Proverbs 31: Week Forty-Two | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week forty-two 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 witnessed exemplary behavior outlined in Proverbs 31:18 and 31.
  • In September, we found what being necessary looks like from Proverbs 31:20 and 24.
  • In October, we will exercise strength in Jesus from Proverbs 31:17 and 25.
If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your October 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 *.)

A girl in yellow smiles at a beach. Text overlay quotes Proverbs 31:25



Contents:
Proverbs 31:25 Noting key words and phrases.
*Initial Interpretation Recording what you think it means.
What is Weird? Researching something unusual about the verse.
About Honor From various sources.
About Laughter From various sources.
Other Versions of Proverbs 31:25 and writing your own.
Commentaries of Proverbs 31:25

Proverbs 31:25

Noting key words and phrases.
Strength and honor / are her clothing; / and she shall rejoice / in time to come.

Key Words: strength, honor, clothing, rejoice, time to come. 


*Initial Interpretation

Recording what you think it means.

Encouraged by truth and an enduring sense of who she is, her future is certain to be full of JOY!

What is Weird?

Researching something unusual about the verse.

Why are strength and honor the two qualities mentioned here that will lead to a fulfilled future, a future worthy of rejoicing over? What do people generally regard as necessary for a future of fulfillment?

Strength Related Qualities Deemed Necessary for a Fulfilling Future (Personal and Right Now)

Honor Related Qualities Deemed Necessary for a Fulfilling Future (Social and Over Time)    
*Conclusions: God can and does fulfill every need for happiness and future fulfillment when we find our strength in Him and honor the value that He's assigned to us.

About Honor

From various sources.

Hebrew from Bible Hub
  • hadar: an ornament, honor, splendor
  • Other uses: majesty, splendor, beautiful, dignity
  • In Proverbs 31:25: of dignity of good and capable women
Definition from Merriam-Webster.
  • good name or public esteem 
  • a showing of usually merited respect: RECOGNITION
  • a person of superior standing
  • privilege
  • one whose worth brings respect or fame
  • an evidence or symbol of distinction (Name written in the palm of His hand. Isaiah 49:16)
  • chastity, purity (*righteousness)
  • a keen sense of ethical conduct
  • social courtesies or civilities extended by a host (*"Tend my sheep." John 21:16)
"What does it mean to honor God?" from Got Questions
  • glory = something that has inherent, intrinsic worth
    • A mirror that accurately reflects what is there. When we accurately reflect the character of God, we glorify Him.
    • God has glory because He is infinitely valuable. We have glory because we were created in His image.
    • When we glorify God (accurately reflect His character), we bring Him honor (perceived value).
  • honor = perceived value; to render or esteem glorious
    • originates in our hearts
    • refers to the value we personally place on something or someone based on contributions and significant positions.
    • We are commanded to honor people based on their position, not necessarily on their performance - i.e. parents (Deuteronomy 5:16), the elderly (Leviticus 19:32), and those who rule over us (I Peter 2:17).
    • When we honor God, we show the high regard we have for Him.
  • We can honor and glorify God by:
Scripture from Daily Verses
  • Proverbs 29:23 KJV: A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
  • Proverbs 21:21 KJV: He that foloweth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor. 
  • Proverbs 3:9 KJV: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: 
  • Romans 12:10 KJV: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
  • Psalm 62:7 WEB: My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
*Conclusions: To be clothed in honor means recognizing your worth, the worth God assigned you. We glorify God when we wrap ourselves in His honor (majesty, righteousness).

About Laughter

From various sources.
 
Hebrew from Bible Hub
  • sachaq: to laugh
  • Other uses: celebrating, rejoicing, merrymaking, playing, smiling, amusing
  • In Proverbs 31: with thing/person means "have no fear of"
Definition from Merriam Webster
  • to show emotion with an explosive vocal sound
  • to find amusement or pleasure in something
  • to be of a kind that inspires JOY!
"God Laughs Out Loud to Quiet Our Fears" from David Mathis at Desiring God
  • Laughter acknowledges more is going on than meets the eye.
  • It's a distinguishing feature of humans, is the most contagious emotional experience, little is known about it, has numerous health benefits: releases tension, lowers anxiety, boosts the immune system, and aids circulation; it is a social phenomenon
  • In scripture, laughter mocks, scoffs, or derides. A fool's laughter reveals his folly. The laughter of the righteous signals confidence in God (Psalm 52:6).
  • Laughter comes from God, as we were made in His image, and maybe that's why it's unique to humans, but still a mystery
    • God laughs at the wicked because He knows what's coming. Psalm 37:12-13
    • God Laugs at those who set themselves against us. Psalm 59:8
    • God Laughs to dispel our fears, to remind us no purpose of His can be thwarted.
    • He who sits in the heavens laughs. Psalm 2:4
    • Our enemies, though, will be terrified with his fury. 
    • We laugh with Him (Proverbs 31:25) and communicate our confidence in God to handle our greatest possible troubles.
  • We go on spiritual journeys from the laughter of unbelief, like Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17:17; 18:12-15) to the laughter of faith (Genesis 21:1-7) knowing we will not experience it in full while in the age of sin and pain (Luke 6:25) 
  • Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh (Luke 6:21).
Scripture from Open Bible
  • Job 8:21 KJV: Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
  • Luke 6:21 KJV: Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
  • Genesis 21:6 KJV: And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
  • Psalm 16:11 KJV: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at they right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
  • Matthew 25:21 KJV: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
  • Jeremiah 31:13 ESV: Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into JOY; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
*Conclusions: Laughter really is powerful medicine. To think that God laughs, makes me feel like I too can laugh at the future. Especially knowing that He's the one who holds it.

