Read Proverbs 31
I read Proverbs 31 in the New Living Translation the Amplified Classic, and the Message.
My thoughts on Proverbs 31:
The first part starts out with wisdom given to king Solomon by his mother. Bathsheba.
She gives warnings about the type of women to avoid so he wouldn't be destroyed. Not to make a fool of himself through strong drink as it dulls the senses and he may forget the law or apply it unjustly causing people who depend on him to be hurt. The use of wine and beer is for pain and those terminally ill. Speak for those who can't speak for themselves. Judge righteously. Give justice to those who are defenseless.
She then moves on to the "Virtuous Wife," She questions, who can find a virtuous and capable woman. Then defines that she is precious, more valuable than rubies or pearls.
Virtuous - Chayil, probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:—able, activity, ( ) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ( ) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily) (Strong's H2428) Outline of Biblical Usage - strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army, strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, force, army (Strong's H2428) Capable - Able to hold or contain; able to receive; Endued with power competent to the object; Possessing mental powers; intelligent; able to understand, or receive into the mind; having a capacious mind; as a capable judge; a capable instructor; qualified (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
Bathsheba then shares what a virtuous wife looks like, her characteristics.
The heart of her husband can safely trust her. She will enrich his life. Trust - bâṭach, figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure: —be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust (Strong's H982)
She comforts and encourages him, bringing good, not harm or evil, throughout her life. Evil - raʻ, adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displease(-ure), distress, evil; exceedingly, great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favored), mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong (Strong's H7451)
She works keeping busy. She's productive. Work - ʻâsâh, accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, hinder, hold (a feast), indeed, be industrious, journey, keep, labor, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, precise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, sacrifice, serve, set, shew (Strong's 6213)
She finds and makes good deals. I like the reference to her being like a merchant's ship bringing in food from afar. Merchant - çâchar, to travel round (specifically as a peddler); intensively, to palpitate: —go about, merchant(-man), occupy with, pant, trade, traffic (Strong's H5503)
She's organized, prepared and takes care of her family. She also provides for her servants.
I love that she considers a field before she buys it! Then takes her earning to create more opportunities. Definitely an entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, she gets up before dawn. I see that as seizing the day, not wasting a moment.
She has strength and is energetic, and a hard worker. No laziness here. She also strengthens herself for the tasks ahead. Strong - ʻôz, strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise): —boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong (Strong's H5797) Strengthens -ʼâmats, to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage):—confirm, be courageous (of good courage, steadfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed) (Strong's H553)
She makes sure her dealings are profitable and works into the night.
She keeps busy and I'd say creative.
She helps the poor and the needy.
She's prepared so that everyone has what they need for winter.
She makes her own bedspreads and dresses well.
Her husband is well known at the city gates and sits with other leaders. The city gates were where important meetings and business took place in safety and security. It was also where court was held and announcements were paid. To be well known is also to be respected. Her husband may have been a civic leader.
She makes things to sell and is successful at getting others to buy them.
She walks in strength, honor, and dignity and has no fear of the future. Honor - hâdâr, magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor: —beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty (Strong's H1926) Dignity - True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions; opposed to meanness; Elevation; honorable place or rank of elevation; degree of excellence, either in estimation, or in the order of nature (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
She speaks with wisdom and kindness, giving counsel and instruction. Wisdom - chokmâh, wisdom (in a good sense): —skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit (Strong's H2451) Kindness - cheçed, by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subjectively) beauty: —favor, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing (Strong's H2617)
She keeps watch over everything in her household making sure they run smoothly. She is not idle or eats the bread of idleness - gossip, discontent, self-pity.
Her children call her blessed and her husband praises her, "Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all." (Proverbs 31:29 AMPC) Blessed - ʼâshar, to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper: —(call, be) bless(-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve (Strong's 833) Praises her - hâlal, to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:—(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine (H1984) Excel - To go beyond; to exceed; to surpass in good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
The woman how is to be admired and praise is one that fears the Lord. Charm and looks don't last but fear of the Lord, following His commands are eternal. "Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!" (Proverbs 31:30 AMPC) Deceitful - sheqer, an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial): —without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully (Strong's 8267) "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!" (Psalm 111:10 NLT) "The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding." (Proverbs 9:10 AMPC)
Because of who she is and what she does, especially her fear of the Lord. This Proverb ends with: "Give her everything she deserves! Adorn her life with praises!" (Proverbs 31:31 MSG) "Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise." (Proverbs 31:31 NLT) What a beautiful tribute for any woman to receive.
The verse that spoke to me:
The entire chapter in its totality spoke to me. Not only does it outline the characteristics of leadership and the virtuous woman it gives characteristics of what my relationship with God should look like.
My takeaway:
I must value and be committed to my relationship with God because it's more precious and valuable than anything on earth. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:4-5 AMPC)
I can safely trust God and entrust my heart to Him. He should also be able to trust me. All relationships need a firm foundation in trust. "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track." (Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG)
My life will be enriched by my relationship with God. He has a plan for me. All I have to do is follow it. "I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10b-11 MSG) "So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose." (Romans 8:28 TPT)
I am comforted and encouraged by God, by His Word and as a result I live a life that is honoring Him and not besieged by evil. "Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him." (Proverbs 30:5 AMPC)
I must work and be productive both naturally and spiritually. I can't grow spiritually and be of use to God if I don't study His Word. It's through His Word that we are equipped to do what He has called us to do. "Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:7 AMPC)
I will grow in wisdom and make good choices because of time with Him and His Word. I have to live this Scripture: "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." (Joshua 1:8 AMPC)
I have provision and can be organized, prepared, taking care of what needs to be taken care of and things to come. Wisdom lights the path showing me the way. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 AMPC)
Of course, there's more treasure in this chapter. I challenge you to take a moment and create your own list.
"Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NLT)
Thank you to everyone who took this journey with me through the book of Proverbs. You did it!
To those who started but the cares of this world grabbed your attention and maybe the enemy said it's too late, you're too far behind, don't believe him. It's not too late and you're right where you need to be. Continue or begin again. Don't let the enemy win!
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank You for each person that participated in 31 Days of Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs. Let the rich lessons, instructions, knowledge, insights, and wisdom be written on their hearts. Now Father let these precious pearls be applied to every area of their lives because we know that knowledge without application is just information. Let them live it and let them go back and revisit Proverbs and Your Word daily! Lord, let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, through each one of them. I pray this prayer in faith and on the authority of the Name of Jesus. Amen.
I SPEAK THIS BLESSING OVER YOU:
I break the power of negative thoughts, negative words, negative actions, and negative connections. After today they have no power over them because in Your Name, I bless these, Your people. I declare:
You are set apart, for God’s use and marked as God’s property.
You recognize Divine connections and walk in them boldly.
You walk by faith and not by sight trusting God’s leading in your life.
You are blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom.
You have courage, talent, and abundance!
Fear no longer paralyzes you. Opposition, Distractions, Distortions, and Obstacles no longer deter you.
You hear the voice of God clearly and obey Him immediately!
Because of this the Lord will establish you.
You will walk in His favor and everything you put your hand to will prosper.
And now Father, I am going to speak over Your precious children, what You told Aaron to speak over the children of Israel in Numbers 6:24-26:
“The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you, and be gracious (kind, and merciful to you. May the Lord give you favor everywhere you go); May the Lord lift up His [approving] countenance, the smile of His face, upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).”
In Jesus Name you are blessed. And those whom God has blessed, no man can curse. Amen! (Numbers 6:24-26 AMPC)
Share in the comments what verse spoke to you and why. Let's grow in wisdom together.
Be Encouraged! ❤