As a male who is a follower of Jesus Christ, I am, according
to Scripture, identified not only as part of His “Church,” but, also, as His
“Bride.” Therefore, I need to read
Proverbs 31, not as a text intended primarily for my wife to understand and
aspire to; nor as a text for Mother’s Day sermons I might be called upon to
deliver; nor as a text to provide necessary guidance for young women preparing
to marry; but, rather, I must approach it as a text that I must understand and
employ daily in my own relationship with my Lord. I must aspire to the Christ-honoring character and conduct
of “The Proverbs 31 Woman,” in my own God-ordained role as He graciously identifies
me as His “Bride.” I must ask myself if my love for, and devotion to, Jesus Christ are consistent with these verses from Sacred Scripture.
The following are some brief thoughts on select verses
from Proverbs 31:10-31.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
Do I see myself, not as an “excellent wife,” who was “found;”
but, rather, as one who, though faithless and unclean, has been graciously
“sought out and found” by my “Husband;” and as one who is now in the process of
being prepared…washed…cleansed…that I might “become” the “excellent wife” He
desires and deserves? As that
process proceeds, am I in awe of the reality that I am “precious” in His sight?
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he
will have no lack of gain.
Do I seek always, as His Bride, to be faithful to Him, in all
things? Can He “trust” me? Does my life result in “gain” for
Him? Or, does He suffer loss
because I bear His Name?
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of
her life.
Do I seek always, as His Bride; to speak and act in such a way
that His Name is hallowed, honored, and not harmed? Or, is that of little concern to me?
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing
hands.
Do I seek always, as His Bride, to find and employ the necessary
resources to accomplish His will…willingly? Or, are my efforts undertaken grudgingly and with
resentment, if at all?
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she
brings her food from afar.
Am I willing, as His Bride, to endure the dangers, distance and
loneliness of time away from the safety and security of my harbor, to serve
Him?
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides
food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Am I willing, as His Bride, daily, to rise early, leaving the
comfort of my bed, to serve Him; to prepare for the care of those whom He has
entrusted to me? Or, do I prefer
to “sleep-in,” as I believe I “deserve”?
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the
fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Am I willing, as His Bride, to risk personal material loss and
to experience the weariness of physical labor to invest in that which will bear
fruit for Him, and those whom He has entrusted to me?
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her
arms strong.
Do I, as His Bride, daily, determine to clothe myself in His
strength, pursuing the type of daily regimen (both physical and spiritual)
required to develop and maintain the strength and endurance necessary to labor
for His glory?
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
Do I, as His Bride, daily, recognize the value of all He has
entrusted to me? With that
recognition, do I labor, even though weary, to make the most of the time I
have, that He and others might realize His blessing? Or, do I rather prefer to reward myself with the “rest” I so
rightly deserve?
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands
hold the spindle.
Do I, as His Bride, remain diligently occupied; making use of
even the simplest tools I have, to accomplish necessary tasks, even though they
might seem to be dull, repetitive drudgery.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out
her hands to the needy.
Am I willing, as His Bride, to share with those in need out of
the bountiful blessings, both material and spiritual, which I possess solely by
virtue of my relationship to Him?
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for
all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Do I, as His Bride, live in anxious fear of future
conditions? Or, do I honor Him by
resting in the knowledge of His provision for me, and those whom He has
entrusted to me?
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits
among the elders of the land.
Do I, as His Bride, recognize the high honor and privilege I
have, by His grace alone, to be chosen by Him to enjoy the intimacy of
relationship with Him to Whom one day every knee will bow, and every tongue
confess, that He is Lord of all?
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the
teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Do I, as His Bride, speak, always, in such a manner that His
life-giving wisdom and His soul-healing kindness are heard, that His Word might
accomplish His Holy will?
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and
does not eat the bread of idleness.
Do I, as His Bride, make it my priority to see to it that the
needs of those whom He has entrusted to me are constantly cared for? Or, do I prefer the pursuit of the
“personal time” I perceive that I “deserve”?
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a
woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Do I, as His Bride, desire to be known and recognized by
Christ-like character and conduct; by my awe of and respect for my Lord, even
though that means that I might often, be misunderstood and rejected by the
world? Or, do I seek to be known,
recognized by virtue of that which appeals to, and is held in high regard by
the world, that I might gain their acceptance?
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her
works praise her in the gates.
Am I, as His Bride, known…recognized…by the “fruit” of
Christ-like character that reveals my relationship to Him, and results in His
honor and glory?
