by Marie Devine

Created on: May 01, 2008

Virtuous women are trying to be all that God wants them to be. The world is a confusing place with so many options and opinions tugging at us, blaring at us on television and radio. The images give us goals and ambitions of what we can become in our modern world. How do the virtuous women fit in?

According to the dictionary, virtuous means, "conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent." If we do not know God's moral standard and ethical principles, we are only deceiving ourselves to think we are virtuous.

The Bible says the women shall be keepers at home. That may not sound very fulfilling; but God's purpose in the women being at home is to hold the family and community together. It is easier in our modern days to see the result of women being outside the home. New relationships develop separating families. There is no time for discipline. The people the children are with have no authority to discipline. The children do not build a bond with their parents. The children are not with the parents being taught how to honor their parents, authorities and neighbors. There is no teaching or understanding of morality, modesty, chastity, honesty or helpfulness. We have become a selfish, covetous generation going after riches and honor instead of the things of God. This is not sounding very virtuous is it? It is easy to be deceived when there is no standard to go by.

Ruth was a wonderful example of a virtuous woman and when we think of her as a standard, we can see how much further we can develop. She had other options; being a widow, she could have married again and had someone love and care for her. She could have been with all the friends she met while she was in Moab with her husband. She gave up her life to help Naomi; and isn't that what we are all called to do, sacrifice our possibilities for the benefit of others?

Ruth could have stayed around the house just helping Naomi there, but she gave of herself more by putting herself out like a servant or a slave to bring security to the household. She further obeyed the words of the woman older than her. She could have had a less than submissive attitude and still have been within her rights. She gave all that she was over to God's guidance through Naomi.

This is a virtuous woman, a glorious standard for us all. How was she rewarded? All she gave up was multiplied back to her with honor and abundance. She reminds us of Moses' mother, who trusted her baby to God by putting him in the basket in the river. The baby was saved and she got paid to nurse her own son and he brought God's salvation to her people. God multiplies what we give him. God has given us.wonderful examples to help us become truly and fully virtuous women.

A godly woman drinks in the guidance of God to bow before it in humble adoration. She yields to His command and lets it continue to mold her to be the loving submissive wife that loves her husband and lets her husband guide her. God is not the author of confusion; there is more efficiency and effectiveness in letting the man lead as God directs. That does not mean the woman cannot offer any insight she may have. This is her way of honoring what God is doing in her husband and builds him up to seek the best decision because no one wants to be wrong. There is a building of confidence in God and patience for the godly woman. It will be wonderful to feel the love flow from us as it did from Ruth; and God will pour it back to us multiplied with honor. Then we will know we have pleased God and have followed all God's guidance for virtuous women.

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