Lesson 28 of 28
I. OTHER GOOD PEOPLE CONTINUED
THE WISE SAYINGS OF AGUR
The book of Proverbs contains nine chapters of good advice from Solomon to his sons. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit and so his advice is good for all God’s family.
The same is true of Proverbs chapters 10 to 29 which includes hundreds of proverbs written by Solomon or by other wise men, Proverbs chapter 22.17 to Proverbs chapter 24.34; or spoken by Solomon and written by the men of King Hezekiah, a descendant of Solomon, Proverbs chapter 25 through to chapter 29.
The last two chapters of Proverbs contain the words of another wise man, Agur, the son of Jakeh; and of a wise woman to her son, Lemuel, who was a king.
Agur started his words in a humble way, in fact, he did not claim to be a “wise man” at all. Some men were known as wise men (1 Kings 4.31 - For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about) but perhaps Agur was a younger man, like Elihu, Job 32.6 - And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
1. Agur himself, Proverbs 30.1-9
Proverbs 30:1-3 - The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have th e knowledge of the holy. Agur spoke these words to two men but he did not claim to be wise. He had never studied wisdom and he felt more like a dumb animal. He was not a priest and did not claim to know the holy things of God. Still he was guided by the Holy Spirit and God has preserved his teaching along with that of Solomon and the other wise men. Paul also was very humble about himself, 1 Corinthians 15.9 - For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God; 1 Timothy 1.15 - This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save s inners; of whom I am chief, yet he spoke the words which the Holy Spirit gave him, 1 Corinthians 2.10 - But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God; 1 Corinthians 2.13 - Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Proverbs 30:4-6 - Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Agur had learned some very important things about God. He knew that no man had ever gone up to heaven and then come back to earth. True, Satan planned to go up into heaven and become like God, Isaiah, 14.13-14 - Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. Enoch and Elijah went to heaven without dying and Elijah came to earth to talk to the Lord Jesus. The Lord Himself first came down from heaven and then returned, John 16.28 - I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father; Ephesians 4.9 - Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Only God can control the forces of nature all over the earth, Job 26.8 - He bindeth up the waters in hi s thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. His name is Jehovah and He has a Son. We know His Son from the New Testament but the-Old Testament also teaches us a little about the Son, Isaiah 9.6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; Daniel 3.25 - He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Even with the New Testament we cannot fully understand the relation between the Father and the Son, Matthew 11.27 - All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. God has revealed Himself through His Word, and His Word is pure, Psalm 19.8 - The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. God’s Word will never fail and He keeps all His promises. He will surely protect those who trust His Word. The Word of God is perfect and man must not add to it. The Pharisees added their teaching and put it on the same level of authority as God’s Word, but this was very wrong, Mark 7.7 - Howbeit in vain do they w orship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. God will add His judgments to those who add to His Word or take from it, Revelation 22.18 - For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
Proverbs 30:7-9 - 7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Agur prayed to God and asked for two things which he desired to have through his whole life. He wanted to tell the truth at all times and especially as he wrote down these words of wisdom. He certainly did not want to be guilty of adding his own words to the Word of God.
We have read some proverbs of Solomon about truth and lying. Another thing Agur really wanted, that the Lord would make him neither poor nor rich, but just give him what he needed every day, Matthew 6.11 - Give us this day our daily bread. Agur’s great desire was that he should not sin against the Lord, Psalm 119.11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. If he were rich he might forget the Lord and be proud. If he were poor he might be tempted to steal and dishonour God by using His name in vain. We should pray that we do not fall into temptation and sin, Luke 11.4 - And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
2. The wise sayings of Agur, Proverbs 30.10-33
Agur spoke four proverbs something like Solomon’s - Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty; Proverbs 30.17 - The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it; Proverbs 30:32-33 - If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife, but the rest of the chapter contains six lists of four things each. (Solomon used a similar method when he listed seven things which the Lord hates, Proverbs 6.16-19 - These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren, and Amos later spoke of three and four sins of seven different nations, Amos 1.3 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron; Amos 1:6 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom; Amos 1:9 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant; Amos 1:11 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever; Amos 1:13 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border; Amos 2.1 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime; Amos 2:4 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked; Amos 2:6 - Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes.
Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. No one should accuse another man’s servant unless he is sure he has all the facts. You would be ashamed if the servant could prove you were wrong. More proverbs about servants are listed in earlier lessons. We should be careful not to say something wrong about any of Christ’s servants, Romans 14.4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Proverbs 30:11-14 - There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. Here Agur described four kinds of people:
1. Those who do not give honour to their own fathers and mothers.
2. Those sinners who think they are really righteous.
3. Those that are very proud of themselves.
4. Those who rob poor people.
Agur puts these four groups of people together because they are all wrong in God’s sight.
Proverbs 30:15-16 - The horse leach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. There are four things never satisfied, really five.
The leech is a small insect which will suck blood out of a man or an animal. Here it is a picture of a person who is always asking for money or anything else.
There are four other things which are never satisfied:
1. Death. No matter how many people die there is always room for more.
2. A woman without any children. The women of Israel always wanted to have children, so they kept asking their husbands as Rachel did, Genesis 30.1-2 - And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
3. Dry earth. The earth can soak up a lot of rain water and never seems to have enough until there is a flood.
4. A burning fire. A fire will spread through dry grass or buildings, like a person who is never satisfied.
We should be satisfied with what we have, Philippians 4.6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God; 1 Timothy 6.8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Proverbs 30:17 - The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. The Bible says we should show respect for our father and mother, Proverbs 30:11 - There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. Here Agur said that God would punish those who do not obey. They would die in battle and not be properly buried, so the birds would eat their bodies.
Proverbs 30:18-19 - There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. The wise man could not understand four wonderful things:
1. How can a great bird fly so high?
2. How can a snake move so quickly without any legs across a bare rock?
3. How can a sailing ship move through the water against the wind?
4. How do two people, man and woman, fall in love with each other?
Proverbs 30:20 - Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. It is also hard to understand the attitude of a sinful woman. She breaks up the love of a man and his wife by tempting him into sin, then she says she has done no wrong. Solomon taught a lot about such women in -
Proverbs 2.16-19 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life;
Proverbs 5.3-21 - For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings;
Proverbs 6.23-35 - For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts;
Proverbs 7.4-23 - Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came
I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life;
Proverbs 9.13-18 - A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Proverbs 30:21-23 - For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; 23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
There are four kinds of people-whom we cannot appreciate, who are hard to love:
1. A servant who somehow becomes a king. He will probably be very proud and hard.
2. A fool who becomes rich. Many proverbs show what God thinks about those
who refuse His gift of wisdom.
3. A woman who is an enemy of all others. She may become very proud when she finally gets married.
4. The same is true of a servant girl who takes the place of the one who has controlled her for a long time. God hates pride, Proverbs 6.17 - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.
Proverbs 30:24-28 - There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. There are four wise little creatures from whom we can learn lessons. Wise men studied animal life as well as human life, 1 Kings 4.33 - And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes, and here Agur tells us what he found out, as also in Proverbs 30:29-31 - There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
1. Ants show how wise they are when they store up food for the winter, Proverbs 6.6-8 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
2. Some little animals are wise enough to live in holes in the rocks so larger animals cannot catch them. Christ is the Rock of our salvation and abiding in Him we are safe.
3. Locusts travel together in great numbers. They have no leader but move forward in the same direction. We have our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, and should work together at His command.
4. Spiders and lizards are very small yet they find their way into the palace of the king. We are small in God’s sight yet someday we will be in His house, John 14.2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Proverbs 30:29-31 - There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Finally there are four beings which can move in a wonderful way.
1. The lion is the king of animals and walks straight ahead without fear.
2. Some dogs can run very fast and are beautiful to watch. In this verse some translations use the word rooster and this bird appears very proud as it walks among the other chickens.
3. A he-goat also seems proud as it runs or walks with other goats.
4. These three characters are pictures of a powerful king who has a strong army and is not afraid of any enemy.
He is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes back in power and glory.
