The Virtuous Wife (verse 20)

Proverbs 31:20 NKJV

She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She sees and helps not just those in her own household but also those who are outside of her household. 

The Virtuous Wife (verse 19)

Proverbs 31:19 NKJV

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle. 

The distaff and the spindle are both related to the spinning of flax or wool, into yarn. This is the physical meaning. 

But, yet again, I find another meaning, which is directly linked to the female.

The word, distaff, was/is also used to refer to the female side of the family. 

There are distaff races, in which all female horses race.

 

The Virtuous Wife (verse 18)

Proverbs 31:18 (NKJV)

She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.

She deems that her merchandise is of good quality. 

Her lamp does not going out by night. Again, this could be literal. She works through the night to produce her good quality merchandise.

There may be another thought here. In Matthew 25:1-10. 

What keeps a lamp burning, is the oil. 

She is prepared. 

She has enough oil to keep her lamp burning through the night, so that she can be completely ready for when it's time to go.

The Virtuous Wife (verse 17)

Proverbs 31:17 NKJV

She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.

Gird: secure (a garment or sword) on the body with a belt or band, and, surround; encircle. (Google).

Strengthening her arms could of course be literal, for heavy work and/or a heavy workload. 

But it is interesting that this verse is in between two verses about her business ventures. Strengthens her arms, may refer to different arms of her businesses.   

The Virtuous Wife (verse 16)

Proverbs 31:16

She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.

Consider: think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision. (Google).

She doesn't make rash decisions.

She does not squander her profit. Rather she secures something that is of benefit to her household.

The Virtuous Wife (Verse 15)

Proverbs 31:15

She also rises while it is yet night, 
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.

This wife does not slumber if there is a need to rise while it is still dark and prepare food for those in her household.  

She sees it as ennobling. 

A Well Laid Track

Before a train can move, a track has to be laid. 

The track has to be strong, sturdy, and immovable.

We focus on the train, 

but the track is equally important.

Have you laid your track?

Philippians 4:8-9, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Peter 5:9, 2 Peter 1:5-8.