Proverbs 31 - Good thoughts by Pastor Sam
Proverbs 31 thoughts
by Pastor Sam Powell
FEBRUARY 18, 2020 · 8:27 AM
You can find the original article here.
Pastor Sam brings excellent insight into the main point of Proverbs 31. Hint: it isn’t mainly about the paradigm for a great or perfect wife.
Here’s a thought I’ve been having.
The first 9 chapters of Proverbs are a sermon (all connected) about the value of gaining wisdom. If you have wisdom, you are blessed of God and are delivered from the snares and traps of foolishness (wickedness of every kind). I preached on that theme here.
Because of the curse on the world, our default state is wickedness. We are ensnared by sin of every kind, our nature is attracted to its allure – the allure to be as God knowing good and evil. This results in the works of death – rage, reviling, fornication, adultery, covetousness of every kind, and so on…Until we find ourselves caught and unable to get free. “Not knowing that it is for our life”.
The concept of wisdom is personified as a wise woman calling from street to street – come to me and live.
The concept of folly is personified as the harlot, also seeking to ensnare and enslave humankind.
It isn’t about men versus women; it is about wisdom versus folly. Which one will you hear? Where will you turn in? Whose call will you answer?
If one has wisdom, one is protected from the woman “folly”.
(Proverbs 7:4-5) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.
This has a far deeper application that simply keeping one from the allure of fornication.
As you read through these nine chapters, you see that Lady Wisdom actually delivers you from Lady Folly. One is the path of life and the other is the path of death.
Get wisdom.
And the wisdom of God was made flesh and dwelt among us. The wisdom of God is a person, our Lord Jesus, who calls us to himself, fills us with his spirit so that the fruit of the spirit may be seen in us.
This is what Proverbs is about. Get wisdom, and your life will look different than if you remain in folly. One path ends in death and ruin. The other in life and prosperity.
So, all of that to say this: How does Proverbs end?
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. (Pro 31:10-11)
Perhaps Proverbs 31 isn’t about Lori Alexander at all. Maybe it isn’t even talking about the ideal Victorian “Proverbs 31 woman”.
I think that the compiler of the proverbs ended the book with this poem on purpose and that it isn’t random. Since the book opens with that sermon on the value of gaining wisdom, personified as “Lady Wisdom”; the book ends the same way. “Get wisdom. Her price is above rubies.”
As a brilliant poem, a metaphor of wisdom, with depth and beauty, the whole book is summed up. “Do you wish to be wise and understanding? Get wisdom.”
The book begins here:
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.
(Pro 3:13-18)
And ends here:
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
(Pro 31:10-11)
So the application is here – Nabal married a wise woman, but it did him no good, for he was a fool. He never married “wisdom”.
In order for you to prosper and no longer be a fool, you must marry wisdom. Wisdom will guard you from the Woman “Folly”.
So marry wisdom. Her price is above rubies.
Or, in New Testament terms – “Come unto me, and I will give you rest”.
Again, it is about Christ.
The Proverbs 31 woman is Christ. And you – whether man or woman or child – are called to marry her. The advantages are incalculable.
Of course, when you marry Christ, you begin to look like Christ. So the hard-working, kind, loving, honored, blessed, prosperous “woman” becomes your model to follow – but this isn’t just for women, for it isn’t just women who are called to follow Christ. This is for all who profess his name.
Most of the time, we need to lift our eyes a little higher. The gospel sets us free.