Proverbs 30:32-33 - If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Agur’s last proverb is a warning to anyone who is planning to disobey the king. Proud persons should think carefully about what they say. They may try to make themselves important and stir up trouble.
The result will always be more trouble for themselves.
I. OTHER GOOD PEOPLE
THE WORD OF KING LEMUEL AND HIS MOTHER CHAPTER 31
Every mother has this important duty, teaching her children the right way. We do not know who Lemuel was or when or where he lived, but we know his mother gave him some wise advice. So in the beginning of Proverbs we have the words of a father to his son; at the end the words of a mother to her son.
Proverbs 31:1-2 - The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? King Lemuel's mother taught him these things and the Holy Spirit led him to write them in God’s Word. She appealed to him as her dear son whom God had given her.
Proverbs 31:3 - Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It was common in those days for a king to have more than one wife. Some kings spent more time with their wives than they did ruling their kingdom. It is not sinful to be married to a Christian man or woman but those who love the Lord must put Him first in their lives, 1 Corinthians 7.28 - But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
Proverbs 31:4-7 - It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Then King Lemuel wrote
down his mother’s good advice about drinking wine. Kings and all leaders should avoid the use of alcohol in any form. It makes them forget the laws of God and do many foolish things, Proverbs 23.31-33 - Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Kings and judges should have clear minds so that they can make correct decisions. Perhaps alcohol helps people to forget their troubles but later it only brings more, Proverbs 23.29-30 - Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. We should look to the Lord to help us in time of trouble and we should pray, James 5.13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Sometimes wine will help a sick person but far more often it is bad for the health. It is our wonderful privilege to be filled with the Holy Spirit and sing songs of praise to the Lord, Ephesians 5.18-19 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. This is true joy.
Proverbs 31:8-9 - Open thy mouth for the dumb 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. King Lemuel’s mother also warned him to judge fairly and to help poor people. Lower judges might condemn a man to death and a king might be able to get all the facts and save this person. The king should speak up at the right time. He should also save poor people from unjust treatment.
Proverbs 31:10-31 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
A GOOD WIFE
There is a great deal about evil women in the first nine chapters of Proverbs but the book ends with a song in honour of all good women. There are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew language and each verse in this section begins with a different letter in the right order. Other parts of the Old Testament are written in this way. For example, Psalm 119 and Lamentations 1-4. Perhaps Lemuel wrote these verses, we do not know, but the writer speaks about the good woman.
1. She helps her husband, Proverbs 31:10-12 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She is worth more to him than riches and precious stones. He can trust her fully, not like the man in Proverbs 6.34 - For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He does not have to fear that she will spend all his money and make him poor. She will stay with him all her life.
2. She is a hard worker, Proverbs 31:13-19 - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She works with her hands, Proverbs 31:13 - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands; Proverbs 31:17-19 - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff; also Proverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She provides food for her family, Proverbs 31:14-15 - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens; she gets up early, Proverbs 31:15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens, and works late at night, Proverbs 31:18 - She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She earns money and can buy more land, Proverbs 31:16,24 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She is strong, Proverbs 31:17 - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms, wise and kind, Proverbs 31:26 - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
3. She saves her money and provides for her family, Proverbs 31:20-24 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She has enough money so that she can be kind to others, Proverbs 31:20 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She provides clothing for herself and her family, Proverbs 31:21-22 - She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband can afford to spend time helping in the affairs makes enough cloth to sell some and earn more.
4. She is honoured by all, Proverbs 31:25-31 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. She wears nice clothing, Proverbs 31:22 - She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple, but is known for good works, Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.; 1 Timothy 2.9-10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works; and for kindness, Proverbs 31:26 - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.. She cares for her family and they call her blessed - Proverbs 31:27-28 - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Her husband thinks she is the best wife in the world.
What is her secret? Truth, she works hard, but faith is in the Lord, not a pretty face. She has earned her reward and the whole city knows it.
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God...(Acts 20:26,27). “Come now, let us reason together...” (Isaiah 1:18).
