PROVERBS 31 WOMAN
Introduction: King Solomon
• Proverb: oracle, parable, or wise saying
• The majority of Proverbs was written by King Solomon.
• I Kings 4:32 tells us that Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs
• Solomon’s dream (I Kings 3:5-15)
1 Kings 3:12 (KJV)
1 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
Wisdom:
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• Wisdom: is the fear of the Lord; respect and reverence for God and his word
• The wise are those who know God and obey his commands
James 1:22 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
• Wisdom is showing reverence to God, honoring his Word by being obedient to it, and then the Word begins to produce results in every area of your life
• The more you know the Scriptures and practice them, the wiser you become
Proverbs 2:10-11 (KJV)
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion (a plan, purpose) shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Proverbs 4:13 (KJV)
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Proverbs 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 1:23 (KJV)
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Proverbs 3:7 (KJV)
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
• With his God-given wisdom, Solomon writes these proverbs to instruct his children
Proverbs 1:8-9 (KJV)
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
• The law of thy mother: direction, instruction, prophetic teaching, refers to the Mosaic law
Proverbs 6:20-22 (KJV)
20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
James 3:17 (KJV)
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated (to obey), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
• Remember: The instructions Solomon received came from God and His wisdom. This was not earthly wisdom. Divine wisdom was being imparted to Solomon’s children through both of their parents.
Proverbs 31:1 (KJV)
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Who is King Lemuel?
Theory 1: He is an unknown king that Hezekiah possible added Lemuel’s teachings to Solomon’s proverbs
Theory 2: Lemuel is a prophetic name for King Solomon. Any way you look at it, the theme of this chapter is in keeping with everything Solomon said in the previous chapters, “listen to me and obey your mother”.
Prophecy: a burden to be lifted, an oracle, a tribute
The law of thy mother: direction, instruction, prophetic teaching, refers to the Mosaic law
• The king’s mother is giving him words of wisdom that are based on God’s laws
Mother: mother of humans (literally); figuratively as of Deborah’s relationship to the people; Deborah was a judge who ruled God’s people; she had a position of authority to rule or govern the nation of Israel
• A mother is one who has God given authority to rule over and teach her children; she is to be honored and respected
4 Words of Wisdom in the Prophecy that his Mother Taught Him:
1. WORDS OF WISDOM IN THE PROPHECY: STAY AWAY FROM THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN
Proverbs 31:2-3 (KJV)
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Strength: strength, might, power, virtue, valor, ability, force, wealth
• Don’t give yourself (date or marry) to wicked women; A strong, virtuous man must find a strong, virtuous woman.
Proverbs 2:10-11, 16-19 (KJV)
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion(a plan, purpose) shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Proverbs 6:20-28 (KJV)
20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
• The minute you get saved, you become a child of God and you are a king and priest unto God. You are not to be unequally yolked as a child and a king of God
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
• If you are already married and your spouse is not saved, your spouse is sanctified by you, the believer (I Cor 7:14)
2. WORDS OF WISDOM IN THE PROPHECY: AVOID ALCOHOL
Proverbs 31:4-5 (KJV)
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
• Alcohol will make you unwise and cause you to make foolish decisions that will affect the lives of others
Proverbs 31:6-7 (KJV)
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Revelation 22:11 (KJV)
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
3. WORDS OF WISDOM IN THE PROPHECY: DEFEND THE HELPLESS, THE POOR, AND THE NEEDY
Proverbs 31:8-9 (KJV)
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb (stand up for those who have no voice, defenseless) in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
James 1:27 (KJV)
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
4. WORDS OF WISDOM IN THE PROPHECY: FIND A GODLY WIFE
Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous (strong) woman? for her price is far above rubies.
• How can a strong man find a strong woman? 1) Follow your godly mother’s example, 2)Focus on the will of God for your life
• What makes a woman strong and priceless? Wisdom
Job 28:12, 18, 20, 28 (KJV)
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Proverbs 3:13, 15 (KJV)
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 8:11 (KJV)
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 20:15 (KJV)
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge (wisdom) are a precious jewel.
• Why is a virtuous women’s price far above rubies? She is full of the wisdom of God from the Scriptures. A woman’s ability to know God, hear his voice, learn the scriptures, and apply them to her life is what makes her priceless.
31 Signs of a Virtuous Woman (Priceless Wisdom Produced in a Godly Woman):
Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
1. (Righteous and good morals)
2. (Her wisdom is invaluable, priceless)
Proverbs 31:11 (KJV)
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
3. (Trustworthy)
4. (Faithful)
Proverbs 31:12 (KJV)
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
5. (Strives to do good and looks after her family)
Proverbs 31:13 (KJV)
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
6. (Clever, inventive, crafty)
Proverbs 31:14 (KJV)
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
7. (Resourceful home maker)
Proverbs 31:15 (KJV)
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
8. (Manages her household; understands her duties and responsibilities)
Proverbs 31:16 (KJV)
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
9. (Makes good decisions; multiplies her resources)
Proverbs 31:17 (KJV)
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
10. (Works hard and is supportive)
Proverbs 31:18 (KJV)
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
11. (Does things with excellence; produces quality)
12. (diligent in her business)
13. (Watchful over her household)
Proverbs 31:19 (KJV)
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
14. (Skillfull and talented)
Proverbs 31:20 (KJV)
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
15. (Generous)
16. (Merciful)
Proverbs 31:21 (KJV)
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
17. (Fearless; confident because of her labor of love)
18. (Prepared)
Proverbs 31:22 (KJV)
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
19. (Loves decorating her house, to make it a home)
20. (Dresses modestly, respectably, and appropriately for her lifestyle)
Proverbs 31:23 (KJV)
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
21. (Reflection of her husband’s respect)
22. (Protector of her husband’s character and integrity)
Proverbs 31:24 (KJV)
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
23. (Prosperous)
Proverbs 31:25 (KJV)
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
24. (Honorable; highly esteemed)
Proverbs 31:26 (KJV)
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
25. (Wise)
26. (Kind; understanding)
Proverbs 31:27 (KJV)
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
27. (Productive)
Proverbs 31:28 (KJV)
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
28. (Respected by her family)
Proverbs 31:29 (KJV)
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
29. (Excels and strives to please God)
Proverbs 31:30 (KJV)
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
30. (Reverent towards God)
Proverbs 31:31 (KJV)
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
31. (Deserving of her reward and success)
Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.