Proverbs 31: Week 21 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week twenty-one of our Proverbs 31 journey. This week we interpret what it means to clothe your household in scarlet and how it protects you from the snow. If you'd like to return 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 considered the virtue of respect by studying Proverbs 31:12 and 28.
• In April, we trained to be hardworking with Proverbs 31:13 and 19 as our instructors.
• In May, we are seeing what it takes to be resourceful by examining Proverbs 31:14 and 21. 

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your May 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:

Commentaries Reading what others say about Proverbs 31:21.
*As Christ's Bride how we apply Proverbs 31:21.
*Look at Roles to consider practical applications of Proverbs 31:21.

*Godly Wisdom What we learned about God from Proverbs 31:21.
*Application of Proverbs 31:21 from past, present, and future perspectives.
*Activity Listing fears and pairing them with the armor of Christ.
Worship with "Peace Be Still" performed by Hope Dorst

Commentaries

Reading what others say about Proverbs 31:21.

All the following commentaries are found at Bible Hub.

• Ellicot: not uncommon to snow; color suggests warmth and comfort.
• Benson: any injuries of weather, not just snow; provided more than enough (our daily bread) - necessities that delight and adorn
• Barnes: scarlet was a double textured fabric, so possibly warm
• Gills: garment of justification or robe of righteousness and sanctification (inner & outer clothing, like wool and flax). Christ is our hiding place - "a covert from the storm, a sufficient shelter from the cold of snow"; Snow signifies vindictive wrath and justice of God; clothing screens us from malicious insinuations and reproaches of man; scarlet is the blood of Christ that leads to justification of the church (Romans 5:9); the entire household of Christ is covered and so justified by Christ's active and passive obedience; if so clothed, then of course coarse and suitable garments would also be provided to protect them from the cold.
• Pulpit: Shanim (Hebrew word for scarlet) derived from a verb meaning to shine (*light of the world); fears not the severity of temptation or the chill of unbelief when her children take refuge in the blood of Christ
• *Conclusions: Practically, she provides, exceeding expectations for every possibility. Spiritually, we are wrapped in Christ's righteousness by his sacrifice, so that we may have no fear of judgement. temptation or unbelief.

*As Christ's Bride

How we apply Proverbs 31:21.

As Christ's Bride, we:

• Submit by putting on the clothes He's provided to us.
• Respect Him by trusting He has us covered. Fear not!

Because He:

• Leads us by providing His eternal protection.
• Loves us by sacrificing himself to secure our future.

*Look at Roles

To consider practical applications of Proverbs 31:21.

A Helper: 

• Submits by:
• Fully embracing the life she's positioned in 
• Staying alert and guarding against potential dangers to her household.
• Respects her husband by:
• Trusting he works to make decisions for good. 
• Refusing to dwell in fear about worries concerning him because she knows God is at work within him.

A Keeper:

• Leads by providing for the needs of his household spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, intellectually.
• Loves by sacrificing his wants to secure the future of his household.

*Godly Wisdom    

What we learned about God from Proverbs 31:21.

1. God does not want us to live in fear.
2. He wants us to be aware of potential dangers and guard ourselves and others against them.
3. He provides all we need to guard against these dangers and live without fear, all we must do is accept His robe of righteousness.

Sidenote: Research supports the concept that love deactivates fear. By wrapping ourselves in God's love (through Christ's robe of righteousness), we effectively lessen our perception of fear.

*Application

Of Proverbs 31:21 from past, present, and future perspectives.

• In the past, I regarded this verse SARCASTICALLY. "Oh, that's nice. They had warm clothes. What wife wouldn't do that?" 
• Now, this verse FLOORS me. I am covered in His love. I have nothing to fear. Any circumstance I face, God is with me through it. There is a battle raging for my soul, but my household and I are already claimed. We're wearing God's colors!
• In the future, I hope to LIVE IT OUT. I hope to find myself walking in confidence fully knowing there is nothing to fear because God is with me. I'm wrapped in His love.

*Activity

Listing fears and pairing them with the armor of Christ.

• That members of my flock will lose faith in God by caving to peer pressure and the lusts of this world. I can defend against this fear using the shield of faith to trust that they are in God's hands and the sword of the Spirit which effectively cuts through the deceitfulness of this world.
• That tragedy will strike, and I will lose one of my beloved. Should this happen, I will depend on the belt of truth to hold me upright and protect my vulnerabilities while the shoes that bring the gospel of peace keep me going.
• That we're not doing enough. That we're staying sheltered in comfort instead of reaching out in love. To combat this fear, I remember my feet are clad with shoes that are ready to bring His word wherever I go, and the breastplate of righteousness is fastened securely over my heart where I keep His word so I might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). And it's through His word, not my deeds alone, that God acts. (Deuteronomy 8:3, Jeremiah 15:16, Isaiah 55:11, John 5:38, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Worship

with "Peace Be Still" performed by Hope Dorst

This song serves as a great reminder and action plan of how to escape a cycle of fear.

1. Know that troubles will come, but they don't have to bring fear. ("I don't want to be afraid every time I face the waves.")
2. Remind yourself trouble is conquerable. ("These waves are only waves; You are greater than [the storm's] roar")
3. Commit to letting go of fear. ("I'm not going to be afraid")
4. Trust His voice. ("Say the word and I will set my feet upon the sea till I'm dancing in the deep.")
5. Live in faith. Choose to believe. ("Let faith rise up. Oh heart, believe.")
6. Let God handle it. ("Peace be still.")

*Connection: When the snow (trouble) comes, we do not have to fear for God clothed us in scarlet (righteousness).

Final Thoughts

Too often I am held captive by fear. By picturing myself in His scarlet robe, I too can confidently sing "I'm not gonna be afraid!" for God covers me. No matter what happens, His love surrounds me. Not just me, but everyone in His household.

When fear creeps in, Father, warm us in your scarlet robe. Make us brave!

Growing with You,

Ready for week 22?

Sample these related posts:

Why would a resourceful person bring food from a far?

Does God care about the food I eat?

Should I be seeking wool and flax?

Does love really conquer all?

How do I decide what choice to make?

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