A Woman Who Fears the Lord: Far More Precious than Jewels
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This morning I want to set aside a time to speak to mothers. But, I think this message will be relevant for not just mothers and wives, but it will be relevant for all women.
My aim this morning is threefold:
1. to challenge you ladies to be godly
2. to encourage you to continue walking in godliness
3. to praise you for the godliness you are already putting on display
You might think that last one sounds a little strange, but if you follow along with me this morning I think we can all come to a proper biblical understanding of why we are to praise the godly women in our lives.
This morning I want to examine the qualities of an excellent wife (or woman), and by that I mean the qualities of a woman who fears the Lord!
These two thoughts are book end thoughts- that is these thoughts sum up the teaching of Prov. 31:10-31. An interesting fact about this passage is that it is an acrostic. Each verse starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a beautiful poem about an excellent woman or a woman who fears the Lord.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
The other interesting fact about Proverbs 31 is the order of the book in the Hebrew canon. In the Hebrew OT the books of the bible are arranged in a different order than they are in our English Bibles. One interesting observation is that in the Hebrew Bible they put the book of Ruth right after the book of Proverbs. In our Bible Ruth is put in with the Historical Books of the OT, but in the Hebrew Bible Ruth comes right after the poetry and wisdom books, right after Proverbs. Some scholars believe the reason the Jews in the OT place Ruth right after Proverbs is that Ruth is meant to be an illustration of the Proverbs 31 woman. The book of Proverbs ends with this description of an excellent wife or woman of a woman who fears the Lord, and then you go right into reading the book of Ruth who typifies exactly what a Proverbs 31 woman looks like in real life.
So that is what we are going to do this morning. We are going to look at the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman, and then we are going to see those qualities lived out through the example of Ruth.
What are the qualities of an excellent woman?
1. Her character reflects the disposition of a wise and loving heart
1. Her character reflects the disposition of a wise and loving heart
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Mouth and teaching- highlight the idea of her words. But her words expose the quality of her heart.
The heart of an excellent woman is saturated with wisdom- thus when she opens her mouth wisdom issues from it. Where does this wisdom come from?
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Wisdom comes from the Lord, He is the One that gives it. The beginning of wisdom is to develop a proper fear or reverence for God. Righteousness is connected with wisdom. That means words of wisdom come from the life of one who knows God, who loves and fears God, and who is putting on practical the practical righteousness of God.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
When she teaches or gives instruction her counsel is bathed in kindness. The word for kindness is the Hebrew word חֶ֝֗סֶד. This word carries the idea of loyalty and faithfulness. It is a loyal love or kindness- the excellent woman is herself faithful and loyal in her love towards others and she teaches this loyal love because that is the quality of her heart.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
Do we see wisdom and kindness or loyal love on display in the life of Ruth?
15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
What is the context of this passage?
Days of the judges- significant to our understanding of Ruth! Everyone was doing that which was right in their own eyes. And yet here is a Moabite woman exemplifying wisdom and loyal love in her words to her mother-n-law.
Naomi’s husband was dead, her two sons were dead. Elimelech led the family out of Bethlehem and into the foreign land of Moab (not the wisest decision on his part). Now Naomi was going back to her homeland and she tells her two daughter-n-laws to “turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”
And how did Ruth respond? With words of wisdom and loyal love. But, it was not just words.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Hand and reaches out - highlight the idea of her actions. She takes pity on the poor and needy.
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
The words and actions of an excellent woman expose the quality of her heart!
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,
44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.
45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Ladies- have words and actions that reflect wisdom and loyal love that issue forth from the disposition of your heart.
Illustration: Tea bag- the hot water merely brings out what is already inside the tea bag.
Your walk with the Lord, the condition of your heart is of utmost importance. You must set aside time in your life to seek the Lord. You must be constantly growing in your relationship with Christ. You must seek time to let the Word of God dwell in you richly with all wisdom. You must take time to seek God in prayer. You need other people in your life encouraging you in your faith! (challenge, encourage, praise)
What are the qualities of an excellent woman?
2. Her actions show her willingness to work for the benefit of others
2. Her actions show her willingness to work for the benefit of others
One of the discovers of the COVID lock-downs and government bailout checks is that many people got to stay home and got significant time off of work. Many people got a little too accustomed to that idea and never went back to work. The excellent woman of Proverbs 31 doesn’t allow circumstances or excuses to stay in the way of her willingness to work for the benefit of others.
Proverbs 31:13–15 (ESV)
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. 15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
SEEKS, WORKS, BRINGS, RISES, PROVIDES
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
LOOKS, DOES NOT EAT
These action words help explain the qualities of an excellent woman.
Do we see these qualities exemplified in the life of Ruth?
1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.
Let me go to the field- seeks wool and flax, brings her food from afar, looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
So she set out and went and gleaned in the field- works with willing hands.
Aside: Perhaps the most important aspect of a woman who fears the Lord, or the excellent woman or wife, is the silent Partner who is graciously working by sustaining and governing all her steps!
Ruth 2:3 (ESV)
3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.
