A GOOD WOMAN
Proverbs 31
Who wrote Proverbs 31?
Proverbs 31:1-3
The sayings of King Lemuel — an oracle his mother taught him:
2 "O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,
3 do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
According to the text, it was written by King Lemuel, but inspired by his mother.
She valued the reputation of her son, his position as king, and his relationship with
the nation God placed him to serve.
Who was King Lemuel?
There is speculation that Hezekiah, who became the 13th king of Judah after the kingdom of Israel split in two, added these last two chapters to the book of Proverbs
Regarding the writers themselves, Agur and Lemuel, the Jewish Talmud states that "Solomon was called by six names: Solomon, Jedidiah, Koheleth, Son of Jakeh, Agur, and Lemuel." (forchristian women.org)
The Name Lemuel is a Hebrew name, according to the Eastern Bible Commentary means
dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed. The rabbinical commentary identifies as
King Solomon.
Knowing that King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, why would you want to listen
to him? The evidence is King Solomon was a womanizer, an abuser of women's feelings.
What could he know about a good wife? Surly, the King did not have much time to spend
with any woman.
Assuming Proverbs 31 was written by King Solomon, at what age did he write it?
No one knows, God does not tell us. We know that earlier part of his kingship, Solomon
was concentrated on building the Temple in Jerusalem. He established himself as a man of
wisdom throughout Israel and in foreign countries. He was devoted to God in the earlier part
of His kingship.
Perhaps after the Temple was built, he spent his time on his fleshly desires for women.
Let me suggest, that in the latter years of his reign, he settled down and reflected on
what he had learned in life, writing Ecclesiastes and Proverbs.
In my older age, I have had a chance to reflect on my life’s journey. In this time
I often reflect on the teachings of my mother, father, and grandparents. According to
the text, the king was reflecting on the teaching of his mother.
If you couple your relationship with God, with the teaching of your parents and your
life's experiences, you can conclude with good advice. Perhaps that is what Solomon
did for us in the Book of Proverbs.
The first advice the King’s mother gave him is to settle on one woman. If the King was
Solomon, his mother was Bathsheba who was taken from her first husband by his
Father, King David. David had several wives and many conflicts among his children.
Marriage is a sacred institution created by God. He meant for man to be the head of
the household and to treat His wife with respect. Bathsheba knew what it meant to be
disrespected and devalued.
IDENTIFYING THE WORTH OF A WOMAN
Proverbs 31:10-12
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall not need spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
The word virtuous means strength, power, resourceful
You have to know your worth. God designed you to be powerful and resourceful.
It is part of your DNA. Don’t let no man or woman devalue you.
Why should a strong woman get attached to a weak man? Somebody weak will try to
bring you down to their level. I grew up around some strong women. They didn’t
have a lot of education, but they were strong in the Lord and strong in the community.
It takes a strong woman to raise children; Feed them, dress them, bathe them, educate
them, and discipline them. You need to know you got value. The Lord says you are
more valuable than rubies. A ruby is a precious stone, beautiful to look at. A ruby has
hardness, it has durability, and luster, and is a rare stone. It is bright red, the color of the precious
blood of Jesus.
A man must learn to see his spouse not just as a wife, but as a valuable partner.
A strong woman can be trusted. A strong woman is not wasteful. A strong woman follows
the Lord.
Parents and Grandparents, teach your children what to look for in a mate.
Bathsheba had experience. She was taken from her husband. Forced into adultery.
King David got her pregnant and didn't want the baby. David tried to fool
her husband that the baby was his. When that didn’t work, he had Bathsheba’s
husband put on the front line of the battle so he would be killed. King David did this
to save his reputation. He disrespected and disregarded the worth of a beautiful lady.
The life Bathsheba knew as a young bride was destroyed by
the selfish lust of a king. Yet this mother gave her son valuable advice on how to
value a woman.
A GOOD WOMAN PUTS HER SKILLS TO WORK
Proverbs 31:13-16
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
A Good wife is a working woman. She works inside the house and outside the house.
She does whatever it takes to provide for her family.
Watch this fellows, a good husband provides the wife with help when she needs it.
It is a working partnership. A good husband is aware of the wife's workload.
If both are working, you may not be able to do everything without some outside help.
A GOOD WOMAN KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE
BUSINESS
Proverbs 31:16-20
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
A good wife has good business sense. She knows a good deal when she sees it.
If need be, she makes independent decisions for the family.
In verse 17, a good wife takes responsibility for the decision she makes.
A good wife works long days and into the night.
A good wife is not idle, but busy.
A GOOD WIFE IS GENEROUS
Proverbs 31:20-23
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
A good wife knows it is not all about her and her family.
She is generous to the poor.
She realizes she has been blessed and shares her blessing with others.
A good wife is thrifty, resourceful, and creative. She makes the best clothes
for her family.
A GOOD WIFE DRESSES TO LOOK GOOD FOR HER
HUSBAND
A good wife cares for herself and dresses well for her husband.
Ladies you looked good when you got him. Keep looking good to
keep him. Other women will be glad to take your man.
A GOOD WOMAN IS NOT PASSIVE
Proverbs 31:23-26
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
A good woman makes her husband look good around other men.
A good woman has stuff to say and goods to sell.
She is a strong woman with good character. She does not have time for gossip or foolishness
If you need good advice, she is the woman to seek.
THE REPUTATION OF A GOOD WOMAN SPEAKS FOR HER
Proverbs 31:27-31
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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 works praise her in the gates.
A good woman works for the family. She does not try to please the neighbors.
She sets the standards for other women to strive for.
She is smart and kindhearted and her family appreciates her.
The key to her successful life is her love for the Lord.
Her reputation speaks to her goodness
LADIES VALUE YOURSELF AS GOD VALUES YOU
DON’T BE A VICTIM, BE VICTORIOUS
CLASS QUESTIONS
WHAT LESSONS DO YOU SEE IN PROVERBS 31?
WHAT SHOULD MEN LEARN FROM PROVERBS 31?
WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU GET FROM
PROVERBS 31?
Rev. M. Mitchell
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