BENEFITS and BLESSINGS

 JULY 29, 2022

Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The book of Proverbs is summarized in a poem praising a woman who is the wise manager of diverse enterprises ranging from weaving to wine making to trade in the market. In my view this poem provides us with a description of the benefits and blessings bestowed on a home when we decide to be committed to pursue Wisdom. Perhaps you recall, way back in Chapter 1 of Proverbs we noted that pursuing wisdom will result in being drawn closer to God, and discovering ways of living life well.

The uniting theme of the Book of Proverbs is the benefits of seeking to be wise, to learn how to be skillful in life. I realize that this Proverbs 31 poem has quite an interpretive history among Christian communities. I would imagine, most of you have read of heard this passage being used by some men as a checklist of what they should be looking for in a wife, and by some women as a description of all the things that are expected of them if they want to play the part of a “good wife.” I wonder if there isn’t something more here, I mean the description of this woman seems to create an overwhelming burden for both females and males. I mean who can live up to this character that is described? Who can find such a women?

Yet, in Proverbs the pursuit of wisdom, is liberating, freeing, gives clear guidance and direction. It is not a checklist of qualities or actions, but rather a description of a life that is lived in close relationship with God. I wonder if this closing poem, is a parable of sorts that is meant to drive home the outcome seeking God’s wisdom.

To conclude our quick look at Proverbs, lets look at the benefits and blessings of pursuing “Lady Wisdom” as Proverbs 31:10-31 outlines.

Wisdom Helps You Work Hard (vv. 13-15) Wisdom reminds us that hard work has value. The Wise Person Takes Joy in Work (v. 13), “She works with her hands in delight.” The Wise Person Does What Is Needed (vv. 14-15) Does what needs to be done!

Wisdom Helps You Work Smart (vv. 16-19) Wisdom doesn’t just show us the value of hard work, it helps us find ways to work smarter. Notice, the Wise Person Plans the Work (v. 16) “She considers a field and buys it…she plants a vineyard.” Wisdom helps us to plan our work in such a way that will be most beneficial.

The Wise Person Prepares Themself (v. 17) Sometimes work is hard. Work is harder when we ourselves are not prepared to do it. The woman in the passage “girds herself with strength” and “makes her arm strong.” This means that she makes sure she is ready to do the work.

The Wise Person Perseveres (v. 18) Work is harder when it doesn’t go as we had planned. Wisdom helps us persevere when we feel like giving up. The woman in verse 18 doesn’t give up even when work takes longer than expected. In the ancient world, light at night was a luxury. To light a candle or lamp was often an extravagance. Most people worked only during the day. When it got dark outside, most people just went to bed. So, for her to light a lamp and keep working shows both that her work took longer than she was expecting and that she perseveres and sacrifices in order to get the job done.

Wisdom Helps You Bless Others (vv. 20-27). The Wise Person Has Compassion (v. 20) The wise person sees the abundance that they possess as a tool for blessing others. Verse 20 says, “she extends her hand to the poor, and she stretched out her hands to the needy.” Wisdom encourages us to be compassionate, to bless other people

Finally, The Wise Person Has Counsel (vv. 25-27) Wisdom will help us bless others with our counsel. Verse 26 says, “She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” The wise person will be able to guide others down the right path. Notice, though, this aspect of wisdom comes last. The wise person first works and blesses before they open their mouth.

All of this is the outcome of "a woman who fears the Lord." She is an example for all of us to pursue!!