The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

1001

PROVERBS

2. His creative family (angels, humans – Rev 12: 10- 12 ) God is so dedicated to His own creative family that He was willing to salvage them all, even those that refuse to be salvaged (Isa 14:12-14 and II Pet 3:9/I Tim 4:10). 3. His national family (Mal 3:1-3) God is so dedicated to His own national family, to the only nation He ever birthed (Isa 44:2,24 & 46:3 & 49:15 and Rom 9:1- 4), that He was willing to salvage them before salvaging anybody else (Mt 10:5-6 and Rom 1:16). 4. His church family (Eph 5:25) God is so dedicated to His own church family that He personally sacrificed Himself in order to salvage them (Acts 20:28). 5. His birth family (Lk 2:41-51) God is so dedicated to His own birth family that He personally asked others to care and provide for them (Jn 19:25-27 and I Tim 5:8). Like God, the virtuous person cares more about how the family fares than he fares (Rom 12:10 and Gal 6:10). NOTE – God LIVES for family; thus a day off is not a part of His schedule (Psa 121:1-4). Family means EVERYTHING to Him; thus He is sacrificially committed to their success, placing their welfare even above His own (Jn 3:16 and Rom 8:32). Question: Are you dedicated to your family’s welfare or to your own ? Fix your view of might (who’s welfare you’re interested in the most) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 18. Working from the inside out, instead of the outside in (vs 30) The virtuous woman refuses to build relationships based upon the external ( Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain ); she builds from the inside out not the outside in ( but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised ). Proper relationships should always be built on “godly” character (SOS 1:4) rather than “goodly” complexions (SOS 1:5-6). Women should long to be chaste, not chased (SOS 1:7). The virtuous person wants what God wants; he wants others to succeed, for their success becomes his success (I Thess 2:19). Question: Do you live from the inside out or from the outside in ? Fix your view on morals (why you live how you live) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). NOTE – In order to keep from selling-out for a price we must learn what it means to become “priceless” (something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold); we must learn to be “virtuous” ( Prov 4:7 ). 31:11 A husband with a virtuous wife does not have to worry about supplying her wants ( so that he shall have no need of spoil ), only her needs. Why? Because the virtuous woman is more “valuable” (far above) to a man than his money, thus his financial achievements are no longer the trophies of his worth. She is. 31:12 The virtuous woman brings out the “best” in a man ( She will do him good ). 31:14 In those days merchants’ ships brought spices and a variety of foods from many parts of the world. Like God (who loves variation… just look at the animal kingdom), the virtuous woman understands versatility and recognizes that sameness breeds boredom and destroys spontaneity . She knows that her husband’s needs may change in a moments notice. So like a ship that travels from port to port, she is ready to move. She is ready for change. In fact, you probably won’t find the virtuous wife wearing the same pajamas every night, with the same missing button and the same torn pocket. Variation matters to the virtuous woman, for she is acutely aware that change can happen at any moment. 31:15 Time matters to the virtuous woman, thus her schedule is precious; she is very sensitive about “mastering her day” ( while it is yet night ). 31:16 The virtuous woman does not make “quick decisions” ( She considereth a field ); she is not an impulsive purchaser ( and buyeth it ). Whereas a lot of women enjoy money, the virtuous woman invests it. 31:18 Sometimes you have to expend energy on things you hate ( her candle goeth not out by night ) in order to create things you love. Learn to sow the seed of time, for things that are worthwhile take time (Lk 2:21-38 & 19:11-19 and I Cor 15:58). 31:22 The virtuous woman “ maketh herself coverings, ” that is, she “covers” herself for God; she dresses herself for Him.

1 Hunt, Johnny. Should Christians Drink?. September 14, 1997. (Audio) 2 Murdock, Mike. The Proverbs 31 Woman , Dallas, TX, Wisdom International, 1994. Print. 3 Wigram, George. Englishman’s Hebrew-Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament , Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Book House, 1980. Print. 4 Compass GML (Internet devotion– July 21, 2011)