Read Proverbs 31
Sayings of King Lemuel
31 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.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
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.
Go Deeper
Today we’ve made it to the last chapter of the Book of Proverbs, the well-known and often quoted Proverbs 31. This chapter of the Bible is well-known for great reason as it includes the description of the wife of noble character (v. 10-31). The chapter is often quoted and referenced in describing what has come to be known as the “Proverbs 31 Woman.”
The first nine verses include a challenge from a mother to her son when she encourages him to defend the rights of the afflicted and to speak up for those who cannot speak for or defend themselves. This is certainly not just appropriate for King Lemuel and those in leadership, but rather for every one of us to speak up for those who need a voice. Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the wife of noble character who is hard to find and priceless and of great value. While the passage describes a godly wife, there’s so much for us all to learn from this chapter. Whether you are male or female, old or young, married or single, student or grandparent, take note of some of the characteristics we can all strive for in life and character.
First, we see how hard she works (i.e., v. 13, 15, 17). Contrast this with the sluggard seen many times in prior chapters of Proverbs. She’s not idle, she rises early, and she stays up late. How are you doing at your work? Whatever season of life you’re in, would others say you work hard?
Second, we see how well she serves those around her. She serves her family (v. 15) and “extends her hands to the needy” (v. 20). When we serve like this woman, we serve like Jesus who did not come to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45).
Third, we see how faithful the woman is in all she does. She plants a vineyard (v.16), planning for the future. Bad weather doesn’t hold her or her family back because she’s faithfully planned ahead (v. 21). In doing this, she’s like our Lord who, even when we’re faithless, is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).
Last, and we could say much more about her, she fears the Lord. We see repeatedly in the book of Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. She is extraordinarily wise in every way. Again, every one of us has much we can learn from this wife of noble character.
Questions
- How do you do at speaking out for those who have no voice or cannot defend themselves (v. 8-9)?
- What’s one way you can grow as you follow Jesus—working harder, serving others, faithfulness, or your fear of the Lord?
- Who is someone you know who exemplifies what the wife of noble character looks like? Send them a text and encourage them for their faithfulness.
Watch This!
JP preached a sermon at The Porch at Watermark Community Church on Proverbs 31 called “Six Qualities to Look For In a Wife”. Whether you’re male or female, single or married, check out this great sermon to learn more about Proverbs 31.
5 responses to “Proverbs 31”
Mrs. 31
I do not live up to her. She is an amazing woman but I am not there. BUT GOD has shown me how to learn from His Word. So with that in mind this, I agree, is a chapter from which to glean more wisdom or right living for all, men and women alike.
We, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are to strive for excellence and do so with diligence. The Word of God is about purpose due to our imperfection. What is your driving force and what is fulfilling your life? What are you pursuing? Where are your priorities?
Priorities= Loving God, seeking Him constantly (minutely), reading His Word, trying to endeavor to do what His Word instructs. I personally have to remember BUT GOD being rich in mercy and grace to me so that I can see others through His eyes.
Fear of Man vs. Trust in God (Proverbs 29:25) This is also a priority due to men/women being human. They/we all will fail. BUT GOD!!!
Thank You God for helping me to prioritize You in all areas and aspects of my life. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light for my path. God I am blessed beyond all I can ask or think. Thank You for this bitter root that has entwined itself into my life recently, that You are the root killer. Thank You for wisdom in how to overcome, while keeping a firm, solid, grip on You. The evil one is pushing so hard. I know that I know that You are have me, deep in my knower. It is still such a struggle to keep my head above water, when I feel “man” pulling me under. Somedays I want to go back in time to the before. My joy is not as bubbly. BUT YOU GOD are what I need to focus on, my priority. I am not here to glorify man but to Love You God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and my neighbor as myself. So this is what I am going to concentrate on every minute of every day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!
Thank you Proverbs 31 women who share their thoughts on these readings each day. Praise God.
This is such a powerful chapter! So challenging yet encouraging to women, but also to men.
I’ve often wondered why there isn’t a companion chapter about the “Proverbs 32 Man”!
It’s been intriguing to read the book of Proverbs again. So many verses were devoted to warnings of women to flee from or avoid at all cost, but the closing chapter illuminated the model woman. (Since most of the content of Proverbs was authored by King Solomon who was reported in 1 Kings 11:3 to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines who led him astray, maybe this is a fitting closing to the book of wisdom.)
In my current stage of life and because Jesus is more precious day by day, this verse resonated with me,
“She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come” (v25).
Our study today asks, “How do you do at speaking out for those who have no voice or cannot defend themselves (v. 8-9)?”
This was a question that practically brought me out of my chair. Because there are few things I’m more passionate about than advocacy — speaking up for those who go unheard. As someone who essentially serves as a full-time (if unpaid!) advocate, some days it seems that’s all I do.
Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned in my years as an advocate:
• Advocacy is about people. Behind every issue are real people whose lives, opportunities and futures are impacted by the decisions of others.
• Advocacy involves both words and actions. More than just “speaking up,” advocacy also means doing the work to turn concern into something tangible.
• Advocacy takes persistence. It requires showing up and speaking up… as often as it takes… as long as it takes.
• Advocacy is a form of stewardship. Advocacy means using our unique voice, access, position and influence on behalf of others.
But here’s the most important thing I’ve learned about advocacy, as underscored by the verses in Proverbs 31:
Advocacy is Biblical.
Which confirms it’s not just a profession for a particular few (paid or otherwise).
It’s a calling to every Christ-follower who refuses to sit back and keep silent when people and principles are overlooked.