7; 29:17). They did not hide under lampshades or sweat suits. Neither did they neglect their appearance. Virtuous women are attractive to behold, but by modest apparel and noble and pure conduct, they discourage ungodly thoughts. They do not provoke sexual lusts in men, for their clothing is not designed to do so. Rather than wear the cheap and revealing clothes of a whore, they want the sober class of the first lady!
Appearance is not the virtuous woman's first priority in life, for that is the fear of God with the glorious ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (31:30; I Tim 2:9-10; I Pet 3:3-4). But modesty in appearance and an emphasis on spiritual things never intended a homely appearance, when the means are available to honor her husband and glorify her Creator. It is possible for a woman to pay too little, as well as too much, attention to appearance; only a virtuous woman finds the place of holy moderation, separate from both extremes.
Christian woman, you took measures to attract your husband in the first place, and it is deceit and defrauding to do less now. The blessed Creator gave you features and abilities that can easily please him. He is the object of your earthly existence, and you should honor and reward him by keeping an attractive home, bedroom, and personal appearance.
If your marriage is dull, try a tapestry and some silk and purple, before another woman does (7:15-18). The results might surprise and please you! Lord, bless our marriages.
The Lord Jesus Christ bought the church for His own pleasure, and He desires a beautiful bride; so He cleansed her from every spot and wrinkle and will present her to Himself in regal splendor fit for a king (Ps 45:9-14; Is 61:10; Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:8; 21:2)! Glory!
A virtuous woman is preeminently diligent, exceeding selfless, and ultimately practical in serving her husband and children (10-31), but she also appreciates beauty and takes care of her appearance. There is no virtue in being dowdy! It is shameful for a woman to be less than her feminine best! Can a woman do both? She must, to be the virtuous woman!
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