Other Versions

Of Proverbs 31:25 and writing your own.

Phrase-By-Phrase
  • Strength/well-made
  • and honor/fairness/dignity/splendor/respect/nobility/elegance/majesty/glory/beauty/grace
  • are her clothing/are who she is/how she dresses/are her garments/
  • and she shall rejoice/laugh/with nothing to fear she smiles/full of JOY/looks forward...with JOY/can afford to laugh/has no fear/she is confident/
  • in time to come/at the future/days to come/the coming day/in the last day/of old age/tomorrow/
Significantly Different Versions:
  • AMPC: Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
  • MSG: Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
  • NIRV: She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.
  • VOICE: Clothed in strength and dignity, with nothing to fear, she smiles when she thinks about the future.
  • NCV: She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with JOY.
  • TLB: She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age.
Wolfe Stew Versions
  • Strength and honor adorn WISDOM, and there is only rejoicing where it resides.
  • THE BRIDE OF CHRIST arms herself in God's strength and reminds herself who she is. So adorned, there is no fear of the future.
  • Personally: Know who you are, where you came from and where you are going. Remind yourself: This battle has already been won. No fear!
  • Relationally: Stand strong in who Christ has named you to be. Stand firm in His truth. Love one another. The rest will follow.
  • Spiritually: Remind yourself where your STRENGTH comes from and how HE sees you. Focus on the future and the promises held therein.
  • Intellectually: If it is not about Him, it won't make you STRONG. If it's not from His perspective, it won't make you HONORABLE. If it's not from Him, there will be no JOY in the future.

Commentaries

Of Proverbs 31:25.

Phrase-by-Phrase
  • Strength and honor are her clothing: She never parts with them; they serve her, like clothing, for protection and ornament. Compare to Psalm 104:1 where God is clothed in splendor and majesty. (Ellicot) / Strong and beautiful; or, figuratively, for moral character, vigorous and honorable (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) / Strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, resolution, activity AND prudent, pious, amiable behavior or honorable esteem because of her virtuous disposition - these are her great ornaments and glory (Poole) / The church is clothed with strength, as her Lord, head, and husband is said to be, Psalm 93:1, and which she has from him...she is strong in him...clothed with garments of salvation, and the robe of righteousness (Gill) / Strength = power over the changes of temporal circumstances, which easily shatter and bring to a ruin a household resting on less solid foundations. Glory = elevation above that which is low, little, common. (Keil and Delitzsch) / She is invested with a moral force and dignity which arm her against care and worry; the power of a righteous purpose and strong will reveals itself in her carriage and demeanor (Pulpit)
  • and she shall rejoice in time to come: does not fear the future (Ellicott) / looks forward to it with confident gladness (Barnes) / In old age, she reaps the comfort and benefit of youthful labor or she lives in tranquility of mind because she laid provisions aside and has the comfortable remembrance of a well-spent life, and, a confidence in God's gracious providence. (Poole) / the church of Christ fears no want at any time, they have clothing that never waxes old, a righteousness that will answer for them in a time to come... (Gill) / She is not disquieted by any fear of what may happen, knowing in whom she trusts. (Pulpit)
*Conclusions: Less about actual clothes and more about character. Which, the Bride of Christ gets from Jesus - like every good thing.


 Final Thoughts

I hope this scripture finds you standing strong and smiling in who you are. You, Beloved, belong to Him; wear it well.

Growing with You,

Sample these related posts:
To review last week's notes.
To define strength.
To discover the Biblical significance of clothing.
To let Him hold your future.
To remember who you are.



Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

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