31 Days of Wisdom: Proverbs 31

Please visit the link below if you would like to read through Proverbs 31 before continuing.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PRoverbs%2031&version=NIV

Disclaimer: This is a personal journey of discovery for me. I am not claiming any special wisdom or exposition of my own, only sharing how 31 days of wisdom affect me and stir my spirit. I highly suggest, no matter who is speaking or sharing, that you check their words against the words of Scripture.

Proverbs 31

This proverb is the collected sayings of King Lemuel as taught to him by his mother. (v1)

“Listen!” It’s repeated again and again in Proverbs. Listen. Be wise. He instruction. (v2)

Women are trouble, especially wicked and contentious women; they bring kings to ruin. (v3)

Alcohol should be avoided by the wise; it affects behavior and alters memory. (v4-7)

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (v8-9)

The last portion of this chapter of Proverbs talks about the virtuous woman, the wife of noble character. The woman described here is surely an ideal to which we should strive.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” She is rare and valuable and beautiful. (v10)

Her husband has confidence in her. She makes him proud. She blesses him and brings good things to his life. (v11-12)

She is industrious and works hard with her hands. (v13)

She does what she has to, goes to any lengths, to feed her family. (v14)

She is the first to rise and the last to bed; she makes all of the preparations to take care of her family. (v15)

She is a shrewd businesswoman; a good investor. (v16)

She works hard and intensely; she is strong enough for her work. (v17)

She makes sure that her business succeeds and she has what she needs. (v18)

She is skilled at her work. (v19)

She takes care of the poor and is kind to the needy. (v20)

She is prepared for the snow, so when it comes, she is not worried. (v21)

She makes her own clothes and linens. (v22)

Her husband is respected in the community. (v23)

She sells her wares for a profit; she scouts out business. (v24)

She is strong, full of dignity and she is prepared for the future. (v25)

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (v26)

She is watchful and not lazy; she takes care of her household. (v27)

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (v28-31)

I’m a little tired just reading how industrious, efficient, and hard-working this woman is. It’s surely an ideal, but one that is worth reaching toward. It’s interesting to think about how much like a modern woman she is. She works hard. She takes care of her family and also runs a business. She is a shrewd investor and a wife and mother who is deserving of praise. I wonder when she sleeps.

Dear Father of Wisdom,
Help me a wife who brings honor to my husband. Help me be diligent and disciplined. Help me be a mother who raises wise children. Help me be like the wife of noble character and bring You glory. Amen.

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