Wisdom Personified
Proverbs 31:10-31
December 14-15, 2024
Proverbs 31 is famous for describing what is called oftentimes the Proverbs 31 woman. By all appearances, he is describing a virtuous, excellent wife, far beyond all comparison, which I think from my perspective becomes the problem. He describes a wife far beyond all comparison, and any woman who tries to compare herself to the Proverbs 31 woman is going to be very discouraged and depressed because no one can live up to these expectations. No one can become the complete Proverbs 31 woman. I'll show you what we're going to look at.
Consider the standards of excellence and virtue outlined in Proverbs 31. Number one, she becomes the source of wisdom for her husband, such that he trusts in her wisdom and his businesses are therefore always successful. Number two, she always does her husband good and never speaks a cross word to him all the days of her life. Which reminds me of a funny story.
Husband wasn't feeling well, so the husband and wife went to the doctor, and he did a big examination and work up. Afterwards he said to the wife, "Can I speak to you privately in my office?" She goes, "Of course, doctor." They go back to his office and the doctor says, "Listen, your husband is very serious. He has hypertension, it's very serious. He could die. He got way too much stress, and listen, you need to bring all this stress out of his life. Basically, here's what you need to do. Just whenever he says, just agree with it. Let him always be right.
Bring him his newspaper and his slippers in the morning, and just prepare his favorite meal all the time. Just be intimate with him whenever he wants to. Basically, just spoil him. Just bring all the stress out of his life. That's what you need to do. This is serious. He could die. Do you understand?" She's, "Yes, I understand completely. Thank you, doctor." They go out to the car and the husband says to her, "What was that about? Why did he want to speak to you privately? What did he say to you?" She said, "I don't know how to tell you this, but he said, you're going to die."
Back to Proverbs 31, "She always does her husband good and never speaks a cross word to him all the days of her life." Number three, not only does she make her own clothing for herself and for her family, she makes her own cloth, and then she makes clothing from that cloth that she made. Not only that, as she's working her fingers to the bone with spindle and beam, she does so delightedly. Now, wait, there's more. Not only does she make clothing for her whole household, she makes linen garments that she sells on the open market. She's got a little cottage industry going on. She even supplies tool belts to the tradesmen.
Number four, she is like merchant ships bringing in food from faraway places. In other words, she brings in the finest imported food and then while it's still dark, she gets up early in the morning and prepares food for her whole household. Number five, apparently she doesn't need much sleep because she also stays awake late into the night. Actually, I think that's when she does all the sewing.
In the morning, she's busy preparing food for her family. What's interesting is that although she has maidens to help her, she does all the work. Who knows, maybe the maidens are out working in the factory making clothing. Who knows? Number five, she's strong. She's physically strong, which means she either works out at the gym or she chops all the wood. I think she chops all the wood.
Number seven, she's also an investor. She considers a field, buys it, and then from her earnings, probably earnings she made in the factory of making clothing. She takes her earnings, and then she plants a vineyard on the property that she purchased, and then she receives great gain. She's a great investor. Number eight, because of her dignity and honor, her husband is one of the most respected leaders in the land, sitting at the gate as a city elder. Number nine, her children are so well-behaved and so respectful that they rise up and call her blessed, and so does her husband who says, "You excel above them all." Now, other than that, she's pretty boring.
There are many biblical scholars who believe that Proverbs 31 was not written as a standard for which all women should desire to achieve, because frankly it would be impossible. No, this is Hebrew poetry. Remember, this is poetry, beautiful Hebrew poetry. Many biblical scholars believe that Proverbs 31 is wisdom personified. Wisdom is described as an excellent, virtuous wife who will bless you all the days of your life.
Wisdom is personified in several places in the Proverbs. Therefore, it's a poetic way of expressing wisdom in a beautiful way as seen in several places. For example, Proverbs 8. "Does not wisdom call, does not understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand beside the way where the paths meet, beside the gates, at the opening of the city, at the entrance of the door.
She cries out, "To you, oh men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. Listen, and I will speak noble things. The opening of my lips will produce right things. Counsel is mine. Son, wisdom is mine. I am understanding and power is mine. I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me." In another place in the Proverbs, he wrote, "Say to wisdom, you are my sister. Say to understanding, you are my intimate friend." He uses wisdom as a person.
In Proverbs 9 he speaks of wisdom personified again when he says, "Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out seven pillars. She has prepared her food and she has set her table. She sends out her maidens to call from the tops of the heights of the city. Whoever is naive, let him turn in here. Come eat off my food, drink of the wine I've mixed, forsake your folly and live and proceed in the way of understanding."
