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An excellent wife

March 23, 2009 in Proverbs with 1 Comment

Probably the most well-known long section of Proverbs is the very last part in Proverbs 31:10-31. It goes by various titles: “Virtuous Woman”, “Excellent Wife”, etc. The first verse sets the tone for the poem:

Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

In this ode to the woman every godly man desires, I find several key character traits that help her be that “wife of noble character.”

1. She is trustworthy (vs. 11-12)

The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.

2. She works hard for her family (vs. 13-15)

She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

3. She understands business (vs. 16-19)

She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.

4. She is kind (vs. 20)

She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

5. She plans ahead (vs. 21)

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.

6. She looks good in public and can mingle with the upper class (vs. 22-23)

She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

7. She is strong, wise, and can handle authority (vs. 24-27)

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

8. Her family admires and supports her… (vs. 28-29)

Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her: “Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!”

9. …and so does everyone else. (vs. 30-31)

Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

 

Who can find this kind of wife? I did!

My excellent wife

My excellent wife

Proverbs 31

March 19, 2009 in Proverbs with 0 Comments

The last chapter of Proverbs is best-known for its section on the “virtuous wife” – that ideal woman of dreams. But she is actually the third of three sections in chapter 31.

Like in chapter 30, we know nothing of Lemuel or his mother, except that he was a king and that God’s people recognized him/them as speaking God’s truth here and kept this together with the rest of God’s Word.

Lemuel’s mother taught him three things that he would find necessary when he became king (and we find necessary in our lives, too):

1 – Keep your mind strong (31:3-7)

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed,and remove from all the poor their legal rights. (31:3-4)

Whether they will admit it or not, everyone knows that alcohol is a mind-altering drug. No doubt it affects people in different ways – some more, some less. But those who say, “It doesn’t affect me” don’t realize the power that it has. Just ask the guy who’s 24 years sober, yet still going to AA meetings religiously.

Lemuel’s mother’s advice is right on – drink affects your mind, so don’t drink when you’re going to be needing your mind. In a king’s case (or president, governor, etc.), that could be at any time, so he shouldn’t drink at all.

Who should drink according to Lemuel’s mom? “The one who is perishing…those who are bitterly distressed” specifically for the purpose of forgetting their current troubles.

But before you go get drunk to forget your troubles, ask the guy in AA why he stopped 24 years ago.

 

2 – Stick up for the little guy (31:8-9)

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa

Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

This is a recurring theme in God’s Word. In the Old Testament Law, he set up very specific guidelines for taking care of “the poor and needy” (Leviticus 19:9-10) and the prophets took up the cause as well (Isaiah 1:17). The apostles practiced it in the early days of the church (Acts 4:34-35), and Paul commanded that it continue to be done through the church (1 Timothy 5:3-16). James even went so far to say that is the true meaning and purpose of religion as far as God is concerned (James 1:27).

What are you doing to stick up for the little guy? Need some ideas? Check out Hope Ministries and see how you can volunteer.

 

3 – Marry wisely (31:10-31)

Here’s the section we all know and love. Let’s spend some time together on it in my next post.

Proverbs 30

March 17, 2009 in Proverbs with 1 Comment

The last two chapters of Proverbs are sort of appendices to the rest of the book. Solomon seems to have compiled the first 24 chapters personally. Hezekiah had his guys put together 5 more chapters that Solomon didn’t include. But these last two are completely different.

First, we don’t know anything about the writers (Agur, Lemuel’s mother) or the recipients (Ithiel, Ukal, King Lemuel). Secondly, the proverbs are more like paragraphs than short, pithy sayings.

So, here are some thoughts from chapter 30.

Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar. (30:5-6)

Many people are familiar with the prophecy of Revelation 22:18-19 that someone who adds to or subtracts from the Revelation (sometimes misapplied to the entire Bible) will be severely punished.

The results in Proverbs 30 don’t seem nearly as harsh, but the point remains the same – don’t put words in God’s mouth. Don’t try to make him say something he never said. This is actually the point behind the third commandment (Exodus 20:7), which I will be teaching on at OTCC later this spring.

There is a generation who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.

There is a generation whose teeth are like swords and whose molars are like knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among the human race. (30:11-14)

Four times Agur says, “There is a generation.” From the description, it seems to me like this is a recurring “generation”, and ours is no different.

Consider the national decay that a generation with these morals will bring:

  • no respect of parents; probably includes rebellion against any authority
  • no sense of right and wrong; they think they’re “pure” because they can’t see their own “filthiness”
  • no humility; rather than locking eyes and looking at people, they look down on or away from them
  • no compassion for others; their response to the “poor” and “needy” is to get rid of them so they don’t mess up the scenery (read: euthanasia, abortion-on-demand, etc.)

This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have not done wrong.” (30:20)

I know this can be taken a couple of different ways, but here’s how I read it. I get the picture of the adulterous person (woman or man) as a predator feeding off of their victims. Think vampire. When they’re done with the “meal”, they calmly wipe their mouths, look up, and say, “What?”

Under four things [the earth] cannot bear up…an unloved woman who is married… (30:23)

Wow – this one caught me off guard. Of all the things nature could abhor, a married woman unloved by her husband? Remember, the Bible is God’s very own heart and mind written down for us. What does this tell us about him? What does this tell me about me?

Proverbs 29

March 12, 2009 in Proverbs with 0 Comments

More thoughts on government today in Proverbs 29. (I hope someone on the White House staff reads my blog.)

 

When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. (29:2)

A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who exacts tribute tears is down. (29:4)

The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge. (29:7)

If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked. (29:12)

If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever. (29:14)

Many people seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one receives justice. (29:26)

Proverbs 28

March 11, 2009 in Proverbs with 2 Comments

One proverb and a few thoughts this morning:

A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich. (28:6)

A lot of people are upset with Bernard Madoff because of the money he stole in that big scam recently. They’re mad at the economy because their savings and investments are worth much less than before (mine are 50% down right now). Many have a hard time believing that it will come back better than before.

What if it doesn’t? Could you be OK with that? What if you never get back your investments? Will you keep your integrity? Madoff lost his trying to get rich. Let’s not make the same mistake. God’s Word doesn’t change. Keep saving and giving as before, and God will bless your wisdom and faithfulness.

 

There are several proverbs in this chapter that have to do with government. They all have the same basic concept – when wicked people rule, the masses become poor and run away; when righteous people rule, the masses rejoice (28:2, 12, 15, 16, 28)

Now you can believe what you want about politics and policies – who’s right and who’s wrong. But here are the facts that have been rolling around in my head these last few days:

  1. Human government can not be perfect, because it is run by imperfect people – regardless of the party in charge. Every administration and congress makes mistakes – get used to it. We must pray that our leaders make wise decisions. But whether we like them or not, unless they require us to do something contrary to God’s Word, they are the rule of law under which we must live.
  2. Human government can not make everyone happy. There are over 300 million opinions in our country alone about how our government should be run. If you think you have a better plan – run for office. I might even vote for you. But know that even you can’t make everyone – or anyone – happy all of the time. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is right.
  3. Human government is temporary. In America it changes every two years – the entire House, one-third of the Senate, and state-level politicians. Every other two-year cycle might bring a new president. So no matter how good or bad you think we have it right now, it’s temporary. Only God’s rule and God’s work will last forever, so be sure you have him as your focus and priority. America will not last forever.

Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

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