14 day plan

Mothers of the Bible

Day 14 of 14

GNT

Proverbs 31:26-30

26She speaks with a gentle wisdom.

27She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.

28Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.

29He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.

Reflection:  The woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 is often
upheld as an example of an exceptional wife. In these verses we read that ‘her children arise and call her blessed’, so we can see that her qualities also make her an exceptional mother. This passage can give anyone – whether a mother or not – admirable characteristics to focus on and prayerfully seek to acquire. This lady is full of diligence in providing for her household, and has a servant heart: she is motivated and busy in providing food for her family (verse 15). She has vigour in her daily tasks, and keeps busy and purposeful. She is compassionate to those in need, and acts to help them (verse 20). She is described as being ‘clothed with strength and dignity’ (verse 25). She ‘speaks with wisdom’ and gives ‘faithful instruction’ (verse 26). She is not idle.  Most importantly, in all that she does, this woman ‘fears the Lord’, and by her life shows that this is
the most important thing, because charm is deceptive, and beauty is a fleeting thing.

Question: How does the example of this ‘woman of noble character’ inspire you? Are there any character traits in particular that challenge you, or that you would like to prayerfully cultivate in your own life?

Prayer:  Dear Father, we pray that in all things, we would put you first, just as this woman did. Please grant us wisdom, so that we may speak it to others and offer faithful instruction to those around us. Please give us diligence in our daily tasks, a servant heart towards those in our
lives, and compassion towards those in need. Please give us your perspective, so that we can recognise those things which are passing away, and are not worth seeking, and those things which honour you and last for eternity. Amen.

We have been reading the Bible with Karen Mudge. Tomorrow we begin a new series, The Gospel in Action, Changing Lives, with Robert McKean.

Proverbs 31:1-31

Advice to a King

1These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:

2“You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? 3Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings. 4Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. 5When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. 6Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.

8“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. 9Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy.”

The Capable Wife

10How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!

11Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.

12As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.

13She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.

14She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.

15She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.

16She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.

17She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.

18She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.

19She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.

20She is generous to the poor and needy.

21She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.

22She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.

23Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.

24She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.

25She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.

26She speaks with a gentle wisdom.

27She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.

28Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.

29He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.

31Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.