Proverbs 31: Week 3 | The Wolfe Notes

Our 2023 GROWTH for Today journey guides us through the description of the Proverbs 31 woman. If you haven't joined yet, we'd love to have you. Each month, we're focusing on a different trait of the Proverbs 31 woman; in January, that trait is VALUABLE. Below summarizes where our journey has taken us so far.

• Week one set the background for our study and defined valuable. 
• Week two began our examination of Proverbs 31:10. 

In week three, we are wrapping up Proverbs 31:10 and beginning to look at Proverbs 31:29. What follows are our notes for these valuable verses. (Our personal thoughts are denoted by an *asterisk. Please do not read them as definitive answers; we are seekers too.)

Contents:

Looking at Proverbs 31:10 as Christ's Bride
Godly Wisdom from Proverbs 31:10
Applying Proverbs 31:10

Worship
Reading Proverbs 31:29
A Literal Interpretation of Proverbs 31:29
What is Weird about Proverbs 31:29

Looking at Proverbs 31:10 as Christ's Bride 

• Jesus found us (Luke 19:10) - His virtuous woman - and paid a price far above rubies (1 Peter 1:18-19).
• *In response, the least we can do is:
• Respect Him for the price He was willing to pay
• Recognize the value He assigns to us, His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6 and I Peter 2:9)
• Work toward walking in ways that complement His character (Colossians 2:6)
• Know the rewards that await us through it: unity (John 17:21) and inheritance (Colossians 1:12)

 

*Godly Wisdom from Proverbs 31:10

• God, the creator of wisdom, is hoping you find her because He knows the value.
• God knows the consequences of you not seeking wisdom personally, spiritually, & relationally.
• God expects action on our part. Throughout scripture, we are implored to seek wisdom; it does not just come to us.
• James 1:5 (KJV): If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
• Proverbs 1:7 (KJV): The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• Proverbs 3:13 (MEV): Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.
• Proverbs 19:20 (MEV): Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.
• Ephesians 5:15-17 (AMP): Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.

*Applying Proverbs 31:10

1. In the Past I read this verse pridefully. All fingers pointing at me, all voices declaring, "She's right here! Here's your virtuous woman! Look no further." And you're right, I thought, I am worth more than rubies. Honor my worth. However, a quick glimpse at the remaining descriptors always rattled my cage. Yet, my prideful response remained: "I'm better than most."
2. Presently this verse brings relief. Jesus is that "virtuous woman" (figuratively), I was never expected to be her. I can stop reading this passage with guilt, shame, and hopelessness as I note all the changes I need to make. Instead, I can rest knowing God is making me into this woman and He's faithful; it will happen. What's more, it's still not all on me: you all get to help! Jesus' bride is ALL OF US, together. His church. We were never made to do it on our own.
3. Hope for the Future: That I see more virtuous qualities in myself and others and that I am still seeking my virtuous woman (wisdom) diligently.

*Worship

Lyrics and response to "More Precious than Silver" performed by Paul McClure

"Nothing I desire compares to You."

• Can I say this honestly? When I'm listening to the song and singing along, I believe it's true. But, what about when the music stops? 
• Can I learn to always declare this? When my head fills with desires for perfection, affection, satisfaction, and recognition? Can I learn to shift my focus back to you?
• What if I choose to interrupt my moments of discontent with this song, replacing the gems and metals with the objects of my desire?:
• Lord, you are more precious than (affection)
• Lord, you are more costly than (perfection)
• Lord, you are more beautiful than (recognition) and
  
• Nothing I desire compares to you.
• The goal: to help me remember in times of longing that the only thing worth yearning is God.

Reading Proverbs 31:29 (KJV)

"Many daughters / have done virtuously / but thou excellest / them all."

 

A Literal Interpretation of Proverbs 31:29 

*You are a woman who rises above all the rest.

What is Weird about Proverbs 31:29?

*Why is it so competitive?

• Virtue is an area where we should all strive to be the best. *Even if it is a competition only within oneself. (Woman of Noble Character)
• The danger of not competing could result in acceptance of an average virtue level with no drive to improve.
• Verses that support competition:
• Hebrews 10:24 MEV "And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works." 
• I Corinthians 9:24-25 TLB "In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears."
• To compete, we must practice being virtuous over our lifetime - the extent of our race. We cannot expect results overnight, they are slow coming and may only be seen when reflecting at a complete life. (Woman of Noble Character)
• Galatians 6:9 TLB And let us not grow tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up.
• I Corinthians 9:26-27 "So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside." 
• Only two people get to judge this competition: God and your husband. *I'd argue only God. (Woman of Noble Character)
• Luke 16:15 GW: So Jesus said to them, "You try to justify your actions in front of people. But God knows what's in your hearts. What is important to humans is disgusting to God." 
• Matthew 19:30 KJV: But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
• Stop comparing yourself with others, thereby being your own judge. (Woman of Noble Character)
• II Corinthians 10:12 NLV: We do not compare ourselves with those who think they are good. They compare themselves with themselves. They decide what they think is good or bad and compare themselves with those ideas. They are foolish!
• Galatians 6:4 MEV: But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 
• *Improve in virtue to glorify God.
• I Corinthians 10:31 MEV: Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
• Matthew 6:33 MEV: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
• *You can keep going in virtue building even when it is hard.
• Galatians 6:9 MEV: And let us not grow wearing in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up. 
• Philippians 4:13 MEV: I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.
• *Develop a support team to train you in virtue building. 
• Proverbs 27:17 VOICE: In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our "Wolfe Notes" for week three of the Proverbs 31 character trait: VALUABLE. Follow along with us with the help of our January GROWTH for Today calendar.

I am not in this alone! I was never required or expected to fill this laundry list of virtuous qualities. What a relief it is. No, it is all of us being shaped as Christ's bride that together add up to be His virtuous woman. Why did we ever think we could achieve this on our own?

Yet, I struggle because I want to grow in virtue. I long to be better and I want it now! I know it is a process that takes a lifetime; rubies are not made overnight. With patience and determination, I press on.

I hope you, too, are glimpsing the incredible value God places on each of us. Let's remain in prayer that the Holy Spirit guides us to an understanding of our value - personally, relationally, and spiritually - and keeps our minds open to accepting Truth.

Growing with You,

Ready for Week Four?

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