The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

999

PROVERBS

10. Living to give, instead giving to live (vs 20) The virtuous woman lives to give, be it monetarily ( She stretcheth out her hand to the poor ) or momentarily ( yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy ). Her care and compassion dictate how she lives. She does not shield herself from damaged people, but helps those who have a hard time helping themselves (I Sam 22:1-2, Mt 11:1-5 & 21:14 and Lk 14:7-14). She has found the will of God for her life and focuses on every need but her own ( Gen 2:18b ). NOTE – Whereas some women give to live (prostitutes, gold diggers, pleasure seekers), seeking out only those who can aid them, the virtuous woman lives to give, and like Jesus (Rom 5:6-8) does not limit the people she seeks to aid. The greatest moral thing one can do is to live to give. Question: Do you live in order to give or do you give in order to live? Fix your view on morals (why you live) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 11. Caring enough to plan ahead (vs 21) The virtuous woman thinks ahead ( She is not afraid of the snow for her household :). Why? Because she cares ( for all her household are clothed with scarlet ). To care about how someone appears ( scarlet ) is to care about their future (Josh 2:1-18-21). The reason God gave Israel the Law ( scarlet – Exo 20) is because He cared about their welfare down the road. He knew that if Israel draped herself in the Law ( scarlet ) that her future would be assured (Deut 28). For example:

1. If you’ll drape yourself in the Moral Laws of God, your future will be assured – Exo 22:20 – Nothing sends a person to hell faster than worshipping the wrong god Lev 18:22-24 – Where do you think AIDS originated from ( Gen 13:13 ) Lev 19:29 – Unlawful sex often leads to a life of pain ( Prov 5: 1- 11 ) Lev 19:31 – Messing with fallen spirits is sure to mess you up (Mt 12:43-45) 2. If you’ll drape yourself in the Civil Laws of God, your future will be assured – Lev 20:10 – Unlawful sex often leads to an early grave (Prov 6:32-35) 3. If you’ll drape yourself in the Personal Laws of God, your future will be assured – Lev 20:25 – Personal hygiene makes for a better life ( Lev 13:46 )

4. If you’ll drape yourself in the Ceremonial Laws of God, your future will be assured – Lev 19:3 – Resting in God (observing the Sabbath) will give you rest (Heb 10:25-31) 5. If you’ll drape yourself in the Separational Laws of God, your future will be assured – Num 6:1-8 – People tend to separate themselves from people who are separated. In order to protect yourself you must separate yourself (II Cor 6:14-18). Lev 27 – Keeping your word helps keep you safe ( Eccl 5: 1- 5 ) God cared enough to plan ahead. Do you care enough to do the same? To care about how someone else appears ( scarlet ) is to care about their future. NOTE – Undisturbed by change ( She is not afraid of the snow for her household :), the virtuous person does not wait for change; he anticipates it and prepares for tomorrow by caring today ( for all her household are clothed with scarlet ). Like the ant (Prov 6:6-11), the virtuous person does not have to have a boss standing over him to make him work; he is a self-starter and wise enough to prepare for tomorrow by preparing for the future. Question: Do you care enough to prepare ? Fix your view of might (why you prepare – you prepare because you care) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 12. Dressing to make God look good, instead of yourself (vs 22) The virtuous woman covers herself ( She maketh herself coverings of tapestry ). Why? Because she cares about the appearance of God; how He looks through her ( her clothing is silk and purple ). This is what makes the virtuous woman so rare. Mike Murdock in The Proverbs 31 Woman notes: Many women are afraid that their intelligence will go undiscovered, their sincerity undetected, their integrity undiscerned; so they package their body to create a relationship based on physical desire. 2 Dressing for God… that doesn’t happen everyday, especially when it comes to women. Many women, unfortunately, dress to gain attention. Others, sadly, dress to ignite lust and to stimulate pursuit. However, the virtuous woman dresses to be chaste, not chased ( SOS 1:7b ). She “covers” herself for God, not herself. She cares about why she looks how she looks, because she cares about God ( I Tim 2:9a , b , 10 and I Pet 3:1-4). The virtuous person dresses appropriately; his “designer” clothing points to his Designer. He combs his hair, brushes his teeth, and smells good. Why? So God looks good (Rom 12:1-2). We are to strive to “look” right just as much as we are to strive to “live” right. Question: Is your appearance all about you or is it all about God ? Fix your view on morals (why you look the way you do) and you will become “priceless” (virtuous; something that will not be sold because it cannot be sold). 13. Living to see others honored, instead of yourself (vs 23) The virtuous woman honors her husband ( Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land ), even when she doesn’t “get it.” The virtuous woman may not understand all her husband does, but she cares how others view him. In essence, she cares about his reputation, not hers. She does not honor him by what she says , but by what she does (Isa 29:13/Mt 15:8 and Mk 7:6).