Proverbs 31: Week Fifty | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week fifty of our Proverbs 31 journey. Topics this week include beauty, favor, and fear of God. 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 exercised strength in Jesus from Proverbs 31:17 and 25.
• In November, we rehearsed being well-spoken by looking to Proverbs 31:26 and 28.
• In December, we reflect on becoming godly by looking to Proverbs 31:30 and the entire poem.

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

*As Christ's Bride consider how Proverbs 31:30 relates to the church.
*Look at Roles of husband and wife based on Proverbs 31:30.

*Godly Wisdom What Proverbs 31:30 reveals about God's character.

*Application of Proverbs 31:30 to your past, present, and future hopes.
*Top 3 revelations from Proverbs 31:30
Memorization Choose your preferred version and work on memorizing it.
*Verse-by-Verse Rewrite the poem by choosing preferred versions for each verse.

*As Christ's Bride

Consider how Proverbs 31:30 relates to the church.

As Christ's Bride, we:

• Submit to His laws over our wants, (i.e. for popularity or allure).
• Respect that He is God maker of all and knows what is best for us, that He genuinely does love us (even when it doesn't "feel" like it), and that His will is what we should always seek first.

Because Christ:

• Leads us faithfully for He is the way, the truth, and the life who provides a light yoke and an easy burden.
• Loves us unconditionally (whether we are graceful or uncouth; beautiful or unremarkable), completely, self-sacrificially, and faithfully.

*Look at Roles

Of husband and wife based on Proverbs 31:30.

A Helper

• Submits to her husband (Jesus first, her earthly husband next) as He leads her to Jesus because she knows that her husband's authority is given by God. She can trust this keeper that God has provided to guard and protect her because of the love her husband has for her.
• Respects 
• herself by keeping in check desires to gain favor or increase beauty because she knows her true value comes from Jesus. 
• her husband by helping him lead from a mindset of fearing God instead of man.

Because a Keeper:

• Leads by following Jesus' example in all things:
• in believing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one can come to the Father but by Him
• by keeping an easy yoke and a light burden so the helper he leads is blessed to follow.
• Loves as Jesus does - not because her actions and appearances please him - but because he longs for the best for her and works faithfully, whole-heartedly, self-sacrificially, and unconditionally to see she that gets there.

*Godly Wisdom

What Proverbs 31:30 reveals about God's character.

1. He knows what is best for us.
2. We can trust Him in all things at all times.
3. His praise is worth seeking.

*Application

Of Proverbs 31:30 to your past, present, and future hopes.

• In the past, this verse played as BACKGROUND MUSIC. It was easy to ignore, comforting, and familiar.
• Presently, it's my CADENCE. As I march throughout the day, I remind myself, "Fear God and follow His commandments. Forget the rest."
• In the future, I hope it becomes easier to shut out the noise of this world and TUNE IN to heavenly praise.

*Top 3 

Revelations from Proverbs 31:30

1. That acceptance and admiration can be idols when I do not find them in God alone.
2. Only Jesus in all circumstances (in joy and peace or pain and suffering) coupled with a belief that He can and will bring good - this is fear of God.
3. If it is authentic praise I seek, I will find it by looking to and following Jesus - nowhere else. All other praise is meant to distract and provides a hollow return.

Memorization

Choose your preferred version and work on memorizing it.

I chose to memorize in the King James Version out of habit. It is the version I grew up on, the version I most frequently read, and the version I always start with. 

To work on memorizing, I began by writing out the entire poem. Then, I added it into my Verses (for iPhone) memorization app so I can work on memorizing it there also. See this Church Tech Today article for other recommended scripture memorization apps.

Verse-by-Verse

Rewrite the poem by choosing preferred versions for each verse.

• Proverbs 31:10 CEV: A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find!
• Proverbs 31:11 NCB : Her husband entrusts his heart to her, for in her he has an unfailing blessing.
• Proverbs 31:12 KJV: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
• Proverbs 31:13 MEV: She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
• Proverbs 31:14 MEV: She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
• Proverbs 31:15 CEV: She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and for her servants.
• Proverbs 31:16 ESV: She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
• Proverbs 31:17 VOICE: She wraps herself in strength, carries herself with confidence, and works hard, strengthening her arms for the task at hand.
• Proverbs 31:18 WYC: She tasted, and saw, that her merchandise was good; her lantern shall not be quenched in the night.
• Proverbs 31:19 NIRV: With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.
• Proverbs 31:20 ICB: She welcomes the poor. She helps the needy.
• Proverbs 31:21 KJV: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
• Proverbs 31:22 MEV: She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
• Proverbs 31:23 MEV: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
• Proverbs 31:24 KJV: She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delievereth girdles unto the merchant.
• Proverbs 31:25 KJV: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
• Proverbs 31:26 KJV: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
• Proverbs 31:27 KJV: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
• Proverbs 31:28 KJV: Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.
• Proverbs 31:29 KJV: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
• Proverbs 31:30 KJV: Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
• Proverbs 31:31 KJV: Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Final Thoughts

As I start to review all the verses, I'm reminded that none of us can be all of these things all of the time. It is a lifelong process, only completed successfully by following Jesus and believing in His goodness.

Growing with You,

Ready for Week Fifty-One?

Sample these related posts:

To review last week's notes about deception and purpose.

To reflect on being godly with us.

To return to the beginning of the poem.

To consider what it means to seek.

To define good.

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.