Proverbs 31
I wonder if poor Lemuel knew the pressure he’d create for the 20th and 21st century woman with this tribute. I bet not!
I’m not going to elaborate very much on this chapter.
- For one, it’s preached on in Mid-May in just about every town.
- Two, Proverbs 31 is NOT my wife’s favorite passage; which I’ve not been able to fully understand, since I see descriptions of her in scattered through the entire chapter. Oh well, I know enough to keep myself out of hot water. 🙂
Just a couple of observations then –
This chapter’s description of a wife of noble character pictures her life, not last week, OK?! See it? “…all the days of her life” (verse 12)
With that in mind, I’ll point to my favorite segment, Lemuel’s description in verses 25 – 28:
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
she speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and noes not eat the bread of idleness
Her children arise and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her.
When that’s true and she, in unfeigned humility endures the compliments of 29 and 30 (Can almost hear her now, “Yah-yah-yah…”), it’s gratifying to arrive at the conclusion in 31
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
In 21st century terms, “Enjoy the accolades, Love; you’ve earned this honor!”
—PLR—
3 Replies to “Proverbs 31”
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There are a few verses in this Proverb that I like:
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.”
I strive to be this kind of wife, hoping that when I tell my husband certain events of the day, I want him to be proud of what I said and the way I acted, and the way I spent money. Or if he watches me from across the room, he is pleased and has full confidence in the person I am. If I strive to be the woman God wants me to be, then I definitely will bring pleasure to my husband.
15 “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.”
Okay, I get up at 5:30 (still dark) and prepare breakfast for my husband (which he eats on the road) and I pack his lunch. I’ve done this for 22 years all b/c I like to see him in the morning and my day doesn’t seem complete without his good-bye hug every morning.
The last part of the verse made me smile. “and portions for her servant girls.” Can that refer to feeding our 3 labrador retrievers that are all girls? Can they be considered my servant girls? 🙂 Just kidding!
30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
This verse has been a favorite of mine since high school, when I wanted people to like me for my inner beauty more than any outward beauty I might be blessed with.
– Jonell
AWEsome words, Jonell!
I’ve read through your lines three or four times already – you’ve captured the heart of these verses well, and are obviously applying them to your day and relationship with your hubby!
Should I tease you at all about him having to eat breakfast on the road every morning 😉 or just wonder how he manages to eat pancakes and sausage en route without getting syrup everywhere? [kidding]
Seriously – he’s a blessed guy, and I know he knows it.
Blessings – LOTS of ’em! Thanks for these thoughts from the feminine side on this chapter~
Phil—
Tease all you want … you know I can take it! 🙂
And besides, the work day breakfast is usually a ham and cheese sandwich or PBJ sandwich. Believe me, I save the pancakes, syrup, and sausage for the weekends.
Jonell