SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 31:29-31

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

 

The Proverbs Of King Lemuel: The Excellence Of A Godly Influential Woman: Proverbs 31:29-31

29) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30) Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

King Lemuel now turns our attention to advice, given from His mother, to help us understand the preciousness and importance of “virtuous” women.

What does “virtuous” mean?  This is a term that carries with it the idea of “force” or “influence”.  It is translated in the Bible as: “army”, “company”, “force”, “might”, “strength”, “valor”, among others.  The main thrust of this term is teaching us that this type of woman is a tremendous force for good in society.  Not only does she bring profit to herself and her family, but she is profitable to all those around her.  This is why she is described as “virtuous”.

 

EXPOSITION:

29) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
1.  There is an abundance of female relatives that perform individual acts that influence others.
2.  But it is the virtuous woman who excels over others.

One of the great hallmarks of a truly virtuous woman is the performance of beneficial works for her family and those around her AS A WAY OF LIFE.  It is this attribute of the virtuous woman that causes her to be exalted above all other women who perform singular acts of kindness towards others.

S. A virtuous woman consistently works to benefit those to whom she comes into contact.

“My dove, my undefiled is [but] one; she [is] the [only] one of her mother, she [is] the choice [one] of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; [yea], the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.”  (Song of Solomon 6:9)

 

30) Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
1.  Acts of kindness can be used fraudulently and physical beauty has no long term benefits
2.  A woman who reverences the Lord is the one who shall be commended

Both random acts of kindness and physical beauty can be used selfishly to manipulate others.  Although they may work in the short term, neither will bring lasting, eternal benefits.  But when a woman properly reverences the Lord, and in doing so lives a virtuous life, she shall be honored by men and be the recipient of eternal rewards from the Lord.

T.  A virtuous woman will receive temporal honor from men and eternal rewards from the Lord for her consistently beneficial works among men.

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and

will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”   (1 Corinthians 4:5)

 

31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
1.  Give back to her in like kind as she has done for you.
2.  Allow her works to speak for themselves.  In doing so, they will bring honor and respect upon her from those in high position in the community.

The Godly woman’s works are proof of her life’s goal….
1.  Give herself to the service of the Lord by…
2.  using her God-given talents, gifts and calling to assist her family and others while…
3.  giving no thought to herself.

This is the ultimate goal that is given to all of us from the Lord, and it is wonderfully accomplished in the life of a virtuous woman…

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)

U.  The virtuous woman’s works will speak for themselves, bringing to her the honor of men and rewards of the Lord.

 

SUMMARY:

In a study, so far, these are the qualities that are possessed by a Godly “woman of influence”:
A.  A virtuous woman will faithfully care for her family and make certain their needs are supplied.
B.  A virtuous woman will always work for the benefit of her husband’s and family’s reputation and well-being.
C.  A virtuous woman plays the role of manufacturer for her family.
D.  A virtuous woman holds the position of purchaser for the family.
E.  A virtuous woman holds the position of manager/laborer working long hours of labor and oversight.
F.  A virtuous woman has the position of business owner and farmer exercising asset oversight and profitability
G.  A virtuous woman seeks to excel in every area of her life through self-improvement and preparation
H.  A virtuous woman shows she is diligent by making the most of every opportunity to be productive.
I.  A virtuous woman is humble: performing mundane tasks, setting the example, and instructing others.
J.  A virtuous woman is sacrificial, kind, charitable to the needy that may cross her path.
K.  The virtuous woman plans ahead to meet her family’s future needs.
L.  A virtuous woman can satisfy many of her desires through the use of her talents and abilities.
M.  A virtuous woman will possess a testimony that brings respect to her husband and family.
N.  A virtuous woman is faithful to the Lord in her professional calling and possession of a Christ-like testimony.
O.  A virtuous woman has a Godly testimony that influences others.
P.  A virtuous woman speaks beneficial words out of a heart of live, respect and a desire to help those in need.
Q.  A virtuous woman lives a live of service to meet the needs of her family
R.  A virtuous woman finds her greatest respect among those closest to her
S. A virtuous woman consistently works to benefit those to whom she comes into contact.
T.  A virtuous woman will receive honor from men and eternal rewards from the Lord for her works among men.
U.  The virtuous woman’s works will speak for themselves, bringing her the honor of men and rewards of the Lord.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

This concludes our study from the book of Proverbs.  Thank you so much for taking part in our devotional series.   May the Lord give us grace to live out these principles in our everyday living.  May the Lord bless you.

Beginning January 2^nd we will be posting devotions from the book of Ephesians with “Reflections of His grace” as the main theme of the devotionals.  

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

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