These verses in Proverbs 31, in many way could be considered the grand finale. He has over and over throughout the Proverbs been speaking of wisdom and foolishness. That those who would take hold of wisdom will be blessed all the days of their life. Oh, it will bear fruit. It will come back to you in glorious gain, but those who do not take hold of wisdom, those are the foolish ones, they will suffer the consequences thereof.
Proverbs 31 presents wisdom as an excellent, virtuous wife. Hold wisdom dear to your heart, and it will completely change the way you live your life. Wisdom will bear fruit and will bless you all the days of your life. All right, let's read it. Proverbs 31, we begin in verse 10. "An excellent wife who can find, her worth is far above jewels." This is again a theme that the value of wisdom is greater than silver or gold or fine jewels or the finest, purest gold. If you had a choice between purest, fine gold and wisdom, pick wisdom because it is of greater value to you than gold. It's a principle.
I. Trust in the Excellence of Wisdom
Verse 11, "The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. He is successful, his businesses are as successful," and on." Verse 12, "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and for flax and works with her hands in the light. She is like merchant ships, bringing her food from a farm. She arises while it is still night and gives food to her household. She gives portions to her maidens even. She considers the field and then buys it, and then from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good, and her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her hands grasp the spindle." These are the tools by which you make cloth. "She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She's not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household
are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself. Her clothing is fine linen and purple."
By the way, purple was very, very expensive. The only way they could make purple coloring was to harvest these particular snails out of the Mediterranean and they would get one drop of coloring and such that only the wealthiest could wear purple. She, "Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates. He sits among the elders of the land." He's one of the great leaders. "She makes linen garments and sells them. She supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her lips. She looks well to the ways of her household. She does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband does also, he praises her, saying, "many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."
She's the greatest of all the women. "Charm is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates. All right, What a great passage, filled with the grand finale of wisdom. There's much for us to take hold of it, applying to our lives. Starting with this, notice in verse 11, "The heart of the husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain." In other words, trust in the excellence of wisdom. Wisdom is excellent in its counsel. The heart of the man trusts in this wisdom. Like a virtuous wife speaking wise words, this wisdom informs his business sense. He makes wise business, financial decisions and has no lack of game.
Verse 12 speaks to it also. Wisdom will do him good all the days of his life. Always good, Always good. Always edifying. Wisdom will do this. Wisdom will bring forth great results. They are great principles. This kind of wisdom. This godly wisdom. In other words, this is a very practical aspect of wisdom. This kind of wisdom, is meant to be both practical and spiritual. There are many practical Biblical principles that are meant to be spoken into every aspect of life. There are many practical Biblical principles to guide your financial business decisions and those who trust in that wisdom will find financial gain.
For example Proverbs 21:20. "A wise man saves for the future, a foolish man spends whatever he gets." Okay, we know that already. That is a great reminder of the principle of wisdom. A wise man saves, a wise man thinks about what he's going to need for the future. A foolish man, whatever he gets, he spends it all. We know that. It's a good wise principle. Proverbs 13:11, "Wealth gained by vanity will dwindle, but whoever gains it or gathers it little by little will prosper." Right? Rather than trying some, great scheme, no, he gathers it little by little.
A. Wisdom brings diligence in life
There's something to be said about the steadfastness. Just that steady, steady gathering little by little. This is about choosing the course in which you will live your life. Those who trust in God's wisdom, this kind of wisdom from God's heart, they take that wisdom and let that wisdom speak to their heart like an excellent wife speaking words to her husband's heart. He is the one who has chosen the good path. For he shows us in not only this proverb, but all throughout the Proverbs, that wisdom brings diligence of life. Notice for example verses 13 and 14. Wisdom looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in the light.
She is like merchant ships bringing food from afar, she rises while it's still night, giving food to her household. In other words, the wisdom in these verses is that good old fashioned hard work leads to prosperity. There are many, many proverbs. We've seen it particularly at our Wednesday verse by verse service, where many proverbs speak of the diligence, of hard work. Like wisdom speaks to diligence of life. We can call it work ethic.
I've said many times that Christians ought to be the best employees that a company has, because they understand that wisdom brings diligence of life. For example, Proverbs 10:4, "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes wealth." Not only diligence in work and life, but skillful in work. For example, Proverbs 22:29, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings and not before obscure men." Wisdom says, be skilled at whatever you do. Now notice that this proverb can be applied to mean that wisdom is more than just diligence in work or diligence in life.
