Those who fear the Lord will be praised

Proverbs 31:28-31

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today on this last Monday of 2021 we are also reading the last few verses of Proverbs 31. I did not plan it like this, it just worked out this way, but I do think today's message is a timely one for us for the end of 2021, but also a good beginning for 2022. In these verses the bride is praised for being excellent in character and works. I think it's easy for us to look at the works part and see them as outstanding, but I think the real essence of this piece of scripture lies in verse 30 where she is praised for her fear of the Lord. Her works of excellence flows from this fear of the Lord - it does not come from beauty or charm - but from the FEAR OF THE LORD.

Proverbs 9:10 states:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Let us therefore be reminded that no good works, no excellence, can come from any other place but from a place of fearing the Lord. Fear of the Lord does not mean that we are scared of Him, it means that we have a respectful reverence, an awe-filled wonder and excitement coupled with a deep respect for His greatness and His all-powerfulness, His omni-presence and His all-knowingness. It carries a respectful reverence in His presence for His AWESOMENESS!

Labouring from this place of fear of the Lord will produce fruit that is worthy of His praise, because it is the fruit of His Spirit in and through us - the bride of Christ. Ultimately it is the works of the Holy Spirit in forming and maturing the character of the bride of Christ, as seen in the fruit of her labours, that is worthy of praise in the gates of the everlasting city of God.

Points to ponder this week

• Rejoice in the fruit of the labour of the Holy Spirit in us and through us during the past year
• Let us focus our attention for the year to come on having the fear of the Lord that brings an AWE for Him, and let us allow the Holy Spirit to labour in us to build our character, and through us to produce works that have everlasting fruit.

Let us go into 2022 and fearlessly face the world, but fearfully and respectfully, with fear and awe of our God, face each day in the Name of the One and only true and Holy God.

I stand in Awe - Jesus Culture ft Chris Quilala

She watches over...

Proverbs 31: 27

"She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness."

NASB

The bride 'watches' - interesting word.  This word for 'watch' is used in other places in the Bible often in the context of the King's guards that 'watch' from their watchtowers to see if there are danger, enemies or messengers approaching (e.g. 2 Sam 18:24-27, 2 Kings 9:17-20).  In Song of Songs 7:4 this word is used in the context of the bride being described as a tower watching out in the direction of Damascus, in other words as being a watchman looking out, discerning approaching danger or messengers from afar.  

Likewise consider the context of the following scriptures: 

Is 21:6
"For thus has the Lord said to me:
“Go, set a watchman,
Let him declare what he sees.” NKJ

Jer 6:17
"Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!" NKJ

Ezekiel 3:17 

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.." NKJ

Hab 2:1

"...I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation and station myself on the tower or fortress, and will watch to see what He will say within me and what answer I will make [as His mouthpiece] to the perplexities of my complaint against Him. 2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by..."  

When we thus consider the use of the word 'watches' in this scripture in Proverbs, it is not far fetched to understand this scripture to mean that the bride is acting as a watchman for her household.  She is on her watchtower to intercede for her 'household' (a household would include more than just family, it would include everyone that God gives us to be in relationship with, e.g. family, employees, friends and friends of my family, children and grandchildren, etc.) for a number of reasons.  Interceding can take on many forms and can have many purposes, but for the purpose of this devotional I would like us to focus on the following three scenarios:

• She watches out, prays into and brings the Lord's word of direction and encouragement for her household, as well as:
• The Lord's word of warning regarding approaching danger to her household, to ensure that they are prepared and on guard, and
• In doing so for her own household, she would also be doing it for the neighbours and the city and the nation.   

If we consider the following sentence in that verse within the context of intercession, it reminds me of Isaiah 56:10 "[Israel’s] watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, they love to slumber."  The bride in Proverbs 31 is not blind and without knowledge, nor is she dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber - in other words, she does not eat the bread of idleness...  she is vigilant and lives out her calling to watch over her household.

In Revelation 3 there is an end-time warning and an encouragement for us in this context:

"These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Points to ponder this week:

• Let us repent of having a name that we are alive but we are dead, and let us become watchful and strengthen that which remains before it dies.  Let us fan the flame from the few coals there still is, so that the thief will not come upon us unnoticed and so that we will be of those whose garments were not defiled and whose names are not blotted out from the book of life.  
• Since we are nearing the end of 2021, what is the word of encouragement and direction God has for you and your household?
• Is there a word of warning to heed?  
• What about your neighbourhood, city or nation?    

