Proverbs 31 – This is it! Our last chapter of Proverbs together. Thank you so very much for joining me on this journey! Hopefully, you’ve caught the Bible bug with me and you’ll continue digging in to God’s Word for yourself, and of course, more series will be on the way soon!
If you never got to read my thoughts as a whole on the book of Proverbs yet, you’ll want to do so here. This isn’t a comprehensive look at each verse, but it is how God spoke to me through particular chapter of His Word at this particular chapter in my life. I encourage you to read the full chapter in your own Bible first so you can see how God wants to speak to you through this chapter, and so you don’t miss out on the verses I didn’t cover. I hope it can speak to you as well, and I hope you are encouraged to seek Him in His Word. And if you missed Proverbs 30, you should also check that out here. Otherwise, on to the final chapter of Proverbs!
Many scholars believe that Lemuel, mentioned in the first verse, is still Solomon, and the following chapter are words that his mother, Bathsheba taught him. And beginning in verse 10, Jewish tradition holds that the verses were written by Abraham in memory of his wife Sarah*, or they could also be directly from Bathsheba to her son, Solomon. Either way, it is a rich and beautiful chapter, whoever wrote it, but I think the possible history of where it comes from is also interesting.
31:8 – Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate. Speak up, judge righteously, defend the cause of the poor and the needy (CJB). This is as rousing a verse as any to make our voice heard and stand up for those who need to be defended. Prayer – God, let me never become deaf to the cries and needs of those around me, even when they cannot cry out. Teach me to see people with your eyes, to really see them, and see what they need. Show me tangible ways to fight for others. Give me opportunities to minister to the poor and to those who are oppressed, both personally and monetarily.
The Capable Woman – you should definitely read verses 10-31 first if you haven’t. And if you haven’t, then go on! Read them! Don’t worry. I’ll wait.
Okay, so glad you’re back. These verses are so exciting to me as a woman. It makes me want to run out and go do everything and build things and mend things. It’s just so empowering. So, I specifically want to just call out all the verbs in this passage, paraphrasing so that we can apply these verses to everything we do, regardless of the wool spinning and the clothes making – we’re not going for a Martha Stewart persona here.
The Capable Woman – Her Identity
31:10-11 – Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far beyond that of pearls. Her husband trusts her from his heart, and she will prove a great asset to him. Ladies, this is us! This is our identity and the promise that God gives us, whether we are married or not – this is how much God values us! We are capable and noble and valuable daughters of the King!
31:25 – She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future (NLT). Yes! That is us! Prayer – God, show me what it looks like to live my life as a woman clothed in strength and dignity. Give me that courage and boldness to live out what you have called out in me. Teach me to fear you alone, and have no fears in this world in the present nor the future.
The Capable Woman – Her Purpose
The capable woman works to bring good and not harm (v. 12). She procures things she needs and works with willing hands (v. 13). She brings provision no matter how hard she has to work or how far she has to go and she leads those in her care well (v. 14-15). She evaluates opportunities and sows into those opportunities to make them flourish (v. 16). She gathers her strength around her and throws herself into her work (v. 17). She works hard with her fingers and hands, but those same hands are gentle and caring to care for little ones, and the poor, and those in need around her (v. 19-20). When it snows, she has no fear for her household; since all of them are doubly clothed (v. 21 – I don’t know whether this is something that we can read into this verse, but I like to imagine the ‘double clothed’ is physical clothing along with the spiritual clothing of the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18). She brings honor to her husband (v. 23). She makes and sells and supplies – no task is below her (v. 24). When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely; on her tongue is loving instruction (v. 26 – God, let that be true of me! I love that this is the first time that the capable woman is mentioned speaking. Not from the standpoint that women shouldn’t be allowed to speak – but that it holds true with everything else that Proverbs talks about. Let our actions precede our words. Let what we do speak louder than our words. Listening well and staying silent will increase our wisdom and keep us from saying things we regret. Everyone notices how hard and well she works, and that gives credibility and weight behind her words when she does speak. I could certainly learn a lesson in that.) She makes sure that things work as they should in her house – spiritually, emotionally, and physically, and she is not lazy when things are out of place and need to be corrected (v. 27). She is praised by her family, and they bring her joy (v. 28-29 – God, let that be true of me. Let my actions be deserving of joy and praise.) Charm can lie, beauty can vanish, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. Give her a share in what she produces; let her works speak her praises at the city gates (v. 30-31) Prayer – God, let that be my legacy. Let these verses be how I live out my life every day. Give me the strength and perseverance and motivation to be this capable woman.
Friend, I have prayed these same prayers over you today. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). I pray you continue to seek God’s face and wisdom in his word.
Until next time,
– Just a girl pursuing her reflection in the mirror of God’s Word
Unless noted otherwise, all scripture quotations are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 and 2016 by David H. Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
*Found on page 1116 of the CJB