ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 FALAITE SIULAI 17, 2026

PALOVEPI 30-31; 1 PITA 3:1-6

We should be quick to be grateful for and give honor to women whose lives picture what it means to fear the Lord.

‘Oku taau ke tau fakalangilangi’i mo fakahounga’i ‘a e si’i kau fefine fita ‘oku nau ‘omi ‘a e ‘ata ‘o e ‘apasia ‘Otuaa.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates. (Prov. 31:30-31)

When you read through the book of Proverbs, it might seem as though it addresses a cast of male characters. But then you get to its final chapter. Proverbs gives special time and attention to the character and accomplishments of an excellent woman, that is, one whose whole life is shaped by her awe of God.

The verses of this portrait of the godly woman follow the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, as though the writer wants to reinforce the wide-ranging nature of her gifts, character, and accomplishments. In so doing, Proverbs 31 speaks to present cultural mistakes when it comes to women. The culture around us often gets womanhood all wrong. If you examine the websites of female social media influencers, the dominant theme is that physical beauty is everything. And, in fact, it is even worse than that. Our culture's definition of physical beauty is not naturally attainable. By today's definition, you can become truly beautiful only with the help of chemical injections and surgery. So many young girls are depressed, and some even suicidal, because they have no way of reaching this beauty standard.

But the church doesn't always get the definition of beauty right either. If there is any place where godly women should receive "praise in the gates," it is in the church. We are to recognize gifted and accomplished women, because we know that God chose them to be examples of what his grace can do. We see the work of the Spirit in women's lives, and we see in them what God's gifts can accomplish. Proverbs 31 argues that in God's economy we need these women, and we should be quick to rise and thank God for their presence and contributions to the health of the community of faith.

I have spent half a century married to a woman who fears the Lord. She has a legacy of accomplishments inside and outside of the home. She is a comforter and mentor to younger women and has been the most consistent spiritual influence in my life. Proverbs reminds us that women like my wife are worthy of our corporate gratitude and public praise. We should always remember that women who fear the Lord are good gifts to the church and to the world.