" Chayil"

Lesson 1: Clothed in Strength and Dignity

The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a real woman.

You have probably always heard it translated as the "virtuous woman."

But it means so much more.

The Amplified Bible gets a bit closer to the heart of the matter by describing her as a "capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman" (Proverb 31:10 AMP).

That sounds better, but, it is still not quite what God has in mind for the woman He has destined you to become.

The Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary explains that the term "chayil" was used to describe great forces and armies. A woman said to be "chayil" would possess a certain strength, might, and power!

If you were a man going out to fight the good fight of faith, doesn’t that sound like someone you would want fighting on your side?

The Proverb 31 Woman is no wimp. She is a woman of great strength!

Living in the 21st century, we can sometimes get a skewed idea of what a strong woman is.

Is she the woman who always speaks her mind and doesn't need anyone's help?

The one who runs her household and is convinced that, if she lets her husband do it, he would just mess everything up?

Or is she the corporate tycoon who only has one child because she refuses to be distracted from her career?

Proverb 31 reveals what your Heavenly Father considers to be true strength.

As He describes this woman, He says that:

Strength and dignity are her clothing
and her position is strong and secure...
- Proverb 31:25 (AMP

Wouldn't you love for your Heavenly Father to say that about you. That is what we all want, right?

But, we are not fighting against flesh and blood in this life. So the strength that you will need to accomplish God's will is not carnal (Ephesians 6:12).

Being able to work 60+ hours and still make time to keep the house clean and cook dinner is not where your true strength and value lies.

Jesus taught this same truth to Martha over two thousand years ago. But it is just as true today.

...a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distractedby the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

The woman God describes in Proverb 31 understands this.

She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness 

- Proverbs 31:17 (AMP)

for her God-given task]...

How much time do you spend girding yourself spiritually for the daily tasks that God gives you? Time sitting at His feet, just like Mary did.

Sometimes, it's easy to be so busy running around doing things for God, that you forget all He really wants is your heart.

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