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Proverbs Book #31 with Commentary
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NOTE FROM CHIP: This is
the last Book of Proverbs, and
the last post to this particular blog.
I have endeavored to keep all the other posts 'pure' - e.g. have nothing posted here except the actual Books of Proverbs (NKJV) and the Commentaries from Matthew Henry's collection.
Since this is the last Book - and it's quoted so often these days - I included
both the Book and the Commentary here in one post.
Proverbs 31 is at times used in the Church of today as a model for a
'super-woman' - and you'll occasionally hear someone say,
"She's a Proverbs 31 woman."I used to think there was no such woman. Then I was incredibly Blessed to marry one. She went to be with the Lord on 2/5/05 and she is surely missed by everyone who knew her. But those of us who knew her (and know the Lord) also know it's just a matter of time (
for us) until we see her again.
MY POINT: There ARE Proverbs 31 women on the earth today. You just have to find them.
I hope this Proverbs blog has Blessed you - and continues to Bless people as you send people to see it. Proverbs' widsom is timeless. This blog is also avalable as an email series you can send out. If you're intrested in getting a copy, please email me at
Chip@FirstContactSecrets.com, and put "Your Proverbs Email Series" in the subject line. God Bless you today ...
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PROVERBS 31“The Words of King Lemuel's Mother”
The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son
of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to
that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to
drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the
justice of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine
to those who are bitter of heart.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his
misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of
all who are appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the
cause of the poor and needy.
“The Virtuous Wife”
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.
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her
life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with
her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food
from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides
food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits
she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her
arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her
lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her
hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches
out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all
her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine
linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits
among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies
sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice
in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is
the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does
not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her
husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman
who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own
works praise her in the gates.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary - Chapter 31An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties.
(1-9) The description of a virtuous woman.
(10-31) Verses 1-9 When children are under the mother's eye,
she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those
who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching
they received when children.
The many awful instances of promising characters who have been
ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to
avoid these evils.
Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is
good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule,
due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the
dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and
self-sufficient.
All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other
men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to
plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest
dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of
consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice
who are in the deepest distress.
Verses 10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those
days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation.
She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem
and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her.
1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for
him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business
to do him good.
2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in
them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early.
She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business.
She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not.
3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent
management. Many undo themselves by buying, without
considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her
house. She lays up for hereafter.
4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige
all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her.
5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely
and cheerfully.
6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she
governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent
measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of
love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the
tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are
most busy about this world.
7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God,
nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many
a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning
in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever.
8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments.
She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was
not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come.
She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree
must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise
her.
Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God;
and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments.
This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly
beloved and respected, useful and honourable.
This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be
applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse?
God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true
believers, to possess all the excellences here described.
God Bless you -
Chip Tarver
“The B2B Relationship and Product Launch Pro”
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