Lesson Six
PROVERBS 31
INTRODUCTION
This chapter focuses not only on what many refer to as the “Proverbs 31 Woman,” but also on what could be called the “Proverbs 31 Man.: Of the 31 chapters of Proverbs, 30 of them indicate that they were instructions from a father to a son. However, in the final chapter of Proverbs, it is clear that these instructions about being a godly man/husband/father and a godly woman/wife/mother are from a mother to her son.
Golden Truth (Prov. 31:1)
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his
mother taught him.
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. A Godly Man
The first few verses of Proverbs is a wonderful passage for instructing a young
man on living a godly life. A man who lives godly will carry that over into the role of husband and father. These verses
should also speak to the single woman’s hart in search of a godly husband. “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his
mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?” (Prov. 31:1, 2). Here we see that
these are indeed the words of the mother to her son. “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth
kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink,
and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” (Prov. 31:3-5). There are many Scriptures in the Bible
which exhort against drinking alcoholic beverages. As she admonishes her son about his own godly living, her main focus is that
of warning on the subject of alcohol! She warns him not to give his strength unto women or to ways that destroy kings. Alcohol dulls the senses and strips a man of his strength including logical thought processes and decision making. What stands
out about these verses is that the mother was reminding her son of his position as royalty with its tremendous responsibilities and
others looking to him, and, as such, he must not drink. People would look to him, and, as such, he must not drink.
People
would look to him for leadership and guidance; he would be responsible for the lives and livelihood of others. Some may say, “Well,
I am not a prince or a king, so how does this apply to me?” Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, and as Christians we are
members of the family of God and, therefore, royalty. I n this way, these Scriptures speak straight to us. Also, in the
New Testament, First Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should show forth the praises of him who hat called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” The Church is that holy
nation and its members have the responsibility for leading and guiding others by being a light to the whole world! “Give strong
drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.” (Prov. 31:6-7). What a reason to drink! It is sad, but this is the way of the sinner. (It would be noted that there are many Scriptures that support total abstinence from all liquor and strong drink for every Christian,
but that is a lesson for another time). “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open
thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8-9). This mother concludes the exhortation
on how her son should behave by instructing him to use his voice for others. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
and for all who are in need. This also brings to mind that we should use our voices to speak up for the sick, for children,
and for all who cannot help themselves. Even today, we have voices that can be raised to plead the causes of the poor and needy
in various ways. Spiritually speaking, we have the ear, so to speak, of the King of Glory. He desires to hear our prayers
for others; pleading for their salvation, their sicknesses, and for all their needs—simply interceding for them. These are qualities
which should be encouraged and sought after.
II. Finding A Godly Woman
(Prov. 31:10-12)
The mother has exhorted the son about being a godly man. Now, she begins to share godly qualities which he should look for in a wife. (Also, these are the qualities which every Christian woman should desire in her own self; qualities that a godly woman will possess). “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Prov. 31:10). Virtuous means pure. This type of woman is a precious jewel to be sought after, found, and cherished. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Prov. 31:11,12). To trust in her is being able to know that she will listen to his deepest hopes and thoughts and not tell everyone. She has his best interest at heart and is praying for him. The virtuous, godly woman will treat him well ALL the days of her life; which, by the way, is how long a marriage is to last.
II. A Godly Woman Is Not Idle
(Prov. 31:13-19, 24, 27)
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” (v. 13). This kind of woman is not afraid of hard work. Not only is she not afraid of hard work, but she even seeks it. “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” (v.14). Merchant’s ships would bring food from one place to another ensuring that people had food. This wife makes sure that there is food to eat. “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” (v. 15). She doesn’t lie in bed all day while everyone is hungry. She gets up early and prepares a meal for those in her care. “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (v 16). She sees a good piece of land, buys it and can even grow grapes to either sell or help feed her family. “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” (v, 17). She stays active and strong. “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” (v. 18). The godly woman understands that she has something valuable to contribute. The candle in her house is always burning as a light of hope to all those who need help. “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” (v 19).“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” (v. 24). The type of woman this mom wants her son to find is always busy. “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”(v. 27). She looks out for her family and is a good example to them in how a godly woman takes care of others and herself. How does this type of woman have enough time to do all that she does? Sometimes women say, “I’ll never be a Proverbs 31 woman,” making it seem as if these Scriptures are unattainable. The godly woman this mother is telling her son to seek after is one who has enough time to accomplish all these things because she is not idle, and she has her priorities in the right place. Can you name a couple of things which much of our present society does that might be considered idle?
IV. A Godly Woman Demonstrates
Concern For Others
(Prov. 31: 30-21)
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” (V. 20) Notice that just as the mother instructed her son to intercede for those in need, she now tells him to seek that quality in a wife as well. The godly woman is concerned about the poor and the needy, not just with words saying that she cares, but with true love being expressed by putting actions behind her words. “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” (V. 21). She is prepared for hard times, and her family is bundled and warm. She is concerned about and takes interest in how her family is dressed. Also, scarlet can be symbolic for the blood of Jesus. She will encourage her family to live for the Lord. When His blood is applied to our hearts through salvation, we have nothing to fear.
V. A Godly Woman Dresses Godly
(Prov. 31:22)
“She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” She dresses properly as she should, being the wife of royalty. As a child of the King of kings, we should always be careful how we dress, making sure that we are dressing to please Him. How would He have us dress? The Church’s advice to members speaks directly to this. It says, “Your dress should be with moderation, neat and clean, but not for show. Moderation includes paying moderate prices for clothing, wearing dresses of high-enough necklines, low-enough hemlines, sleeves of reasonable length. The wearing of extremely sheer fabrics is unbecoming to a saint and wearing of shorts in public should never be practiced.” This is sound biblical instruction just as the mother in Proverbs 31 gave her son.
VI. A Godly Reputation
(Prov. 31:23, 25, 26)
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” (V. 23), The husband of a godly woman is well-known and respected in the community. That is the kind of husband that should be sought—one with a good reputation, and a husband with a good reputation will want a wife with the same. “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” (V 25). Staying strong spiritually and remaining honorable, even in the hard times, no matter what the devil throws at us will allow us to be joyful down the road even if at some point our lives become filled with sorrow and tears. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (v. 26). She is known by her speech. She guards her mouth and speaks only good things.
VII. Praise For the Godly Woman
(Prov. 31:28-31)
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (v. 28). She is a good mother and her children and husband tell others of her goodness. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (v. 29). What a wonderful testimony of a godly life. This is the kind of daughter God desires every woman to be, the kind of wife God desires for every husband! “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (v. 30). Outward beauty is nothing compared to the beauty of holiness that comes from the inside. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (v. 31). The actions of this godly woman will show others what kind of person she is and will be a public testimony to the life which she has lived.
CONCLUSION
Just as these words were given by a mother to her son thousands of years ago, they continue to be appropriate instruction for today’s parents to teach their children. As importantly, however, this chapter contains exhortation that is valuable for every man and woman desiring to live godly lives, whether as a single man or woman, spouse, or parent. Proverbs 31 shows what an impact godly men and women have on marriage, parenting, and society in general. May God help us strive to be Proverbs 31 men and women.