Virtuous Woman

By Clifford Chaukura

What constitutes a virtuous woman: How does one find virtue and over what period of time? This book contains insightful chapters emphasising this attribute of virtue which every woman should seek more than anything else in life. While there are many books on the market with countless suggestions on how to be a virtuous person, this book stands apart in showing proven pathways of virtue which many successful women trod through without any regrets. It is my hope that those who go through the pages of this book with a heart filled with earnest zeal to be a virtuous woman will definitely receive rich rewards in that regard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Dec 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504996020

Clifford Chaukura

Clifford Chaukura is a prolific writer and trained theologian who has a master’s degree in leadership. He has vast training in human resources management. Chaukura has spoken in many countries and forums on motivation, leadership, and various theological concepts. He has authored the following titles, which are currently selling on the market, The Pastor of the Universe, Nyasha Dzakandiwana (Marvellous Grace), and The Widow and Single Parent’s Kit.

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© 2015 Clifford Chaukura. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/02/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9601-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9602-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.   What is Virtue

Chapter 2.   Endowed With Great Influence

Chapter 3.   All Things Work Together for Women Who Love The Lord

Chapter 4.   The Illustrous Women of Influence in the Bible

Chapter 5.   Women Involvement in the Making Up of a Denomination

Chapter 6.   As a Virtuous Mother

Chapter 7.   Virtue in Parenting

Chapter 8.   Virtue Under Test

Chapter 9.   Health and Virtue

Dedication

This valuable book is dedicated to all the women who thrive to lead a virtuous lifestyle despite all the odds that may beset them. It is also dedicated to my wife, Wadzanayi who always gives me unfailing support in all my endeavours and to my mother, Emma who groomed me for higher success levels in life.

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank the Lord Jehovah for being my everything, my all-in-all. Let me also appreciate the various contributions made by family members and fellow authors who critically analysed this book and gave me valuable insights.

Of interest is the great contribution made by Dr. Jonathan Musvosvi in my preparatory stages of the manuscript. His helping hints were like helping hands in this literature work.

Chapter One

What is Virtue

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, virtue is behaviour showing high moral standards or a good useful quality. The Noah Webster’s Dictionary (1828), has the following suggested definitions on the same:

- Virtue comes from virtus, from vireo. The radical sense is strength, from straining, stretching and extending.

- Moral goodness, the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law.

The apostle Peter then goes on to educate the church on the same attribute when he says, God has called his people to glory and virtue, and these will be manifest in the lives of all who are truly connected with Him. Having become partakers of the heavenly gift, they are to go on unto perfection being kept by the power of God through faith" (1 Pet 1:5).

It is the glory of God to give His virtue to His children. He desires to see men and women reaching the highest standard; and when by faith they lay hold of the power of Christ, when they plead his unfailing promises, and claim them as their own, when with an opportunity that will not be denied they seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be made complete in Him (P.C.P., 57).

This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast send (John 17:3).

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me ….(Jer. 9:23, 24).

THE PROVERBS 31 MODEL

A Wife of Virtue

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doeth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; ye she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously but thou excelleth them all.

Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:10-31).

According to King Solomon, a woman of virtue would very closely resemble that described in the thirty first chapter of Proverbs. The same woman is expected among other things to fulfil the following:

✓ She is precious and worth finding (Prov 31:10; 8:35).

✓ Her worth is above that of rubies (Prov 31:10; 8:10-19).

✓ Bring good only and not any harm all the days of her life- This implies that there is not even one excuse for behaving like an evil-doer/ agent of evil. Paul also admonishes us to do the same in many of his epistles. (Proverbs 31:12).

✓ Works with eager hands – industry is the law of heaven which God brought down to us when He instructed Adam to work in Eden and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). The virtuous woman is encouraged to emulate the methods of the ant as Solomon admonishes all of us to go and learn from the methods displayed by the ant. Definitely there is no excuse for being a sluggard, worse off if you are a wife and mother (31:13-14).

✓ She provides food (Prov 31:14; 8:19).

✓ Wakes up very early to prepare for the day and is business – minded (31:15-16).

✓ She is physically fit. Health concerns are very much considered here (Prov 31:17, 25; 8:14).

✓ She is wise (Prov 31:26, 8:1).

✓ She is praised (Prov 31:28; 8:34).

She Cares

Jacques Doukhan has the following insights found in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Study Guide, Lesson 13 (First Quarter of year 2015).

A virtuous woman is known for her wisdom and kindness, two related attributes. After all, could not one argue that kindness is another form of wisdom especially when we understand that wisdom is not just what we know but what we say and do? Notice too, the phrase, the law of kindness That is, kindness is not just some fleeting attribute that