Since no king with the name of Lemuel can be found in the history books, some believe that this was written to Solomon. In other words, she does not shop at stores just because they are convenient, but she sacrifices her own comfort to get what is best for her family. This woman is wise and a reflection of that wisdom is a kind and gracious tongue. I did exactly that on a recent Mother's Day, preaching Proverbs 31:1-9. She is mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Finally, she offers to assume her duties again, but only if compensated as hired help. An excellent wife, who can find? As the words tumble out, Deborahs eyes get big. The poet here pictures the ideal wife as a shrewd businesswoman who makes wise investments. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Second, we must note that Proverbs 31:10 -31 is a poem. King Lemuels mother was used of God not only to have a great influence on him, but also on the rest of the world because what she taught him was written into the Scriptures. What about those who cannot have children? Here is some help. Sometimes in their assessment of their child, they may be wrong. And six pairs of hands. She buys the wool, weaves the fabric, and makes the fashion-worthy garments with her own two handsall with a smile on her face. We will dig into the strength, wisdom, and faith that shape her influence on her family and community. This refers to being busy during the evening and being attentive to the needs of her family in anticipating what could happen and planning accordingly. However, Prov 31:10 31 does not. It doesnt come out in our English translation, but the 22 verses of this section each begin with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Proverbs 31:10-31. Her life is caught up with her concern for her family instead of her own comforts and convenience. This is even before the spinning wheel so it was a lot more work then. Imagine that. This woman is not afraid of snow, for her household is clothed with scarlet. [1]Some scholars even believe the actual writing here is different from the previous chapter and they believe it reveals a feminine hand at the pen. All rights reserved. Today is Mothers Day, a day set aside to honor mothers. asked the angel. Indeed, Congress and Woodrow Wilson thought it was a good idea, too. In reality, such roles can be noble callings. Abraham did this in getting Rebekah as a wife for Isaac. They only speak empty, meaningless words. Look at the word Virtuous. This is the word Chayil, which means SUBSTANCE. With that in mind, here are three things you might not know: 1. Though feminists belittle and disdain you for focusing your attention and placing your priority on your children and homes, we honor you. Work is a good thing. ", "That's on the standard model?" The Proverbs 31 woman demonstrates those priorities. They would also be the ones from whom she got her own clothes and special things for the family mentioned earlier. However, the virtuous woman can be trusted-Her husband can trust her because she has proven herself capable. Thus, she is acclaimed. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. They realize how good of a mother they have and so they bless her. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband (Prov. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. If it were, it probably wouldnt belong alongside the counsel of the wise man! Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Her husband also, and he praises her, saying . In Proverbs 31 we are given a picture of what appears to be the perfect woman. Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Proverbs 31:10-31 is given in an acrostic, i.e., given in the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and given as a poetic depiction of the model woman for him to marry. Run on black coffee and leftovers. What it means to be a believer. There is Deborah who proved herself not only to be wise, but also brave even when those around her showed fear (Judges 4). Being clothed with strength presents this woman as being industrious-she is far from lazy. Please turn there in your Bible. A virtuous woman is capable to complete the task in front of her. As we begin our study please note two things about this passage. So it is with the virtuous woman. There is Ruth who had the faith to abandon her own people in order to go to the land of Israel with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and follow the true God. Eve was created to be a helper suitable to Adam. MICHAEL A. MILTON (Ph.D., University of Wales; MPA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MDIV, Knox Theological Seminary; Cert. She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy. The same hands that spun the wool and flax and met the needs of her family also extended out in compassion to assist the poor. One way this is accomplished is how they conduct their lives as a wife, a mother, a woman in their home and in the community. Beauty is vain because it is _______________, The proper ___________of the Lord results in godliness and virtue, Her ________character shines in all she does so that even the products of her hands result in her acclaim, Virtue starts with the proper fear of the __________- strive for that and encourage others to do the same, Grace Bible Church Home Page || Sermon Archives, For comments, please e-mail Church office, Subscribe to Pastor Harris weekly Sermon Notes via email Click Here, Grace Bible Church Yet, Paul here states that women, who had been deceived, would be saved through childbearing. A lot of folk thought the Mothers Day service at St. Andrews Church was