A Noble Woman

Haddon Robinson states this: Since 1955 knowledge has doubled every five years; libraries groan with the weight of new books. .. .In fact, our generation possesses more data about the universe and human personality than all previous generations put together. High school graduates today have been exposed to more information about the world than Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza or Benjamin Franklin. In terms of facts alone, neither Moses nor Paul could pass a college entrance exam today. Yet by everyone's standards, even with all our knowledge bumper crop of brilliant failures. ... Men and Women educated to earn a living often don't know anything about handling life itself. Alumni from noted universities have mastered information about a narrow slice of life but couldn't make it out of the first grade when it comes to living successfully with family and friends. Let's face it. Knowledge is not enough to meet life's problems. We need wisdom, the ability to handle life with skill.

The British poet T.S. Eliot ask this: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”

There is an ever growing need for wisdom in our day and age and it does not come from more learning or information… Wisdom is routed in the very character of God, it is passed on with care and devotion from one to another as one is nurtured in the very truths of God’s Word.

As we approach our passage today and our focus on mothers the mothers intricate and vital role of passing this wisdom on, I find myself agreeing with the words of the poet William Ross Wallace in his famous poem: One of the stanzas reads…

“Woman, how divine your mission, here upon this sod! Keep, oh, keep the young heart open always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages are from mother-love impearld; For the hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world.

Understanding this is a day comes with varied emotions with it!

Some could have no children

Some never knew their mother

Some have had their mother pass from this life

While others have had a strained relationship with their mother

Others are surrounded by their children

Some have already reached out to send their love

Regardless… scriptures place a high priority on the role of motherhood, and today we will look at that role through the lens of Proverbs 31 we will see truths and principles that any one of us can and should apply to our life regardless of age, gender, or race.

I have asked that Krista come back up to read for us the first 9 verses. These were words recalled by a king spoken by his mother...

Read Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 NASB95

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Oracles From a Mother

Share part of (What is a mother poem)

A look at a mother’s teaching and it’s importance… ORACLE: (a person giving wise or authoritative opinions)

“O what” there is question in the heart of what should I tell you… she entreaties him with terms of endearment:

1) Verse 3 There is a warning NOT to waste your strength on women

but serve others not himself and his pleasures

2) Verses 4-7 maintain sobriety… clear thinking.

Drunkenness was compared to a lower class of people… this behavior is selfish and not fitting.

Rather think clearly and establish justice well

3) Verses 8-9 speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...

Justice and righteousness are what is meant for a king

Stand for what is right… don’t seek to fulfill ones own pleasures

This is fitting for ROYALTY!

Cross Reference of Mother’s teaching in Proverbs: often we equate in the scriptures instruction coming from the fathers, yet here and other places including Proverbs 6:20 we see this is a coordinated effort as parents...

Proverbs 6:20 NASB95

My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;

A Worthy Woman

Verses 10-31 are a Hebrew acrostic… a wisdom poem.

This should probably not be taken so much as direction for every woman to attain to rather the character and qualities a man should look for…

Swindoll’s summary of this section… Many women understandably feel intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman. You know, she's the one who's up before dawn, still going long after the sun has set, preparing gourmet meals, spinning Paris-fashion quality clothing, selling handmade goods oh, and buying real estate. In fact, on her land she plants not just a backyard garden but a full-scale vineyard-no doubt to produce award-winning wines under the family label (which she has, of course, designed herself). Martha Stewart, move over!

Many commentators believe that Proverbs 31 isn't presenting an ideal wife so much as the personification of wisdom--Lady Wisdom, if you will!

Wisdom throughout the book of Proverbs does not crush ones spirit rather strengthens one to live the best life God intended, to its fullest!!!

Professor Allen P. Ross explains:

“Wisdom is personified as a woman because the word "wisdom" is a feminine noun and naturally suggests it, and because the woman is an excellent example of wisdom by virtue of the variety of applications.. at home, in the market, with charity, in business. The poem certainly presents a pattern for women who want to develop a life of wisdom; but since it is essentially about wisdom, its lessons are for both men and women to develop. The passage teaches that the fear of the Lord will inspire people to be faithful stewards of the time and talents that God has given; that wisdom is productive and beneficial for others, requiring great industry in life's, endevours; that wisdom is best taught and lived in the home - indeed the success of the home demands wisdom ...”

Lady wisdom is Worthy of pursuit! Consideration of her deeds...

A: High value of a good wife (v. 10)

B: Husband benefited by wife (vv. 11–12)

C: Wife works hard (vv. 13–19)

D: Wife gives to poor (v. 20)

E: No fear of snow (v. 21a)

F: Children clothed in scarlet (v. 21b)

G: Coverings for bed, wife wears linen (v. 22)

H: Public respect for husband (v. 23)

G´: Sells garments and sashes (v. 24)

F´: Wife clothed in dignity (v. 25a)

E´: No fear of future (v. 25b)

D´: Wife speaks wisdom (v. 26)

C´: Wife works hard (v. 27)

B´: Husband and children praise wife (vv. 28–29)

A:´ High value of a good wife (vv. 30–31)

The center point of the chiasmus is v. 23, the declaration that the husband is highly regarded at the gate. The verse has been read as almost an intrusion on the poem; all the other verses praise the wife, but this verse alone focuses on the esteem the husband commands.

As we seek wisdom we esteem and bring respect for our Heavenly Father… as we direct others to seek and follow wisdom we bring praise and glory to Him!

Praise Her!

Wisdom exemplified through this noble woman… a woman of God...In this poem she is a distinguished woman who fears the Lord contrasting the worldly woman folly…

Read verses 28-31

Do know someone like this?… Your mom?

She’s not perfect, but seeks God… Fears the Lord (beginning of wisdom)