Proverbs 31: Week 13 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week 13 of our Proverbs 31 journey! This week is about reflection. If you'd like to go back to one of our previous stops, let our "Wolfe Notes" guide you. 

• In January we examined our value with the help of Proverbs 31 verses 10 and 29.
• In February we learned what uplifting means by looking at Proverbs 31:11 and 23.
• In March, we are considering the virtue of respect by studying Proverbs 31:12 and 28.

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your March calendar with daily activities, the lamp for your feet (the Bible), and let's get going! We're journeying through the concluding poem of Proverbs and we're so glad you decided to walk along this road with us! Imagine that as we walk, we're talking about the daily activities. Our side of the discussion is outlined below. What would you add? How would you challenge us? (Ideas that are our thoughts alone are designated with an *.)

Contents:

*Connections of Proverbs 31:12 and 28.
*Altered Definition based on reflections of Proverbs 31:12 and 28.
*I am Respectful because… (personally, intellectually, relationally, spiritually)

*Virtue Review Connecting valuable, uplifting, and respectful.
*Challenges regarding virtue growth.
*Successes regarding virtue growth.
*Define Hardworking and relate the definition personally.

*Connections

of Proverbs 31:12 and 28.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 

Her children will arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28

• She/her: Subject/direct object; Wisdom/earthly wife
• Do/children: 
• What she (wisdom/wife) produces through labor
• Matthew 16:18 CEV: So I will call you Peter, which means "a rock." On this rock I will build my church, and death itself will not have any power over it. (*Wisdom's work/children)
• Him/husband/he: 
• Direct object/subject; Christ to us/us to Wisdom/earthly husband to earthly wife
• Receives good, not evil eternally; Returns praise
• Matthew 25:23 MEV: "His master said to him, 'Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.' (*Christ to us)
• John 12:42-43 NIV: Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. (*We should seek God's praise more than praise from any other.)
• Good/blessed: both denote goodness of God - only from Him
• Days/arise up: living, while on earth, calling, because of Jesus
• Role Comparison:

*Altered Definition

Based on reflections of Proverbs 31:12 and 28.

Respectful: Acting and speaking from an informed mindset of God's handiwork within yourself and others; a willingness to call out God's involvement in all things.

*I am Respectful 

Because...

• Personally: I know I am crafted by the Father, sung over, receiving His praise, standing in His blessing, empowered with His goodness, led, and loved by Him. In so knowing, I am FULL OF RESPECT (awe and wonder) regarding Him.
• Relationally: I see God's image in others - His goodness and blessings in them and through them. I lean into the unique image of God only they can offer to learn, RESPECTFULLY, another aspect of my King.
• Intellectually: I hold every thought captive, surrendering it to God, RESPECTFULLY seeking His Wisdom, His goodness, His life-giving blessings because I know He is the source, and I am not.
• Spiritually: I sit in wonder at your feet. FILLED with RESPECT in Your glory. Humbled that you want me. How I long for others to come here, join me, and truly see YOU in all Your radiance. You alone are good, the breath of life in all that lives, worthy of all our praise. I'm singing: "It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to you only." ("Great Are You Lord" performed by Casting Crowns)

*Virtue Review

Connecting valuable, uplifting, and respectful.

• When we know our VALUE, we can be RESPECTFULLY UPLIFTING to others because we know our own worth is boundless so we can give of our value to others.
• By RESPECTFULLY recognizing the source of our VALUE we can choose to UPLIFT others toward God, the source.
• Being UPLIFTED by God, we can RESPECT others because we understand the VALUE God places on them.

*Challenges

Regarding virtue growth.

My challenges to growing in virtues have been believing I need to grow in each area and choosing to make the change.

*Successes

 Regarding virtue growth.

So far, I have noticed that I have had an easier time:

• Choosing to ignore irritations and loving despite them.
• Staying focused on the good things around me.
• Being gentle with myself when I slide; I am still being made. 

*Define Hardworking

And relate the definition personally.

• Definition (from Merriam-Webster): Constantly, regularly, or habitually engaged in earnest and energetic work.
• *Connections: 
• The descriptor that I do not personally relate to is energetic. 
• Hardworking was a character trait with which I regularly identified, always topping my list. However, I find myself working through some pain associated with the word as I've recently been pointedly called out as someone who is not hardworking.

Final Thoughts

How are you doing in your Proverbs 31 journey? What revelations are causing your spirit to soar? What's holding you back? 

I felt drawn into a deeper awe of God this week by recognizing that by fully respecting Him and the significant good He does in my life, I can more fully respect others. The reality is, though, that I will be drawn away from this. I will still get frustrated by people and fail to show respect. My prayer is that I am swiftly reminded to look for the image of God in them, to find goodness they project that I do not.

Growing with You,

Ready for week 14?

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