Proverbs 31: Week Thirty-Five | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week thirty-five of our Proverbs 31 journey. 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 developed our caring muscle by exercising Proverbs 31:15 and 22.
• In July, we practiced being savvy with help from Proverbs 31:16 and 27.
• In August, we witness exemplary behavior outlined in Proverbs 31:18 and 31:31.

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your August and September calendars 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:

*Worship with "To God be the Glory"
*Connections between Proverbs 31:18 and 31.

*Activity Retell an exemplary moment in the Bible.

*Altered Definition of exemplary based on an examination of the verses.
*I am Exemplary because...
Define Necessary and describe how you relate to it personally.
Proverbs 31:20 Noting key words and phrases.

*Worship

With Selah and "To God be the Glory"

• "To God be the Glory" All praise should be His. We simply cannot count the things He has done, the fruits He has labored to produce:
• "Loving the whole world to give us His son in atonement for sin"
  
• "To open the life gate for all to go in"
• In response: "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice"
• Through the good fruit produced by our tireless labor in Him.
• Through our praise of Him in public places.
• "Let the people rejoice"
• As they feast on the fruit from the tree of life.
• As they change their labor to Godliness.
• "But purer, and higher, and greater will be / our wonder, our worship when Jesus we see" 
• In the gates where we, His works, will see Him face-to-face.
• In the place He's prepared for us where we can finally praise Him in unity.

*Connections

Between Proverbs 31:18 and 31.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out at night. -Proverbs 31:18

Give her of the works of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. -Proverbs 31:31 

• Overall: In the first verse she acts, in the second verse she receives.
• "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good" / "Give her of the fruit of her hands": You are returning to her something she values - the fruit of her hands that she called "good".
• "her candle goeth not out" / "let her own works praise her": because she works unceasingly, her works are likely abundant and worthy of recognition.
• "at night" / "in the gates"; recognize publicly what she accomplishes privately

*Conclusions: Spiritually: Confident in her yield, [the Bride of Christ] works tirelessly. In response, the harvest she yields, even that unknown to her, will praise her in heaven. As Wisdom: Wisdom brings only good results and will never fail. Acknowledge that your successes come by way of Wisdom - acknowledge publicly what has been accomplished in you privately. Practically: Work diligently in God knowing you're bearing good fruits (He is ONLY good.). Enjoy the rewards of your labor and know God sees and values your hard work. Let your hard work be your public praise.

*Activity

Retell an exemplary moment in the Bible.

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 KJV

• He knew it was for good. (She percieveth her merchandise is good...) 
• Genesis 1:24-31 KJV: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good!
• Ephesians 1:4-5 TLB: Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault - we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to (according to the good pleasure of his will - KJV)!
• He worked tirelessly to do it and was never deterred despite the darkness working against Him. (...her candle goeth not out at night.)
• An illustration of Jesus' tireless work is portrayed in a scene from The Chosen - Season 2 : Episode 3. The disciples, bickering with each other, quiet immediately as Jesus returns, exhausted from a long day of healing people. He stumbles to His tent and His mother helps Him take off His shoes so He can lie down and rest. The prayer He prays is one that now helps me sleep on restless nights.
• Pharisees, Satan, Herod, and the very people He came to save are examples of the darkness that worked against Him.
• In response, He asks that we give up our life to follow Him. (Give her the fruit of her hands...)
• Matthew 16:24-26 ICB: Then Jesus said to his followers, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say 'no' to the things he wants. He must be willing even to die on a cross, and he must follow me. Whoever wants to save his life will give up true life. And whoever gives up his life for me will have true life. It is worth nothing for a man to have the whole world if he loses his soul. He could never pay enough to buy back his soul."
• Romans 12:1 KJV: I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
• So, one day we can praise Him in the gates. (...and let her own works praise her in the gates.)
• Isaiah 51:11 KJV: Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting JOY shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and JOY; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
• Revelation 19:6-7 KJV: the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth...for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

*Altered Definition

Of exemplary based on an examination of the verses.

imitating the example Christ laid out before us so that lost sheep may find His light, even in the darkest valleys, and complete the journey to their eternal home by entering through the gate

 

*I am Exemplary

because...

• Personally, I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). I know it's my lifeline and I know Christ's light guides my way.
• Relationally, I wipe away selfish desires, deceitful thoughts, and bitter reactions so God's love can shine through. I am ready with an explanation for the hope for that is within me (I Peter 3:15). I long for all I meet to know Jesus because I know He is what their soul is longing for. They were bought for a price, and He is waiting to be reunited with them.
• Spiritually, I know if it weren't for Christ's redeeming love, I would have no hope. But He chose me, called me, redeemed me, restores me, and is preparing a place for me. I am only exemplary because He clothed me in His righteousness through His work that was completed at the cross.

*Disclaimer: None of these descriptors represent me all of the time. They are meant to serve as reminders, I have done (believed) this before, I can do (believe) this again. 

Define Necessary

And describe how you relate to it personally.

absolutely needed, required

 *Connection: I want to believe I am necessary and the belief that I am often motivates me to get things done, but it can also lead to unnecessary busyness (because only I can do it "right" or "better"). Once, my brother told me that the army taught him no one is irreplaceable. And with work, tasks, and roles - the things we do - that may be true, but in relationships it is not. My Father in Heaven and the people who know and love me see me as necessary. To them, I am irreplaceable. But it's not because of what I do, but because of who I am. 

Proverbs 31:20

Noting key words and phrases.

She stretcheth / out her hand / to the poor: / yea, / she reacheth / forth her hands / to the needy.

Key words: stretches, hand, poor, reaches, needy

Final Thoughts

I am humbled that God entrusts me with His important work: to bring the good news to others. There is no better labor, and the return is great.

Father God, guide my actions to testify to You. Empower me in Your love to share the Gospel truth with the poor, broken, lost, and needy. Because of Your work on the cross, we can enter through the gate into Your marvelous light where You are anxiously awaiting our return. Thank you, Jesus. You alone are worthy of all praise.

Growing with You,

Are you ready for Week 36?

Sample these related posts:

Discover various ways to praise.

Connect Wisdom with Jesus.

Compare the Gospel to a fairy tale.

Witness the work of Jesus' hands.

Enjoy the fruit of your labor.

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