Proverbs 31: Week 24 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week twenty-four of our Proverbs 31 journey. Join us as we apply rising early and consider silk and purple clothes. 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 saw what it takes to be resourceful by examining Proverbs 31:14 and 21. 
• In June, we are developing our caring muscle by exercising Proverbs 31:15 and 22.

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

Godly Wisdom What this verse reveals about God's character.
Application In the past, present, and future.
Get Up Early And reflect on it.

Worship with "Give Me Jesus" by Jeremy Camp
Proverbs 31:22 Noting key words and phrases.
*Literal Meaning An initial interpretation of this verse.
*What is Weird? Researching something unusual about the verse.

Godly Wisdom

What this verse reveals about God's character.

• God gives us our daily portion - we lack nothing!
• He never stops working, even when we're sleeping.
• He desires that we choose food that truly nurtures and challenges us: Him.

Application

In the past, present, and future.

• Past: I rejected the early rising part of this verse. That's just not me.
• Present: I acknowledge that this verse describes how God watches over and provides for me so I can do the same for others. It's not about getting up early, but more about making "care of others" my first thought.
• Future Hope: That I continue relying on God's provision to care for others.

*Get Up Early

And reflect on it.

After rising early, I prepared breakfast for my household and took a walk.

Some reasons why I would want to continue getting up earlier than usual that are mentioned in "How to Wake Up Early: Benefits to Getting Up Early" by Sanchita Sen at Amerisleep include:

• Being able to make a healthy breakfast for my household (Although in truth, this would really be for me because the rest of my household would prefer their normal easy prep breakfast choices.)
• Exercising in the morning to make sure I get it in. A long morning walk and returning to coffee sounds ideal.
• Being able to get to sleep faster. I struggle with falling asleep and often have sleepless nights. So, the idea of getting to sleep faster and staying asleep is appealing to me.
• Having more energy throughout the day to maintain a positive attitude and eagerly tackle tasks.

A connection from the article I made to Proverbs 31:15, was that our daily rhythms are dependent on the night day cycle. We are wired to do more during the day, which coincides with scripture: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9:4)

Worship

With "Give Me Jesus" by Jeremy Camp.

This simple song reminds us to keep Jesus our first thought to motivate, sustain, and serve. When we rise, when we start craving worldly things, when we feel all alone, when death is at our door, give us Jesus!

Proverbs 31:22

Noting key words and phrases.

She maketh herself / coverings of tapestry; / her clothing / is silk and purple. 

 Key Words: maketh, coverings, clothing, silk, purple

*Literal Meaning

An initial interpretation of this verse.

A woman sews her own ornamental spreads as well as silky, purple clothes.

*What is Weird?

Researching something unusual about the verse.

Why is she clothed in silky purple while the household is clothed in scarlet?

• "Meaning of Purple in the Bible" from BibleStudy.org
• Most expensive dye, therefore, the pigment of choice for those of royal birth or high-level officials
• Derived from a Mediterranean Sea snail gland 
• Each snail produced a single drop of the fluid needed
• 1 pound of dye required four million mollusks
• Biblically, purple was used in tabernacle veils and carpets along with priestly garments.
• To help with building the temple, King Solomon enlisted the help of King Hiram of Tyre who specialized in purple dyes. 
• Purple commonly symbolizes deity, authority, kingship, wealth, and royalty.
• Mark 15:16-20 NIV: Roman soldiers mocked Jesus' royalty by making him wear a purple robe before beating him.
• Revelation 18:9-20 NIV: Describes the cargoes of Babylonian ships that are no longer purchased including fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth.
• "Silk Requires Sacrifice" from Ministry 127
• Ezekiel 61:10 KJV "...I covered thee with silk." 
• 2495 silkworms yield 1 lb. of silk.
• Silk is extracted by boiling the cocoon which loosens the strands and kills the worm. (*Interestingly, worms also produce scarlet dye.)
• Revelation 19:13 KJV: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
• Psalm 22:6 KJV: But I am a worm, and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of people.
• Die to self, allow God to unravel you so others can see Christ in us.

*Conclusions: If we follow the argument that "she" represents wisdom, who is Jesus, then it would follow that Jesus should wear the silky purple of royalty while we, His household, are clothed in scarlet righteousness.

Final Thoughts

Twice, so far, we have encountered the topic of clothing within this short Proverbs poem. Biblically, we are told not to worry about what clothes we wear, yet this poem makes me think that we ought to concern ourselves with clothing. Yet, when I consider that Wisdom is the one providing my clothes, I know I need not worry. Jesus is rightfully, elaborately, and regally dressed and by His own sacrifice cares for us. Once again, I'm corrected: this verse is not about me, but about Him.

You are on Your throne. I can rest knowing You have me covered!

Growing with You,

Ready for week 25?

Sample these related posts:

If God is working on my behalf, what do I do?

What happens spiritually during the night?

What do scarlet clothes represent?

How are wisdom and Jesus connected?

Is building our earthly households worth the effort?

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