Proverbs 31, part 3 and wrap up

We left off at verse 24:

*The wife of noble character "makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes." This lady is a one woman factory. She obviously doesn't have toddlers. When does she eat and sleep?

*"She is clothed with strength and dignity (I'm picturing the statue of liberty); she can laugh at the days to come." This lady is not worried about the future, she's prepared.

*"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue." I wonder if less perfect people get a little tired of her.

*"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." We get it, she's a busy lady. I know I'm getting tired just reading about this paragon of virtue.

*"Her children arise and call her blessed." When do they ever see her or get to spend time with her? "Her husband also, and he praises her." Of course he does, he doesn't want to lose his meal ticket. See women of the world, this is all you have to do to get your husband to praise you. Earn it.

*"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Not only that, you are a figment of some man's imagination. A woman certainly didn't write this passage.

*"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears Yahweh is to be respected." What does that mean? Is the author saying that a god fearing woman will try to emulate this example of perfection? How does one show that one  fears Yahweh? By working one's self to exhaustion? We are not told that this woman prays or performs any kind of religious rituals.

*"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." What reward has she earned? Not rest. Looks like praise is the reward. Not only praise, but praise at the city gate. Who is at the city gate? All those shiftless men who sitting around just talking religion and politics. Industrious women aren't hanging around the city gate. Who gets to hear and reap the social benefits of the public praise of this woman? Her husband.

I have read this passage sarcastically because I don't think it should be taken seriously. It is one man's description of an ideal wife, who doesn't exist.  Supposedly it has traditionally been read by husbands to their wives at Sabbath meals. What a load of guilt to lay on a woman who might not measure up, as is likely.

We don't know exactly when this was written, or by whom. There is no mention of heaven, hell, angels, demons, satan, divine inspiration, original sin, or a messiah. There is only a passing mention of Yahweh. No where in the bible is there an equal passage about a noble husband. Most women probably wouldn't have been able to read it. Since men were  in charge of  public scripture reading, and were the ones who wrote the scriptures, it's not surprising. The Bible is conspicuously missing a woman's point of view.