The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS PROVERBS The virtuous person desires what God desires, which is to honor others before self (Phil 2:1-8 and Jn 8:49-54). Thus, the virtuous person wants what God wants because it means something to Him, whether he “gets it” or not. Honoring others has nothing to do with understanding them or what they want (Mt 21:28-32). To honor others is to honor (in order of importance): 1. The Lord (I Sam 2:29 and Dan 4:34,37), which includes all three members of the Triune Godhead (Mal 1:6 and Jn 5:23). We are to honor the Lord: a. with our substance; our tithes and offerings (Prov 3:9) b. by honoring teaching pastors (I Tim 5:17) c. by honoring widows (I Tim 5:3) d. by honoring employers (I Tim 6:1 and Prov 27:18) e. by honoring each other and not fighting (Prov 20:3 and Jn 13:34-35) f. by searching out a matter; by not making quick decisions (Prov 25:2) g. by practicing humility (Prov 29:23) h. by our life (I Thess 4:3-4) 2. Our brothers and sisters in Christ (Rom 12:10 and Mt 12:46-50), especially those who are weaker (feeble – I Cor 12:21-26 and Rom 14:1) and those who fear the Lord (Psa 15:1-4) 3. Our spouse (Esther 1:20), especially the wife (Gen 2:24 and I Pet 3:7) 4. Our parents (Exo 20:12/Mt 15:4) 5. The elderly (Lev 19:32) 6. Others (I Pet 2:17) 7. Instruction and correction (Prov 13:18) Question: Do you live to be honored or do you live to honor others ? Fix your view on morals (how you honor others) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 14. Finishing what you start (vs. 24) The virtuous woman completes what she starts ( She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant ). Note the progression… She maketh . She selleth . She delivereth . She does not start a project unless she is committed to its completion; she is a master at following through. The virtuous person is a finisher; he finds a way to finish (Exo 17:8-13). Finishing what you start takes dogged determination, and is required of every believer who longs to “follow” Jesus ( Lk 9:57 -62). NOTE – People aren’t finished because they get defeated (Jn 19:30 and II Tim 4:7); they’re finished because they quit ( Prov 2:10 & 24:16 ). Question: Do you finish what you start or do you start and never finish ? Fix your view of might (why you must finish what you start) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 15. Wearing the Lord, instead of wearing out (vs. 25) The virtuous woman “carries” the Lord on her person, not the back of a t-shirt ( Strength and honour are her clothing ). She “wears” both the joy of the Lord ( strength – Neh 8:10b ) and humility ( honour – Prov 15:33 & 18:12) wherever she goes, and leaves the results to God ( and she shall rejoice in time to come – I Cor 15:58 and Lk 14: 1- 7 -14). Sadly, instead of wearing the Lord by serving Him ( Isa 40:31 ) and practicing humility (Prov 29:23) many believers simply “choose” to wear out ( Acts 13:13 ). The virtuous person, however, chooses to wait on the Lord (to serve His interests in humility – Acts 16:22-25); it is a moral choice that he makes (Josh 24:14-15). Question: Do you choose to wear the Lord or do you choose to wear out ? Fix your view on morals (why you choose to do what you do) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 16. Saying what you mean without being mean (vs. 26) The virtuous woman is prudent ( She openeth her mouth with wisdom ) and in her mouth kindness rules ( and in her tongue is the law of kindness ). She is a student of Scripture, for wisdom can only come from God (Prov 2:1-6). She “fears” the Lord (Job 28:20-28, Prov 1:7 & 9:10), which means she “keeps His commandments” (Deut 4:5-6, Psa 111:10 and Eccl 12:13), giving Him the “last say” in her life. The virtuous person yields to his Creator, for kindness is an attribute that can only come from the Lord (Gal 5:22-23, Psa 25:6 and Isa 54:8). A person with virtue speaks the truth in love (Eph 4:15); he says what he means without being mean (Prov 15:1). Question: How do you talk? Do you talk to help or do you talk to hurt ? Fix your view on morals (how you say what you say) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 17. Placing the welfare of the family above self (vs. 27) The virtuous woman LIVES for family ( She looketh well to the ways of her household ); thus a day off is not a part of her schedule ( and eateth not the bread of idleness ). Family means EVERYTHING to her; thus she is sacrificially committed to their success, placing the welfare of the family above self. According to the Bible, God has five families that He is sacrificially committed to; and He is dedicated to each of them… chronologically: 1. His immediate family (Gen 1:1,26 & 3:22 & 11:7 and Isa 6:8) God is so dedicated to His own immediate family that He favors them above every other family (Psa 2 and Mt 12:46-50). 1000