(PROVERBS 31)
Wisdom instructs kings and praises the virtuous, wise, and industrious woman.
I. A Godly Mother’s Counsel (31:1–9)
A. Whom she taught (31:1–2): She taught her son, King Lemuel
B. What she taught (31:3–9)
1. The Negative (31:3–7)
a. “Do not spend your strength on women, on those who ruin kings” (31:3).
b. Do not guzzle wine or crave liquor (31:4–7).
2. The Positive (31:8–9): Stand up for the poor and needy.
II. A Godly Wife’s Character (31:10–31)
A. Her worth (31:10, 25, 29)
1. She is more precious than rubies (31:10).
2. “She is clothed with strength and dignity” (31:25): “She laughs with no fear of the future.”
3. She surpasses all other women (31:29).
B. Her works (31:13–22, 24, 27)
1. With her family (31:13–15, 17–19, 21–22, 27)
a. She provides them with proper clothing (31:13, 21): She finds wool and flax and spins it.
b. She plans meals and her day (31:14–15): She brings food from afar and gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast.
c. She is tireless in her work (31:17–19): She is a hard worker, looking for bargains and working late into the night.
d. She cares for and watches over the entire household (31:22, 27): She makes her own clothes and bedspreads.
2. With her finances (31:16, 24)
a. She buys and sells property (31:16).
b. She plants vineyards with her earnings (31:16).
c. She makes and sells belted linen garments and sashes (31:24).
3. With the less fortunate (31:20): She extends her arms to the poor and needy.
C. Her wisdom (31:26): Her words of instruction are wise and kind.
D. Her witnesses (31:11–12, 23, 28, 31)
1. Her husband (31:11–12, 23)
a. Trusts her (31:11): “She will greatly enrich his life.”
b. Knows she helps him (31:12): “She will not hinder him.”
c. Is respected among the city elders (31:23).
2. Her children (31:28): They “stand and bless her.”
3. Her fellow citizens (31:31): She should be publicly praised.
E. Her worship (31:30): She fears and reverences God.