B. Wisdom brings spiritual diligence
There's a spiritual diligence that will bring no lack of gain spiritually. In other words, wisdom brings spiritual diligence. There are many proverbs that speak to that. Of the importance of applying yourself in the pursuit of wisdom. Like the beginning of wisdom is get more wisdom. We've all understood, we've raised our hands over there. How many people want more wisdom? Yeah we want more wisdom. He says wisdom brings a diligence that you would pursue it. Right? Apply yourself to the pursuing of wisdom. You'll need it. You will need it for the storms and the troubles that will come in every life.
Life is filled with trouble. Life is filled with storms. You're going to need this wisdom. Like for example, Proverbs 2:4. "If you seek wisdom, like people seek silver. If you search for wisdom, like people search for hidden treasures, then you will be able to discern the revering of the Lord." You will be able to understand the depth of the understanding of what it means to revere the Lord. It is a critical understanding for the beginning of wisdom is the revering of the Lord. It is the foundation from which our wisdom is laid. You will then discover the knowledge of God, For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
There's a New Testament verse like it, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is inspired by God, breathed by God and it is profitable. It will bring you great gain, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction." It will keep you on the right course. It will correct the course of your life.
For training in righteousness, you're going to need it, you're going to need this in the day of trouble in the day when the storms arise you're going to need this. "Training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, and equipped ready for every good work." Spiritual diligence. I was thinking of an illustration seven years ago. For Father's Day, my wife gave me a book called The Compleat Gentleman. I'm sure she was not hinting at anything. No, she knows I love history. It was a history book about the history of being a gentleman. It goes back all the way back to the days of knighthood and on into the modern days of what it means to be a gentleman.
One of the aspects I read in this book that really caught my attention, it resonated with me, was this, that the book said. That a gentleman, again, in the history of being a gentleman, says a gentleman, masters whatever he does. I thought there is a Biblical principle here. Particularly, it was speaking of the fact that in the days of knighthood and all, that men would have to carry a sword strapped to their side and they would always be at the ready, never knowing when they would need to defend their family or whatever. They were dangerous times.
Man carried sword but he never knew when he would need it, therefore a gentleman masters whatever he does. Whatever he puts his hand to, whatever he puts his skill to, he masters it and particularly, the sword. Therefore, he would practice that sword fighting, that sword playing every day not knowing when he would need to use it. Now there is a practical spiritual application. The word of God is the sword of the spirit. Therefore you would be
well advised. Be ready. You're going to need that for the day of trouble.
Notice, for example, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent." Same idea, same principle. "Be diligent to present yourself a proof to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." Be ready with the sword, the word of the Spirit. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Be ready. You're going to need it. See we are living in days where this is becoming a necessity. We need to be skilled, especially in the word of God, particularly the prophetic word of God.
To be able to discern, to see, and understand the signs of the times. For example, Jesus said this in Matthew 16:2-3, "Jesus replied to them, "When it is evening, you say it will be fair weather for the sky is red. In the morning you say there will be a storm today for the sky is red and threatening." Now, by the way, we have a very similar saying. "Red at night, sailors delight. Red in morning, sailors take warning." We have a saying. We understand. Jesus said this for a reason. Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky but cannot discern the signs of the times?
He meant it as a as a call to discern, to be spiritually diligent so that you have the wisdom to be able to discern. In that day, the signs of the times were right before their eyes. God has sent his Son. God has sent the Messiah. God has sent the king of Israel and the king of the world but they would not see it. Jesus was sent by God and the blind could see, and the lame could walk, and the deaf could hear, and the dead were raised from the grave. By His word of His power, demons would be cast out. By word, He would speak by authority, the wind and the waves would obey His voice.
The signs of the times were right before their eyes but they refused to see it. Jesus gave the signs of the times of the latter days in Matthew 24 and 25 so that we would be spiritually diligent to be on the alert to watch, be ready. To be on the alert means to be spiritually diligent. Wisdom brings spiritual diligence because history is unfolding before our eyes, prophecy is unfolding before our eyes. There is a new world order that is unfolding before our eyes that is aligning exactly with what we see in Scripture. That's why we give these prophecy updates so often because they're so important that we would be spiritually diligent.