a great idea. The gate was the place of the assembly of the elders who had judicial responsibilities. This could mean that the virtuous woman burns the midnight oil. Her husband is known in the gates as he sits with the elders. Verse 13 indicates that she may have some sort of business dealing with wool and flax, and in verse 24, we will find that she is making things for sale. The term excellent here (chayil / khahyil) is also translated as virtuous. Through the gift of that special woman He blesses husbands (Proverbs 31:10-12,23,28). The author is essentially showing us what wisdom . In this age, few men can totally trust their wives. This woman makes and wears fine linen; her husband is an important man. If you are not married, then you also should be encouraging and helping your sisters and your sisters-in-Christ develop these characteristics. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. Mothers play a critical part of the continuation of the faith by inculcating the children in faith in God so that the children grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. In Titus 2:3-5 Paul talks about the older women being reverent in their behavior and not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine. They are to be teaching what is good to the younger women. Children are blessed. In a society that is increasingly focused on convenience and depending on frozen dinners that can be quickly fixed in the microwave, such a woman would stand out. This lady shall rejoice in time to come-Since this woman is industrious, she is confident of the future. The real beauty of a woman is not outward, but inward. ", There is something so special about Mothers. Moral goodness, Value above jewels due to quality and ______________, Seeking what is ____________ for the family, she brings gain, not debt, Arises from a deeply committed moral character in which true _____________ reigns, She goes out to find and carefully ________________ what she will need, She takes _______________ in the work she is doing with her hands, < p> She sacrifices her convenience and comfort to search out value and ______in good things for her family, The care of her family is _______________ important to her than her own comfort, She understands business and knows how to increase her _____________ through diversification, She controls her spending so she can save and _____________, Titus 2:5 sets the _________________ , but it does not give a prohibition, She is not afraid of _____________ labor because she keeps herself physically fit, She is ______________ to the outcome of her labor and investments, She is attentive to the needs of her home and ____________ accordingly, She will work with her ____________ to provide / make good things for her family / business, She provides both material needs to the poor, but also _____________, counsel and encouragement, She has anticipated the _____________ and worked hard to be ready for it, She wears fine clothing as a result of her _______________________, Her excellence at home enables her ______________ to be a civic leader, She operate a manufacturing __________________ and trades, She wears elegant clothes, but her real _____________ is her personal dignity, Her wisdom is expressed in how she speaks and ______________ she says, She is involved and _______________ and this protects her from idleness, Children reared well will naturally give ______________ to their parents, Her _________________recognizes her many virtues and praises her, Charm is deceitful because it manipulates others. Verse 10 begins with a word beginning with aleph; verse 11, beth; verse 12, gimmel! Mom, Mothers, Mother's Day, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Rather than a to-do list for an already over-stressed mom, Proverb 31 should be read through the eyes of an appreciative husband and family who recognize how much they owe the one who does lifes most important job. He buys big items and takes the family into debt in leaps, while she will buy little items and take the family into debt slowly). Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt (Deut. A time to honor those who gave us birth 1. All her diligence in labor and watchfulness over her family gives her confidence for what the future may bring. We thank God for our women today who have served our churches and our communities through teaching. Do you stand behind and support your husband? Her purpose was to be someone who corresponded to Adam, complemented him and assisted him in carrying out Gods commands. She rises while it is yet night to provide food. Share your plan with your husband or a friend for accountability and encouragement. They are also the characteristics you should be looking for when giving any consideration of a potential wife. It is an aspect of love (1 Corinthians 13). There is Abigail who proved herself to be wise though her husband, Nabal, was wicked (1 Samuel 25). It started off with one meaning and became something else altogether, removed from its context. Thats just the beginning. However, I think thats a wrong interpretation of the chapter. He can trust her wholly for she is seeking what is best for the family and not just herself. She is very intelligent and wise for she adds to the wealth of her household not only through her own manual labor and manufacturing, but by wise investment in other interests. The covenant of Gods grace was as important then as it is now. One group says, "I'm tired of getting hammered on Mother's Day with impossible expectations. A. She manages the household, buys, sells, invests, helps the needy, and of course, has dinner ready and waiting for her family. