|
Far Above Rubies
Introduction:
Proverbs 31 provides
the advice King Lemuel’s mother gave him. It portrays a picture of
ideal womanhood as both a wife and a mother. We will see that it is
when a woman recognizes her God-given roles as wife and mother that she
can find her greatest fulfillment and accomplish the most good.
Body:
I. Her
Advice Proverbs
31:4-5 “It
is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for
princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And
pervert the justice of all the afflicted.” NKJV Stay
away from alcohol in any form – wine, beer, liquor. Why? For one
reason, it affects the brain causing your judgment to be clouded. Poor
decisions are made under its influence. Proverbs
31:8-9 “Open
your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to
die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the
poor and needy.” NKJV Stand
up for the poor and needy. Proverbs
31:26 “She
opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.” NKJV Listen
to the wisdom of your mother. Note: II
Timothy 3:14-15 “But
you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured
of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you
have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” NKJV II
Timothy 1:5 “When
I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt
first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am
persuaded is in you also.” NKJV
II. Her
Character
· Her
Value Proverbs
31:10 “Who
can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” NKJV Virtuous,
excellent She possesses both moral and spiritual qualities. She is a
godly woman (Ruth
3:11) “And
now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request,
for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.” Proverbs
31:25 “Strength
and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.” NKJV Strength
and dignity are so much a part of her character that they seem to be
part of her clothing. Proverbs
31:17 “She
girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.” She
is strong in the ways of God. Proverbs
31:29 “Many
daughters have done well, But you excel them all. NKJV Surpassing
excellence!
· Her
Family Proverbs
31:11 “The
heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of
gain.” NKJV She
is trustworthy. No marriage can survive jealousy and mistrust. Her
children know she has their best interests at heart. Proverbs
31:27-28 “She
watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of
idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also,
and he praises her;” NKJV She
is diligent in taking care of her family, not idle or lazy. Proverbs
31:15, 19 “She
also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants. 19 She
stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the
spindle.” NKJV Her
family means the world to her.
· She
is compassionate. Proverbs
31:20 “She
extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the
needy.” NKJV She
is concerned for the poor and needy. She looks for opportunities to
show kindness to others. (Romans
12:13) “distributing
to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” NKJV
Conclusion:
Proverbs 31:30-31 “Charm
is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she
shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own
works praise her in the gates.” NKJV Her
excellent character and works call for public honor. She should be
praised “in the gates.”
Bobby Stafford
May 12, 2019 |
The
church of Christ