II. Wisdom Smiles at the Future
Those who are wise, make ready their lives. That's why notice it says in verse 25, "She smiles at the future." This is very interesting. "Strength and dignity or her clothing and she smiles at the future." Now, firstly, this needs to be rightly understood. This does not suggest that wisdom assumes or presumes on the future. No, it does not, most certainly not. In fact, in the Proverbs and in the book of James both places warn against presuming on what will happen in the future. For example, Proverbs 27:1, "Do not boast about tomorrow you do not know what a day may bring." James 4:3-14, "Come now you who say, oh, today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. Instead, you have to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that." Wisdom smiles at the future does not mean that wisdom presumes on the future. No. Wisdom smiles at the future means that by wisdom, this wisdom, this wisdom that comes from God, you do not need to be afraid of what lies ahead. You can face the unknown. We don't know. We don't know what tomorrow may bring. We don't know what the future holds but we can know who holds the future. This is what wisdom does. It brings a confidence in faith, a confidence in God.
A. Wisdom is not afraid of the snow
We know God. We know how He moves. We know that He will be with us, then He will be strengthening us, that he'll walk with us in the journey of this life. We don't know what lies ahead, but we know that our God goes before us. See wisdom smiles at the future. Notice how he says it in verse 21, "Wisdom is not afraid of the snow." I love that perspective. Wisdom is not afraid of the snow. Notice verse 21. "She's not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet." Wisdom prepares for the cold. She's made garments that are warm, and her house is ready. She's thought forwardly. It's going to snow. It does snow in Israel. Jerusalem is quite high. It snows in Israel.
In fact, I remember one time we went to Israel, we were at Mount Hermon, and there was snow there. My wife threw a snowball right at me. That just shows you, there's snow in Israel. Also shows you her character right there. No, wisdom is not afraid of the snow, because she's made ready. See, wisdom prepares the house. Wisdom speaks about spiritual diligence to prepare everyone in the house. She makes ready their hearts so that wisdom will be there when you need it. You're going to need it. This world is filled with troubles. You're going to need it. Wisdom will be there.
Proverbs 2:11, "Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil. These are troubled days. You're going to need it. Wisdom will be there. The Holy Spirit will speak a word to you. It will be there when you need it. Now, we live in the Northwest and we certainly understand about the necessity of preparing for snow. We haven't had our snow yet, but it's going to come. You've got to be ready. We know that you've got to cover your faucets, or they'll freeze and they'll bust, and then you're going to have more troubles than you can imagine.
It's a spiritual analogy. Wisdom considers the future. That's one of the things we've seen. It's woven throughout the fabric of the Bible. Wisdom considers the future. Wisdom prepares in advance. Wisdom sees the outcome. If I move in this way, it will bring this outcome. If I do this, it can bring that outcome. Wisdom thinks forward, it ponders, considers in advance. Winters comes, storms arise, cold wind comes from the north. It's one of the great aspects of wisdom. Consider the insight. Storms and troubles are part of life. You're gonna need it. Be spiritually prepared in advance. It says, we read it before, a wise man is strong.
There's a spiritual strength that arises, strengthening the inner man, a foundation is laid that you are prepared, spiritual diligence makes ready the heart for the storms and the difficulties and whatever challenge you may face. There's a New Testament story that unfolds and I think illustrates this very well. We read, one day, a man came to Jesus and said, "Now teacher, I brought my son, who is possessed with a spirit, which makes him mute, and whenever it sees him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth.
Now, I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do it." They brought the boy to Jesus, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit threw him into convulsion, and falling to the ground he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. Jesus said, "How long has this been happening to the boy?" The father responded, "Since childhood. It has often thrown him into the fire and into the water to try to destroy him." Then the father says, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus said, "If you can, all things are possible to him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father cried and said, "I believe but help my unbelief." Now I think right there many can relate to that, that which the Father said. "I believe, but I need to believe more." Help my unbelief. I need more. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and he came out of the boy, and the boy became completely still, so much so they thought at first he was dead but Jesus took him by the hand and raised him.
He got up. Later, the disciples questioned him privately and said, "How could we not drive it out?" Jesus replied, "This kind cannot come out by anything but by prayer and fasting." Which is interesting because in that whole story that unfolded Jesus was not fasting and He did not pray. Jesus was referring to the spiritual bearing of fasting and prayer in a person's life such that he's prepared for spiritual victory. There is in advance that fasting and that praying that the soul is strengthened in the presence of the living God. A wise man is strong. This is the abiding in the Spirit. This is the abiding in the nearness of God.