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. Women: examine your own life in relationship to the various characteristics described in this passage (and listed above) and then develop a plan of action for growing in those areas that need improvement. And please note her spirit while doing her work. What do you contribute to this household?. 14She buys imported foods brought by ship from distant ports. The same tribute also should extend to ladies who never may have had a child of their own, but have devoted hours and years helping care for and teach the young born by others. . 11Her husband can trust her, and she will richly satisfy his needs. The President and First Lady were walking through the streets of Washington. Raymond discovered what Proverb 31:10-31 really means. And a final reminder to you men. 2. Trust is important. The Lord is talking about a VIRTUOUS WOMAN. Provers 31:10-31 10 An excellent wife, who can find? 3:1). Instead, she actually brings profit into the family. Pentecostal, When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. Her excellence of character is not a fleeting thing, for it is based in the inward quality of godliness that dominates her life. Try, Ed Stetzer: How To Fight Ministry Pornography, 7 Ideas For Creativity In Series Planning. From my own experience of Sunday School teachers in my life to watching my own wife teach in our churches, to seeing the special women who taught our son in his life, growing up. * Emotional: No one has more of an emotional investment in children, times when children break a mothers heart, times when the emotional investment returns void, times when they hurt because their children hurt, time when the loss seems greater than the gain. This woman was not born with these qualities and they did not appear by magic. She uses good, practical common sense in her discussion, and her instruction is reliable. Proverbs 31 is a poem. She uses white linen and a purple colored material. Did Jesus Say We Must Be Baptized in Order to Be Saved? Todays moms have modern conveniences their great-grandmothers never imagined. Deborah smiles. She is not sitting around wishing she had someone else's life. June 25th, 2023 Welcome to Calvary Church, a church where you will not just feel welcome, but where you belong. She rises also while it is still night, And gives food to her household, And portions to her maidens. The care of her family is more important to her than her own comfort. A virtuous woman is capable to complete the task in front of her. the "other" proverbs 31 mother's day sermon! She is not only a noble wife, she is also a godly woman diligent to fulfill Gods commands to help the poor. Yet thats how the Proverb 31 woman often is portrayed. Mothers Day 100-year History a Colorful Tale of Love, Anger and Civic Unrest. DeseretNews.com. Her godly character shines in all that she does including the products of her hands for they cannot be hid. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. She used the colors available to her to make fine clothing of contrasting colors. Denomination: If that were true, she would not be human, for our bodies must have sleep and rest. Both would have been expensive. A fall of snow in Palestine during the winter months is not rare; this snow is often accompanied by freezing cold. The Scriptures praise a good wife. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sickcan feed a family of six on one pound of hamburgerand can get a nine year old to stand under a shower. 19:14). It is also possible that the scarlet was made from wool which would preserve warmth. The root meaning of this word is strength and in this context it reflects strength of character and ability which are then described in the rest of the poem. If the phrase portions to her maidens refers to the daily work of her servants as some commentaries suggest, then she is also a diligent household manager. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband [also,] and he praises her, [saying:] 29 Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all. 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, [But] a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. While there are social engineering attempts underway, there can be no denying that our society reflects the same truth that Proverbs 31 teaches: the woman of the house controls the market concerning her house. That is her identity. Thank you ladies for your selfless sacrifice for the welfare of your family and for our society. Her identity is not found in profit or praise. Our God is longsuffering and patient and desires to work in your life to develop these qualities. Surely he is not guaranteeing that Christian women will all defy the fall in this life and successfully bear children without any medical problems. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. This is no excuse for husbands being tyrants. 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.. (If you would like to receive Pastor Harris weekly sermons via e-mail, Click Here), (If you would like to download the PowerPoint presentation for this sermon, Click Here), Happy Mothers Day to you. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. He who finds a wife finds a good thing (Prov. The audience gasps. He said, "A mother is a person who takes care of her kids and gets their meals, and if she's not there when you get home from school, you wouldn't know how to get your dinner and you wouldn't feel like eating anyhow.". What are the qualities of a godly Mother?
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mother day sermon proverbs 31
