Advice From a King’s Mother

A. Good morning again and welcome on this Mother’s Day. We’re going to hear from a King’s mother today. In this portion of we see a mother expressing concern for her son’s future.

Proverbs 31:10–31 NKJV

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

1. She advises him about one of life’s most important decisions.

a. She is concerned about his choice of a wife.

b. It is the second-most important choice in life.

2. She describes the kind of wife she wants him to choose.

B. This mother’s advice is true and priceless.

1. It covers a plan, a price, a person, and a payoff.

2. What does this advice have to do with you and me.

The Plan is God’s (v. 10)

1. The king’s mother acknowledges God’s plan for families.

Proverbs 31:10 NKJV

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

a. She knows it will be natural for her son to seek a wife.

b. This reveals her understanding of God’s plan for creation.

2. The only imperfect thing in God’s creation had to be fixed.

a. All creation was pronounced good except Adam’s being alone.

Genesis 2:18 NKJV

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

b. Eve was created from Adam’s rib to be his wife.

(1) She was created not from his head to be over him, nor from his foot to be under him.

(2) She was created from his side to be next to him; near his heart to be loved by him.

The Price is Inestimable (v. 10)

Proverbs 31:10 NKJV

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

1. This woman is of more value than rubies.

2. Who can value the worth of a good woman?

a. Consider her love, her faithfulness, her labor.

b. Consider her contribution as a homemaker, a mother.

3. What great contributions mothers have made!

a. “All that I am I owe to my mother” (D. L. Moody)

b. Lincoln’d mother taught him honesty and obedience.

c. “Give others the sunshine; give Jesus the rest” (John Wesley’s mother)

The Person is Irreplaceable (vv. 11-27)

Proverbs 31:11–27 NKJV

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

1. The character and integrity of this woman are without stain.

a. She is faithful, dependable, compassionate, and loyal.

b. She keeps her home well; she keeps building up her husband.

2. This woman cares for her children and builds her husband’s reputation.

The Payoff is Eternal (vv. 28-31)

Proverbs 31:28–31 NKJV

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

1. Her children rise up and call her blessed.

2. Her husband praises her.

3. Eternal rewards await her.

Conclusion

How has your life been affected by your mother?

Are you living proof of the Power of her Faith?