Proverbs 31 (Week 2)

VIRTUOUS, NOBLE WIFE

As I continue to study Proverbs 31, I am thinking more and more about excellent speech that glories God. I want my words like King Lemuel's mother to sink deep down into my son's heart and bring life. I want them to sink down into my heart and show Jesus to a others who do not know Him. I don't want my words to just be instructions or routine words. I need God's inspired word to bring life. As I read today's scripture Proverbs 31:10, I was reminded that the fear of the Lord brings wisdom. As I respect and I am in awe of Jesus, I want to do what His Word says. In the past as I studied wisdom, I was struck by Proverb 14:1 about a wise woman builds her home but a foolish woman tears down her house with her own hands. In the application section of today's verse I address this question I had to God "How do I build and not tear down?"

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10

Amplified Version: ¹⁰ A capable, intelligent, and ^[b]virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Observation(s):

1.      God made us to be capable to the tasks he sets before us

2.      God gave us intelligence and wisdom to do what he wants us to do as a wife.

3.      God gives us the virtues of Himself to bring Him Glory in our marriage.

4.      God calls us virtuous women more precious than jewels and thus we will be to our husbands as well. 

5.      God values us and we are to be valued more than rubies (or pearls

Application(s)

Today as I read Proverbs 31:10, I was reminded that a wise woman builds her house but a foolish woman tears it down.  Proverbs 14:1 says that a wise woman builds her home but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Likewise, Proverbs 9:1 says "wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out the seven pillars." I have been asking God "How does a wise woman build her house rather than tear it down?" I once came across something about the seven pillars that I have continued to think about. This study reminds me of the seven pillars as they apply to noble, virtuous character.

The seven qualities mentioned were what were found in the Beatitude (which I always like they are attitudes we are to be) and wisdom which is from above found in James (rather than demonic wisdom).

Matthew 5:3-10

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Qualities in the Beatitudes/Sermon on the Mount are:
1. Pure in Heart
2. Peacemakers
3. Meek
4. Poor in Spirit
5. Merciful
6. Hunger and thirst for righteousness
7. Mourn

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom - James 3:13-18

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The Qualities in James 3:13-18 are:
1. Pure
2. Peaceable
3. Gentle
4. Willing to yield
5. Full of mercy and good fruits (good fruits could also go with 6 to correspond to above Sermon on the Mount)
6. Without partiality
7. Without hypocrisy

The definition of noble is possessing outstanding qualities and I believe the above seven are within that definition. Also virtuous can also mean righteous . God has been showing me in His word how to build a home that lasts. It is a home built on His wisdom and not my own reasoning or demonic wisdom which is from below.


Scripture: Proverbs 12:1A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Observation: Proverbs 31:10 mentioned jewels and rubies and this scripture mentions crown. Both are symbols of royalty.

Application: to bring life and richness to husband rather than decay. God has been showing me how to defer to my husband to make him shine rather than take center stage.

Prayer: Lord, I pray I glorify you as I go about many ordinary tasks in my home. May I do everything as onto you. May I do it all with praise and thanksgiving. Make me a crown for my husband to wear. Thank you Jesus for giving me a new heart to know your word and to have power to obey. I pray my home is not a place of bitter envy or self seeking which is demonic wisdom. May I with your power and strength hew out the seven pillars of your wisdom as I stand in awe of you.

Proverbs 31 - Week 1

I have decided to do my first online Bible study with women I do not know. For many years, I did study after study at my church or in my home. My husband I because Small Group leaders and led groups for a few years. I did studies with friends and my Mom and Sister. Since having my son, I have been reconsidering what God wants me to do. In the last two years, I have done most studies alone and occasionally talk with my Mom or husband about what God is doing in my life.

I first became aware of the online Bible studies when the group was doing Mission of Motherhood which I wanted to do but it was almost over. I do have the book and it is wonderful. Proverbs 31 really stood out to me as my husband and I are raising our son for the Lord. We have prayed for his wife since he was born. We want to teach him and I want to model for him what a wife from the Lord looks like.

I have included the first week's scriptures and my brief observations, applications and prayer from our SOAP method of Bible study.

Goals for this Study:
1.to not just know Proverbs 31 but for God to make me more like Proverbs 31 woman
2.To model Proverbs 31 for my son so he knows what to look for in a wife
3.To pass down a heritage to son
4.To bless my husband daily
5.I have struggled at times in relationships because I end up taking care of people and become more like a mentor and counselor rather than just a friend. I would like someone to just fellowship with and share prayers, laughs, thoughts.
6. To stay on a house management schedule (stay organized) so that I am focusing on Jesus and what the Holy Spirit is guiding me to do in each moment with my son and for others rather than focusing on what I need to get done because things are disorganized. I want to use time wisely for God's glory.

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-2

The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! (son of my vows)

Observation:

1.      What King Lemuel’s mother spoke was INSPIRED

2.      Mother’s name not mentioned (nameless here)

3.      Told son to listen three times (this is important)

4.      Son from body and also son from prayers and vows of marriage and to God

Application:

1.      The words I speak should be prayed about first and directed by God

2.      Words are to bring life

Prayer:

Father, thank you that you provide all we need. You are the great Shepherd. I pray that the meditations of my heart and the words I speak would bring you glory. Father, may I have wisdom when I speak to my son. May my words be inspired by you and passed onto Nehemiah.

Scripture: Proverbs 31:3-4
³ Do not spend your strength^[a] 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,

Observation(s):

1.      Strength and vigor  are not to be given away recklessly

2.      Reminds me of Samson whom God gave extra strength to for a purpose – defeat Philistines and then Samson falls in love and tells the secret of his strength (which was in his hair). He was captured by the enemies. (God’s story doesn’t end there though. Samson prays for strength again at the end and God grants it. Samson brings down the whole building on His enemies)

3.      It says women not woman

Application:

1.      Use discernment in how you use strength and vigor

2.      Model for son that God made him first for Himself and then one day for one woman, His wife

3.      Share with son to crave God not women or drink

Prayer:

Jesus, Thank you that you give us power to obey you. We don’t have strength in ourselves but you strengthen us. May we not crave anyone or anything but you. Lord, I pray that you would teach me and guide me to be the wife and mother you want me to be. May I model and pass down to my son a legacy of relying on you as my strength.  Thank you that you are molding my young son into a Godly seed after your own heart. May he never give his strength to women. Save him for one precious lady. May he lead by your real love and not just emotions. We pray for wisdom, discernment and understanding as he grows and chooses a wife. Thank you that you direct our steps.

Scripture: Proverbs 31:5-6
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!

Observation(s)

1.      Drinking can make you forget and then deprive others of things

2.      Beer and wine’s purpose here is for those dying and in anguish

 ****Didn't have much to write for this one but praying my son will stay away from drink, beer and wine.****

Scripture: Proverbs 31:7-9
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.

Observation(s):

1.      Alcohol has specific purposes – forget poverty and misery among others

2.      We are to judge fairly when we speak up (speak up, judge, defend)

Application(s):

1.      We are to have a voice who can’t speak for themselves  (sometimes deaf, children, people with no voice, ill, among many others)

2.      We are to speak up for the destitute, poor and needy( I think this includes physical poor but also spiritual poor)

Prayer:

     I pray you use my all for you and for people who are oppressed. May you lead me to those who don't know you. May I have my sandals of peace on always and carry your good news to those poor in spirit.