Wise Woman
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Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels.
INTRO— (31.10, 23, 30-31)
The original point to this passage…instructions King Lemuel remembered from his mother. Thus, we begin with the question (; charge, challenge to wind a woman/wife of noble character), end with the statement (; regarding the status of a wise woman, before God and people), and the stated importance of all of this for Lemuel’s life (; having a blessed, God-honoring life involves finding the right woman).
This emphasis doesn’t negate the instructive importance of the description of a wise woman for our ladies here today…and for the men here today to either wake up and step up to being as worthy as possible (if only) or preparing to also be the husband this wonderful woman deserves.
A Wise Woman is...
INDUSTRIOUS (31.13-19, 27)
INDUSTRIOUS (31.13-19, 27)
Well, reading vv. 13-19, I’m worn out! Some ladies might say, I can’t literally do all that. The bottom line is not in the specifics of industrious in that culture and time, but the timeless principle...
Which is clearly & beautifully brought home for us in v. 27--”She…never ‘eats the bread of idleness.’” This phrase is a Hebrew idiom expressing that she is not lazy. Now, guys, before you elbow your wife and say, “Get in the kitchen and make me a sammich.”…let me just say that this call to industriousness is to be matched with our own industriousness as well!
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us.
In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
GENEROUS (31.20, 26)
In the same way a wise woman extends her hands in industry, she also puts the same effort in to generosity—v. 20.
A giving, care-taking attitude is repeatedly encouraged in the Wisdom Lit, especially Proverbs. That’s why a fitting summation to generosity is the proclaiming and instruction of wisdom.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,
CERTAIN (31.21a, 25b)
The characteristic we’ll discuss next establishes the reason for her certainty (assuredness, not afraid)…sufficient for now is that she is not afraid (v. 21a)—even laughing (v. 25b) at the time to come.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
Rom 8
PREPARED (31. 21b, 25a)
So, like I said, this wise woman has good reason to be certain, confident, not afraid, laughing at/about the future…she is prepared. I have no doubt that she fully trusts God with her life and family, AND that she takes seriously the responsibility we have to ‘be prepared’ for life (the seasons and the future)!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ENGAGING (31.22, 24)
She connects with people…whether selling her goods or at special events/times, etc. She has a winsomeness about her.
A gracious woman gains honor, but violent people gain only riches.
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
CONCL— (31.11-12, 28-29)
A woman who desires to be like this…blesses herself (vv. 11-12)…& others (vv.28-29)
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
Proverbs 31.30