Proverbs 31 part 1

Proverbs 31:10-16

This last year my roommates and I memorized Proverbs 31 together. My first thoughts before we started were that this chapter was for wives so it wouldn't be very applicable for my stage in life....boy was I wrong! I began memorizing and studying this passage in depth and learned so much from it. Not only is this passage for wives, but for women who want to live in a Godly way, thus preparing them to be God-fearing wives who are humble and willing to serve their families (and not just make her husband a sandwich).....did I just make a woman joke? ha! =)

The passage starts off with King Lemuel's mother speaking to him about looking for a Godly woman who fears the Lord.

Vs. 10: "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
What does it mean to be of noble character? It means to be God-fearing, or a person who recognizes the power of the Lord and obeys out of love and respect. We see from this verse that a woman of noble character is hard to find...looks like not much has changed since this was written. Being a set-apart daughter takes time and effort. If you let the world pull you away from the Lord you are just like them, rather than being a noble daughter who loves and respects the Lord and lives a life that is glorifying to Him. If you are a woman after the God's own heart, you are worth far more than rubies or anything. The things of this wold never compare to the Joy of following the Lord wholeheartedly. You also have to be a gem to find a gem. Women who dress immodestly and flirt with every guy are going to get a guy who does not respect them and will not be a man after God's own heart. But, those who are so caught up in the Lord and treat men with respect in the way they dress and act, will be given a man who respects them and Loves the Lord!

Vs. 11: "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value."
Any relationship must have trust! Even if you are single, are you a person your friends can trust to keep them accountable and to lead them to Christ? Are you faithful to your friends? Like any kind of relationship, a marriage MUST have trust. You must learn to be trustworthy now, or how will your husband ever be able to trust you to be faithful?


Vs. 12: "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."
Bringing her husband good would be things like not being a financial burden and letting him lead her. This is a huge way you can serve your future husband right now! Learn to budget and think through purchases. Here's a practical way to learn to save and be good with money-label a few envelopes with "spending money", "tithe", "save" and whatever else you would like. As soon as you get money, go to those envelopes and divide it up into those envelopes. This has really helped me to learn to budget and use my money carefully-hope this helps someone else! Most importantly, notice the word "all". Obviously you won't spend every day of your life married, so "all" includes your days right now (if you aren't married). If your future husband could see you everyday at every moment, would he be grieved at the way you interact with guys and in the way you dress?


Vs. 13: "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."
A noble wife takes DELIGHT in providing for and serving her family. That can look like eagerly cooking for her family, not complaining when she has to stay home to take care of a sick child, or cleaning with a good attitude since it is a way to serve her family and look after them. If you are not married, that may look like obeying your parents with a good attitude, or diligently working on homework or whatever your task is.


Vs. 14: "She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar."
This is another verse to show how diligent we should be, rather than being lazy. She uses her gifts to enterprise to serve her family, or those around her.


Vs. 15: "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls."
A Proverbs 31 woman does not waste time and she is not lazy. The key is beginning the day well. Just as the Proverbs 31 woman gets up before the day starts, Jesus often got up before the others were awake and went away to spend undivided time with the the Father (Mark 1:35). She provides for those under her humbly. If you are a mother, do you humbly look after your children? If you are single, are you humble when you interact with little kids? If you are a manager at work and have people working under you, do you actively look after those who are under you and treat them with humility and respect?


Vs. 16: "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."
The word "considers" means to put careful thought into. She is not an impulse buyer, but thoughtfully makes purchases that will help, not hurt her family. From her purchase she was able to plant a vineyard, thus showing she uses her money carefully and uses it as a tool to serve. In our culture, money is used for our own pleasure and entertainment, but when you look at the woman of the Lord, she uses her money not for her own pleasure and entertainment, but to serve those around her and uses it thoughtfully.