Pastor John Mochel

May 4

Reading: Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

 

2  What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

3  Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6  Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

8  Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

 

10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

 

The concluding chapter of Proverbs has two sections.  The first (vss. 1-9) contains the proverbs of King Lemuel.  We do not know who King Lemuel was.  These verses give advice to those in power to keep away from sexual sin, drunkenness, and to devote themselves to caring for the powerless.

The closing section of Proverbs begins in verse 10.  It is unique in Scripture in that it displays the qualities of the “excellent wife.”  There is a good way and a bad way to read these verses.  If you read them and compare yourself to this woman, you will fall short.  That is not the purpose of this teaching.

This is not a description of an actual woman, but rather a goal for all wives to aim for.  It is a calling set before you to encourage you in the right direction.  You will find in reading this that the “excellent wife” does not really fall nicely into anyone’s paradigm.

There are a number of key features to bring out about this “excellent wife.”

  1. She is trusted by her husband and encourages him. She does not fight against him. (vss. 10-12)
  2. She works hard inside the home to provide for her family. (vss. 13, 15, 18-19, 27)
  3. She works hard outside the home to provide for her family. (vss. 14, 16, 24, 31) This passage is not promoting a woman who stays home, raises the kids, and does the housework. There is nothing wrong with a woman who does that.  But this passage allows for a different model as well.
  4. She is strong, confident, and hopeful as she looks to the future. (vs. 17, 25) She is not timid, worried, or fearful.
  5. She cares for the poor and the needy. (vs. 20) She is at work serving in the community.
  6. She dresses nicely and makes sure that her children are properly dressed. (vss. 21-22)
  7. She bolsters her husband’s reputation. Everyone knows that he is a blessed man because of her. (vs. 23)
  8. She speaks wisdom and teaches kindness. (vs. 26)
  9. Her husband and children praise her. (vss. 28-29)
  10. She fears the Lord more than she thinks about her physical beauty. (vs. 30)