Bible Study: The Psalms 31 Woman

I made a mid-year resolution with my husband three weeks ago (or so) to do all the things every day that we wanted to accomplish rather than just waste the day in front of the computer, TV, or our phones. It’s just so easy to throw away hours at a time watching House rescue yet another leukemia patient or watch yet another documentary, or play one more try on Farm Heroes. Yet there is something definitely lacking in our lives, and we’ve noticed it. I used to write, read, create, make things, play violin, and I used to be good at these things. Mr. Fox is a writer by training and he also loves to read, carve wood, and bicycle long distances with ease. We also have things that we want to become; such as I want to be able to draw fantastically, paint majestically, and run without dying after a few seconds (no literally, just a few seconds). Mr. Fox would like to learn guitar, and would like to work out constantly. We both want to be more God-centered too.

Big Mid-New-Years-Resolution right? Right. Very big, very hard to keep up. I did it perfectly for a week, then things started dropping and now at week three, my morning Bible study is the only thing that I kept.

I’ve been getting up an hour earlier than I have to (a whopping 7am, I’m so hardcore) and doing a quick, ten minute Bible study. Women Living Well is where I found this guided study to how a wife should be. How she is rare and how people actually hate her for her perfection. So of course I’m all over that!

Here is the link to all the FREE VIDEOS that I followed, one a day.

Proverbs 31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

– Proverbs 31: 10-31

I hope that you gain all the hope, encouragement, knowledge, lessons, chastisements, and God-love from this that I did. If you’re a wife or about to be one, I encourage you to study this and write this on your heart. God has made a lovely, subtle shift in my life each day in how I act toward chores, how I act when my husband may not notice those chores, how I cook and prepare food, even how I view the tedious tasks of laundry. It’s such a blessing when God reaches out to your life and sweetly talks to your heart, telling it the things of His will.

Here are my notes:

• Proverbs 31:10-11

  • Virtuous
  • v10: usually describes a warrior man
    • she is rare and hard to find
  • v11: the husband has full confidence in his wife
    • because she has her full confidence in God
  • “The phrase ‘a virtuous woman’ speaks of excellence, moral worth, ability, and nobility, not just marital fidelity.’ – Nelson’s NKJV commentary
  • Virtuous (definition): conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright.

• Proverbs 31:12-14

  • v12a: she does him good
    • faithful with her husband’s money, children, everything
  • v12b: full confidence from husband
    • will be loyal always
  • v13ba: not above the work
    • today’s application: laundry, dishes, chores
  • v13b: not above tedious work
    • willing to work with her hands
  • v14: willing to go far to get good food
    • modern day equivalent of providing a healthy meal
    • not just a quick 10 minute deal
  • Do you laundry, grocery shopping, and chores with joy because these are the things a Godly wife provides.

• Proverbs 31:15-16

  • v15a: early riser
    • provides food for her household
    • she doesn’t just do what’s easy
    • she goes far
    • far for healthy, good food
  • v15b: make lists and prepare for the day
    • maidservants are appliances and even children that will help
  • v16a: she considers and thinks about it
  • v16b: manages her money and makes wise purchases
  • “These verses emphasize both hard work and skill. The woman they describe does things she enjoys, finding her fulfillment in varied tasks.’ Nelson’s NKJV commentary

• Proverbs 31:17-18

  • v17: strength or vigorously
    • she works hard and doesn’t give up
    • eager heart and diligence
    • work hard every day
      • the minute you’re not, it falls apart and piles up
      • however there is never a perfect home!
  • v18: it was quality and desirable
    • works into the night
    • her lamp does not go out by night
      • she stays up late
      • her door is always open
    • remember that we have artificial days, sun sets at around 7
      • the evening are for the Lord also

• Proverbs 31:19-20

  • v20: she works hard, however isn’t so busy that she doesn’t see others needs
    • like the Good Samaritan, he was busy, but he stopped to help
      • God’s greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself
      • she loves her neighbor and helps them when they’re in need
    • “She works not to get rich, but to give to the poor. She can be concerned for others because she had provided for her family.’ Nelson’s NKJV commentary

• Proverbs 31:21-22

  • v21a: not afraid of the being cold
    • thinks ahead and is prepared
    • fulfilling a basic need
  • v21b: expensive, yet not so much to take away from giving to the poor or others
  • v22a: beds. She makes sure that her family’s beds are clean and comfortable.
  • v22b: after giving to the poor and after giving to her family first, she doesn’t forget herself
    • how she dresses reflects onto her husband

• Proverbs 31:23-25

  • v23: her husband is respected and she enables him to be so
    • because she keeps her home well, he is able to go out and work well
  • v24: yet another way she is bringing in money for her family.
  • v25: she had confidence in God
  • ‘Clothed in strength’ because she relies on God
  • ‘She shall rejoice’ she knows who is her Father, she is the daughter of a King

• Proverbs 31:26

• • v26a: Proverbs 10:19 – when words are many, sin is present
    • don’t neglect the mind
    • seek out wisdom
    • if we feast our minds of things that aren’t God-likeness our tongues will reflect that.
  • v26b: she has a filter
    • didn’t say unkind things like it was a law
    • her words were filled with grace and mercy
      • this is how we should fill our children
      • so that daughters know how to act and so that sons know what to look for in girls.

• Proverbs 31:27

  • v28: make time to sit and talk: ex. dinner!
    • she knows what’s going on with the people in her family
      • learn to slow down and focus on your family
    • time management
    • bread of idleness in NOT no breaks – her rest was productive rest!
      • use your time wisely – be careful that we pour good things into ourselves.

• Proverbs 31:28-29

  • when her children have grown, they will call her blessed
    • if we aren’t getting that praise at home, are you doing enough at home?
  • This isn’t a promise, it’s a principle
    • your man may not be the 1st Timothy man
    • in the end, be who God wants you to be
  • This is a quote of the husband
    • what he’d say to the proverbs wife.

• Proverbs 31:30

  • v30a: charm is what first brings you in – but it’s false
    • culture says that beauty is important
    • cannot put your self worth into our beauty
      • invest your beauty in the inside
  • v30b: living your life with respect of Him
    • God is always with us
      • be aware of His presence
    • you don’t need to give a ‘zinger’ back when responding to someone who is negative
      • God is in the conversation also.
      • for God’s glory and honor always

• Proverbs 31:31

  • v31: hardworking, generous, kind, rare, God-fearing
    • hands are often seen in motion, in activity.
      • work of your hands
      • work hard and often
      • very busy lady
    • serving is a good thing
    • the world has lied, the joy of a woman is success in the home, not in the world.