Wise Up: Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31 (NIV)
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
This speaks to the many women who obviously are walking with Jesus. They are a true example to the rest of us particularly we men who many times just don’t get it. I believe the second part of this verse speaks to all of us speaking about the person who fears the Lord. I pray that my life will represent this today as I go about living my life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. Vs13
This woman is intentional and diligent in managing her home because she is devoted to her family and rises to meet their needs with excellence. What a humbling reminder to me as a stay-at-home mom to seek to serve my family well and with great intentionality. It’s easy to get discouraged in this work since the culture places little value on it, but clearly God places high value on the home and family unit. I’m so thankful for His Word.
This chapter talks about the the characteristics of a nobel wife during Solomon’s time. A wife’s duties and responsibilities may have changed today but the core values described here deserve to be honored by her husband and others. A wife that fears the lord is to be treasured and praised! I pray to God that I can treat my wife with the respect and honor she deserves every day.