B. The teaching of kindness is on her lips
In other words, don't wait for the storm and then begin to prepare. It's too late then. Storm's already hit. No, you got to prepare. Wisdom prepares with spiritual diligence to lay a foundation because storms are going to come and you need to make ready your life. Then later, and lastly, I love these verses in verse 25 and 26, "The teaching of kindness is on her lips." What a great way to finish. Verses 25 and 26. "Strength and dignity are her clothing. She smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her lips." Beautiful. See, wisdom brings strength and dignity because wisdom is beautiful on the soul, out of that dignity and out of that strength, there is a kindness, kindness of soul.
She opens her mouth in wisdom and teaches kindness to everyone around her. She teaches and speaks kindness to her children. Kindness is always on her lips, very important. Where does kindness come from? It's very, very important. It's an aspect of spiritual character. Where does kindness come from? In fact, we read in Proverbs 19:22. What is desirable in a man or in a woman is his kindness. It is highlighted. It's one of the great aspects of God's presence on your life. Where does kindness come from? It comes from that beautiful work that God does on the soul. Wisdom abides beautifully on the soul. Wisdom brings a beautiful dignity, honor, strength of life, strength of faith and wisdom abides beautifully on the soul.
That's where kindness comes from. It is very much like in the New Testament where in Galatians 5, it speaks of the fruit of the spirit. There is, wisdom bears fruit in your life because wisdom abides beautifully. The Holy Spirit brings fruit. The abiding of God's presence by the Holy Spirit is beautiful, abiding beautifully on the soul. That's where it comes from. For example, Galatians 5:22, "The fruit of the spirit is love." God is love and those who abide in the nearness of God. The presence of God abides beautifully. God is love and you dwell in that nearness of God. You dwell in that love. You can't help it. Love will abide in you.
The Holy Spirit of the living God abides beautifully upon the soul and brings forth the dignity, the honor and the kindness. The fruit of the spirit is love and joy. Jesus says, "My joy I give to you." The Holy Spirit abides beautifully, such that joy abounds joy to the full comes from God's presence. Peace, an abiding peace. Peace that passes understanding abides beautifully. Patience, if you know anyone who is very patient you know that it's a beautiful aspect of character, patience, kindness, it's here again, kindness, it's so important. Where does it come from? It comes from the abiding of God, beautifully and the soul. Kindness, goodness.
We would say goodness of heart, beautiful faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against those things. There is no law, we've put in many times Jesus said, "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth what is good." You see it because wisdom abides beautifully. The Holy Spirit abides beautifully, dignity, honor, character of life, character of God, kindness. Notice it's an interesting thing we see, now kindness comes back to you. It's like that beatitude. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive, comes back to you. Grace, you pour forth grace, comes back to you. Good man, out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what's good and it comes back to you.
Kindness comes back. That's why it says in verse 28, "Her children rise up and call her, blessed, so does her husband. He praises her saying, "Many daughters have done noble, but you excel them all." Comes back to you, praise for her character and kindness comes back. Finally, the proverbs end as they began. Verse 30, "Charm is deceitful. Beauty is vain. A woman who reveres the Lord, she shall be praised." This is a wise, wise verse that all should take hold of in women. Charm deceitful, beauty vain. The revering of the Lord is a whole another thing altogether. All Godly wisdom begins and ends with your revering of the Lord. We've seen it.
The beginning of wisdom is the revering of God. It means to place God in that place of highest honor in your life. That's what it means. The revering of God is the beginning. Revival is the foundation on which all godly wisdom is built. He delights to pour His Holy Spirit. He delights to pour His godly wisdom in those who place God in that place of heist honor in their lives. Revival is the foundation of all godly wisdom. We want more wisdom. We need it, but we cannot miss that the foundation of it is that revival, that revering of God, but a beautiful understanding ending to close the book. Father, we truly honor you. Thank you. What can we say? Wisdom abides beautifully.
Transforming lives with the dignity of God. The honor that comes from the Spirit. The qualities of wisdom seen in life are highly desirable. God, we need more wisdom. We need to be strengthened in the inner man by the, the wisdom of God pour out. Church how many would say to the Lord today, I want wisdom like that. I want to honor you like that. I want revival in the soul such that wisdom would be put out. I need that wisdom. I want to honor you. I want to know what it means to honor you. I want to know what it means to revere you. I want revival. Church is that your heart in prayer?
Would you just raise your hand to the Lord as a way of saying that's my heart, that's my desire. I want that God, do that in me. Father, thank you for everyone who steward of the Spirit drawn to you, desiring that you would abide beautifully on the soul. Transform us by your presence oh God we pray in Jesus' name and everyone said- Amen.