Proverbs 31 Woman: Introduction

Today begins our study on the Proverbs 31 Woman. She has a wonderful reputation and she is synonymous with "Excellence" As we begin this look at her, may I just say to all... lets humbly look at ourselves under her light...not to be condemned if we see how short we come but to be encouraged that "with God all things are possible". Let's remember God would not give us this view if it was not something He desires for us. We are all a work in progress...but it is He who works IN us. Let's begin by praying and trusting God that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in Christ" Let's keep our eyes on Him the author and perfecter of our faith.

On a side note: as we begin to commit to the memorization of Scripture, our verse this week comes right from what we will be looking at. It is not exactly from this chapter, but from Proverbs which I would commend to all of you to read Proverbs at some time. Proverbs is a practical book filled with timeless words and truths that can easily be remembered and applied. It is also great to teach kids.


OK let's just do a quick overview of Proverbs. First the book begins with the descriptions of wisdom and states that "Blessed is the man who finds it" Wisdom is described as more precious than jewels...long life is in her right hand...she is the tree of life. As I was going through the book, I found so many truths:

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue" Prob 18:21

"He who gives and answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him" Prov 18:13

"By wisdom a house is built and by undersatnding it is established" Prov 24:3

"The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life" Prov 14:26

"Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline" Prov 13:18.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITES?



Second, the subject of "women" is not uncommon in Proverbs. There is a "woman" mentioned at the beginning of Proverbs who is referred to as "adulteress". She is the opposite of the "excellent woman".

Her lips "drip honey" and she has a smooth tongue (Prov. 5:3)

She seduces (Prov. 7:15-21)

She flatters with lips (Prov. 7:5)

She forsakes her husband for another man and plans to take the life of innocent victims.

Along with the "adulteress" there are many other women depicted in Proverbs.
Chapter 7 verse 11 talks about a nagging woman, "It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman"

Prov. 11:22 says "A ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion" Discretion here has to do with understanding or perception.

Prov. 21:19 says "It is better to live in a desert land that with a quarrelsome and bad-tempered woman"

And in Proverbs 12:5 a clear contrast is made "A excellent wife is the crown of her husband BUT she who shames him is as rottenness as his bones"


So the book of Proverbs has many things to say..about life, about relationships, friends, raising children and work standards. At the very end of this extensive treatise of life comes the excellent wife...it is as if after all this instruction, here at at the end, is the prize.
Proverbs tells us that as wives and mothers, we have a great deal of influence not only with our husband but our family. There is a great example of this in Scripture. 1 Kings chapter 21, tells us about Ahab's wife Jezebel. Ahab was incited to wickedness by his wife Jezebel..he brooded and pouted because he could not get a vineyard he wanted. Jezebel plotted and had the owner of the vineyard killed so Ahab could have his field. We may not "kill" someone so our husbands can have what they want, but how often do we kill someone's reputation by what we say about them? We can plot and scheme to "help" our husbands instead of praying and calling them to wait on the Lord.
There is nothing better than an "excellent wife" and nothing worse than the opposite. Tomorrow we will start looking at verse 10. But just as an introduction to this chapter, we know it is written by a mother to her son. These words are written in an acrostic style. That means every verse begins with the first letter of the Hebrew language. There are 22 verses from verse 10 to 31 and there are 22 characters in the Hebrew alphabet. Why would it be written that way? So it could be easily remembered. As mothers we know the things our children need as adults. Today we instruct them on money, washing clothes, good sportsmanship but how many of us with sons instruct them on finding an "excellent woman"? We may point out she is pretty but what about virtues? This mom knew, that more than anything her son would need was to find was a noble woman...and excellent wife. The insight and guidance she provided him becomes a timeless truth for us. The question we need to ask...how well do we instruct our children towards this?
These verses are not only a barometer to ourselves but great insight for instruction to our children or grandchildren. Proverbs 31 gives us a lot to look at and apply in the next weeks.