The Watchmen - Paul Wilbur

She speaks godly Wisdom and Kindness...

Proverbs 31:26

"She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]" AMPC

In stark contrast to some of the beliefs and teachings that women are not allowed to speak or more specifically, teach or give instruction in the body of Christ, the bride in  Proverbs 31 is commended for the skillful and godly Wisdom and the law of kindness that she speaks in all her counsel and instruction. What really drew my attention in this verse is the fact that Wisdom is spelled with a capital letter.  Capital letters in the middle of a sentence indicate, amongst other things, personal names.  Who's name then is mentioned as Wisdom in this context?  In my opinion it is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself.  Consider the following scripture in this context:

In 1 Cor 12:8 the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned and in verse 8, we read:  

8 To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit; AMPC

The bride is given, in and through the Holy Spirit, the power to speak a message of wisdom.  It is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself that speaks through the Proverbs 31 woman and she is commended for her obedience to speak the skillful and godly Wisdom the Holy Spirit gives her.  Knowledge and understanding of the law of kindness is also both a gift from the Holy Spirit, and part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit:  

In Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned and kindness is specifically mentioned as one of them: 

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. AMPC

In Isaiah 11:2 the names of the Holy Spirit are given: "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord"

Once again the Spirit of God is described as Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel and Knowledge amongst others.  

My absolute personal favourite scripture about the nature of the Holy Spirit depicted as Wisdom, is in Proverbs 8!   I just post the beginning of the chapter for us but please read the whole chapter - it's too long to quote here but it is absolutely beautiful.  

Proverbs 8

8 Does not skillful and godly Wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice [in contrast to the loose woman]?  2 On the top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, stands Wisdom [skillful and godly];  3 At the gates at the entrance of the town, at the coming in at the doors, she cries out:...

Wisdom is a skillful speaker and not silent at all.  She cries out and raises her voice, she stands at the crossroads, at the gates, doors and the entrances of the town and she cries out...  

The Holy Spirit is in and with and amongst us.  He speaks in and through us Wisdom, Counsel and Knowledge.  God commends the Proverbs 31 woman who speaks under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and encourages her to continue to do so.    

Let us read Proverbs 31:26 again:  

Proverbs 31:26

"She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]"

Questions to ponder this week:

• Do you have the Holy Spirit in you?  If yes, then you also have the gift of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel and the fruit of Kindness in you.
• Have you believed the lie that you are not to speak the words of Wisdom and Knowledge and Counsel and teach the Law of Kindness that He births in your heart?
• Ask His forgiveness and then open your mouth and speak the skillful and godly Wisdom He gives you!

Lets Speak Jesus in a time such as this we will not be silent - Here be Lions

Strength and honour are her clothing...

Proverbs 31:23-25

Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

The gates in ancient cities were built with an inner wall and an outer wall as a double layer of protection.  Between these walls was a space big enough for meetings to take place.  It is here where the leadership,  even the King and his advisors,  gathered to make important governmental decisions. Business transactions were negotiated and sealed in front of individual witnesses as well as in front of a public gathering of the people.  It is here where the husband of the Proverbs 31 woman is well known. He must have been an honourable man and well known in leadership and in business circles of the day.

Somehow we have the idea that in the Bible, women were only allowed to be at home, raise children and run the household.  I do not get that idea from Proverbs 31 at all.  This husband does not seem  threatened by any of her accomplishments, business transactions with the merchants or the work she does in general at all.  The writer of Proverbs 31 acknowledges his accomplishments as a leader as much as it acknowledges her accomplishments.  In fact, she is encouraged and supported by him in all her roles as a leader, a businesswoman, a mother, a provider and a person who lends a hand to the poor.  If he was not respected for the wife he had, perhaps he would not have been as known in the gates as he was. 

This woman is clothed with strength and honour and she rejoices in the time to come.  She looks forward to the future - some translations say she laughs at the future.  She knows who she is, who her husband is and she rejoices in her relationship with him because he respects her and she respects him.  She has an honourable identity and she knows who she is, and she wears it as a garment of strength and honour.

The points to ponder this week:

Our heavenly Bridegroom has given us talents with which we are to live out the calling He has for us.  Are we using them for the benefit of His Kingdom?  

Am I secure in my God-given identity and do I wear it with confidence as a garment of strength and honour?

Am I rejoicing in the future because I know my heavenly husband is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and I can trust Him with my future?  

Wedding day - Casting Crowns