The text uses this word “happened” like it was blind luck or chance that brought Ruth to the field of Boaz, but the careful reader of Scripture understands that this is God’s wise providence leading, guiding, and working. And it is perhaps this aspect above all others, that is key in the life of a woman that fears the Lord. God is always working on her behalf, and in all her doings she carefully looks and acknowledges the silent hand of God’s providence.
Ruth 2:20 (ESV)
20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”
Continue with the quality- she works willingly for the benefit of others:
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” 5 Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”
She came, and she had continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest- She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
The excellent woman, the one who fears the Lord- is one who works diligently!
I think a good NT parallel to this idea is found in Philippians.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The beautiful blend of, one the one hand, a right heart with God- who is the one working in you to give you the desire and the ability to do his is good pleasure, and on the other hand a determination to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Illustration: She does not “let go and let God” she “trusts God and get busy.”
Here in our text one aspect of the excellent woman working out her salvation is seen as she diligently works for the benefit of others.
Ladies- your must do your part. God is working in you to give you the desire and the ability to do his good pleasure, but you must do your part. You must diligently work for the sake of others in whatever situation of life God has placed you. (challenge, encourage, praise)
What are the qualities of an excellent woman?
3. Her attitude toward the unknown is that of courage and quiet confidence
3. Her attitude toward the unknown is that of courage and quiet confidence
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”
21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
We never really think about the danger that Ruth assumed by going out into the fields alone to glean what she could to feed her family. Apparently, there was a real danger for a lone vulnerable woman (time of the judges- everyone did that which was right in his own eyes). And yet Ruth went anyway, and God’s providence took care of her.
Then, she was obedient to the counsel of Naomi and continued to go to the field of Boaz. Her attitude was one of courage and quiet confidence, but neither did she take unnecessary risks.
1 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Ladies do you have an attitude of courage and quiet confidence? Have you dressed yourself in strength? Can you laugh at times to come? Where does your courage and your confidence come from? Is the Lord your fortress and your deliverer? Is he your shield and your stronghold? (challenge, encourage, praise)
4. Her reputation brings honor and instills trust for those closest to her
4. Her reputation brings honor and instills trust for those closest to her
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Known in the gates- that is the public square, where the everyday business of life happens, where the leaders of the community gather to do business. In that setting the reputation of an excellent woman, of one who fears the Lord does not bring shame on the head of her husband. Now, the husband may bring shame upon himself if he is acting in an ungodly manner. But, the excellent woman or wife, who loves the Lord with all her heart and who has had the grace of God work in her life bringing wisdom and loyal love, and a diligent work ethic, and a God who clothes her in strength and courage and quiet confidence- her reputation will bring her husband honor.
Is this quality displayed in the life of Ruth?
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
The heart of her husband trusts in her! She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Ladies is that the way you treat your husband? Or those closest to you? Are your actions and attitudes such that it causes others to trust you and to know that whatever life may bring you will cause them good and not harm?
Is this how Ruth lived?
11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”
8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
Ladies is this how you treat your husbands? Do you speak ill of your husbands or of those closest to you in the public eye? Do you criticize or rebuke or insult them? I’m not saying you can never have an argument or disagree with them, but those kinds of discussions ought to happen behind closed doors. Don’t publically damage the reputation of those closest to you.
What might this look like in your life?
Illustration: Sharon’s Facebook post: ,
Jon Anderson! You did it!!! Congratulations
Jon just graduated with his Master of Divinity degree! I am so proud of him for the many hours he has faithfully and diligently labored toward earning this degree and not giving up despite being a busy husband, dad, and pastor.
He had the honor of receiving the outstanding student in biblical languages award!
To God be the glory! I love you!
Now it pains me to read that and I try to get her to not post things like this, but it illustrates my point well: This kind of thing will cause me to be known in the land. This kind of thing will cause me to trust my wife completely, and to know that she will do me good and not harm all the days of my life.
And for that I praise her! And I think it is right to do so!
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Now I would love to give anyone the opportunity to come up and praise the excellent woman in their life, but I guess that is one of the privileges of being a preacher. But, husbands, sons, daughters you need to take time today to rise up and call her blessed, to praise her, to let her works praise her in the gaits. Give her the fruit of her hands. Tell you wife or mother just how much you love and respect them. Honor her, point out to her the qualities of an excellent woman that you see in her life.
What are the qualities of an excellent woman?
1. Her character reflects the disposition of a wise and loving heart
Do you go to your mother or wife and receive godly wisdom? Is she always ready to counsel you with the Scriptures? Do you know that no matter what, mom is always waiting for you with open arms to wrap you in a loyal loving embrace? Praise her for that!
2. Her actions show her willingness to work for the benefit of others
Do you see your mother or wife constantly sacrificing herself for the needs of others, cooking, cleaning, working a job, getting up in the middle of the night for the third time to comfort a crying child? Praise her for that!
3. Her attitude toward the unknown is that of courage and quiet confidence
Do you see your mother or wife boldly facing the dangers of this sin cursed world with courage and quiet confidence in the providence of God? Is she always speaking truth into your life when you are afraid challenging you to trust the Lord? Praise her for that!
4. Her reputation brings honor and instills trust for those closest to her
Do you see your mother or wife consistently living out a godly testimony? Does she bring you honor? Does she calm your heart with her trustworthiness? Does she make you look good even when you don’t deserve it? Praise her for that!
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.