Proverbs 31
It's a well-known portion of scripture.
It's become some sort of a life goal for many -
"Proverbs 31 wife"
"Proverbs 31 woman"
It's good, but . . .
I fear sometimes we overemphasize portions of it and neglect the meaning of the description as a whole.
I fear sometimes we stop with Proverbs 31 alone and forget the instruction and encouragement offered throughout scripture.
I fear sometimes we epitomize a false profile.
Proverbs 31: 10-31 describes a wife who really has it all together:
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.
It describes her work, her efforts.
We hear of virtues and commitment that are commendable, even described in perfection.
But, I think the emphasis - and instruction - intended in this description actually lie in verse 30.
a woman who fears the Lord...
The book of proverbs is a book of wisdom and advice.
We are to seek wisdom and avoid foolishness.
This last
chapter culminates on the intro to Proverbs. Chapter 1, verses 1 -7 explain
the purpose of the book - instruction/advice for living, grounded in
fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
This woman described at the end of Proverbs fears the Lord.
Her attributes and accomplishments are meant to depict the fruit of a reliance on God.
When we let God be God -
we listen; we follow; we serve; we are obedient.
We are not self-seeking or prideful.
We seek peace, not conflict.
We give more than receive.
We rest rather than worry.
Proverbs 31 depicts virtues that are grounded and fruitful because of her fear for the Lord.
We have to be careful when the actions become the focus. Even serving Him cannot rise above knowing Him.
I want to expound on Proverbs 31 with Jesus' words in Luke 10.
There is good in the work, but Jesus speaks of something "better"
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 38-42
Abiding brings the real fruit - the Kingdom fruit.
Nothing we do is done in our own strength and abilities or for our own purpose.
The woman in Proverbs was "praised", BUT praise is not the goal.
We need to beware of the motivation our culture has extracted.
If the productivity of my life is to serve my purpose and point to me, than I have lost the fear.
Fearing the Lord puts Him first.
Sometimes it makes me anxious to sit like Mary.
There are times when I want a product to show for my efforts.
I want to produce fruit, and I'm so anxious to see the fruit that I do it alone.
God says come in closer,
sit
listen
and the fruit will be so much better.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If
you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and
withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8
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