The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

996

PROVERBS

both verses point to the use of alcohol for “medicinal” purposes, not social purposes. Note the two reasons why the use of alcohol in ancient times was prescribed: 1. As a pain killer ( him that is ready to perish – vs 6) 2. As a sedative ( those that be of heavy hearts – vs 6; remember his misery no more – vs. 7)

These verses point to a “medicinal” use, not a merry excuse to drink alcohol ( Eph 5:18 a and I Tim 5:23). For a biblical commitment to total abstinence –listen to Dr. Johnny Hunt’s sermon Should Christians Drink ? 1 31:10a The virtuous woman does exist. She can be “found.” However, she is not easily discovered, for she doesn’t even respond to the same kind of man the average woman responds to. Mike Murdock in The Proverbs 31 Woman notes: This kind of woman is rarely found, because it is a very rare man who is capable of discerning her among the others. 2 The virtuous woman thinks differently than the average woman. What makes an average woman stressed (agitated) makes the virtuous woman still . What makes an average woman seething (angry) makes the virtuous woman serene . What makes an average woman sour (bitter) makes the virtuous woman sweet . The reason the virtuous woman is so hard to detect is because the average man isn’t looking for her. It’s hard to find what you’re not looking for. 31:10b If virtue’s price is far above rubies, then virtue becomes “priceless” (something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold – Prov 4:7 ). Thus, those who value what God values (virtue) will keep from selling-out to the world, the Devil, and the flesh. One of the reasons our Lord didn’t fall prey to the Devil, the world, and the flesh (Mt 4:1-10) is because He was full of virtue. This word ( virtuous ) comes from the Hebrew word chayil and can mean “ strength or substance or to conform to a standard of right .” Chayil (pronounced khah-yil) is translated into more than twenty different English words 3 and always deals with one of three subjects: Thus, how we value money , might , and morals will determine whether we keep from selling-out to the world, the Devil, and the flesh. According to the Bible, a virtuous person is one who is well-rounded in all three of these areas (Prov 12:4 & 31:10,29). The beauty of Proverbs 31 is that it takes all three areas ( money - Prov 31:11,16,18,24, might - Prov 31:13-27,31, and morals - Prov 31:10,12,20,23,25-26,30) and defines for us what it means to become “priceless” in God’s sight. According to Proverbs 31, the following eighteen characteristics concerning money , might and morals sum up what it means to be virtuous : 1. Being a blessing to others financially, instead of a burden (vs 11) The virtuous woman is an asset to others around her ( The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her ), not a liability ( so that he shall have no need of spoil ). Question: Do you give more than you get or vice-versa? Are you always looking for a handout or do you extend your hand out to others? Your view of money will determine whether or not you will sell-out to the world, the Devil, and the flesh. The virtuous person “sees” himself as spiritually rich (II Cor 8:9), even though he may be poor financially ( II Ki 4:2 ), emotionally ( II Ki 5:2 ) or physically (II Ki 7:1-10 and III Jn 1-2). The virtuous person will always be a blessing to others, instead of a burden. NOTE – Since God owns everything (Psa 50:10-12), we must trust Himwith every-thing, including how we handle our money (Mt 6:19-34 and Gen 12:16 ). Question: Do you live to give or do you live to gain ? ( Lk 21:2 ) Fix your view of money (why you give) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 2. Living to see others succeed, instead of yourself (vs 12) The virtuous woman lives to see others flourish ( She will do him good ), not fail ( and not evil ). She understands that all five parts of the O. T. Law deal with how we love God (Moral laws, Personal laws, Separational laws, and Ceremonial laws) and how we love our neighbor (Civil laws), not how we love ourselves ( Mt 22: 34- 39 ). According to Matthew 22:34-40, the law was written for the sake and “ success ” of others. Thus, people with virtue make life about others and live to see other’s succeed, instead of them selves ( Josh 1:8 ). NOTE – Living to see others succeed is a moral attribute of God (Jn 3:16 and Lk 19:10), called goodness. According to the Bible, we are to praise God for fifteen things. One of those fifteen things we are to praise Him for is His goodness (Psa 107:8,15,21,31), which deals with one of His seven moral attributes called faithfulness (Mt 5:44-45). Faithfulness is being good to others who may or may not be good to you. Question: Do you live for others or do you live for yourself ? Fix your view on morals (how you live) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 3. Willing to work, instead of having to work (vs 13) The virtuous woman “wants” to work ( She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands – Eccl 9:10). She understands that God created work to be a blessing to mankind, not a burden –for God never intended “work” to be a dirty four-letter word. Interestingly enough, it is what God asked man to work at first that has been man’s problem ever since (Gen 2:7-9,15-16). The very first “work” that God wanted man to do was to please Him and “work to eat” (to learn to live for the day). If God can get us to “live for the day, instead of the dollar” then He’s got us following His Word. And if He’s got us following His Word, then He’s got us doing His will (Mt 4:4 & 6:19-33). According to Genesis, the very first work that God wanted man to do had nothing to do with building a family or subduing 1. money (Gen 34:29, Num 31:9, Deut 8:17,18 & 33:11, Ruth 4:11, I Sam 9:1, etc.) 2. might (Gen 47:6, Exo 14:4,9,17,28 & 15:4 & 18:21,25, Num 24:18 & 31:14, etc.) 3. morals (Ruth 3:11 and I Ki 1:52)