Proverbs 31:1
Outline:
I \\#1:1-9\\ Introduction
II. \\#1:10-9:18\\ - A Father’s Exhortations
III. \\#10:1-22:16\\ - Short Proverbs
IV. \\#22:17-24:34\\ - Medium-Length Proverbs
V. \\#25:1-29:27\\ - More Short Proverbs
VI. \\#30:1-33\\ - Agur’s Proverbs
A. \\#30:1-6\\ Introduction
B. \\#30:7-9\\ Two Wise Requests Agur Makes of God
C. \\#30:10\\ Do Not Accuse A Servant
D. \\#30:11-14\\ Agur Described a Generation
E. \\#30:15-16\\ Four Never Satisfied
F. \\#30:17\\ Don’t Disrespect Your Parents
G. \\#30:18-20\\ Four Things Too Hard to Understand
H. \\#30:21-23\\ Four Things Not Right
I. \\#30:24-28\\ Four Small Things with Large Lessons
J. \\#30:29-31\\ Four Things Which Do What They Want
K. \\#30:32\\ Don’t Brag
L. \\#30:33\\ Some Things That Just Are
VII. \\#31:1-31\\ - King Lemuel’s Proverbs
A. \\#1-9\\ Mother’s Admonition To Her Son
B. \\#9-31\\ Son’s Salute To His Mother
I. \\#1-9\\ Mother’s Admonition To Her Son
A. \\#1-2\\ This king is unknown by this name but he received
good advice from his mother.
1. These are the words of the mother to her son. (Notice
they are in the first person.)
2. The latter part of the chapter will be the words of the
son about his mother.
3. These words show the spirituality of the mother. She
offers council to her young king in three areas: women,
drink, justice.
B. \\#3\\ Son - Do not give yourself to women.
1. Your purity is your strength.
2. Giving it away will destroy mighty kings.
C. \\#4-7\\ Drink - Do not give yourself to strong drink.
1. \\#4\\ Rulers should not drink strong drink.
2. \\#5\\ For they are the Guardians of Truth.
3. \\#6-7\\ Let those drink who have no reason to be happy;
those who are about to die; the depressed, the poor,
and the miserable.
D. \\#8-9\\ Justice - Defend the dumb and deliver the poor and
needy.
II. \\#9-31\\ Son’s Salute To His Mother - Listening to Christian
radio, I heard a ladies’ program where the host introduced this
Proverb by saying how many times ladies in conferences had
mentioned being overwhelmed by it. Few women will have all of
these qualities. The is a challenge for women is to be as well-
rounded as possible, not perfect.
A. \\#10-12\\ The Faithful Wife
1. \\#10\\ She is virtuous.
a. The word VIRTUOUS is most unusual.
b. It’s primary meaning is not pure or spotless, although
that is obviously included.
c. It’s primary meaning is force, powerful, strength,
ability.
d. It is translated ARMY 56x, MAN OF VALOUR 37x, also
FORCE 14x, STRENGTH 12x.
e. The word refers to a person, male or female, who is
well-rounded, able, and capable to face whatever
comes.
2. \\#10\\ She is priceless, far above rubies.
3. \\#11\\ She is faithful (the husband needs no other).
a. The HEART of her husband LOVES her.
b. The FAITH of her husband TRUSTS her.
c. The qualities of this woman makes it possible for her
husband to do these things.
d. While it is difficult to understand the mention of
"spoil" in this verse, I take it that the husband
will have no need to take another man’s woman, for
his wife has satisfied him.
4. \\#10\\ She is rare. The fact that such a woman as this
must be found demonstrates her rarity.
5. \\#12\\ She will do her husband good. This is not just a
reference to her character but to her behavior and her
benefit. She will be good to her husband.
B. \\#13-22\\ The Able Helpmeet - As stated many times, the woman
is in no way inferior to the man. She simply has a different
role. The qualities listed about this woman not only humble
other women; they humble men.
1. \\#13\\ She is talented with her hands.
a. There are four references to her sewing ability
\\#19, 21, 22, 24\\.
b. This was a most basis and needed skill of the wife
before our modern-day manufacturing, hence it is
emphasized repeatedly.
c. All of the labor mentioned in this text is WILLINGLY
given. Warren Wiersby said, "It’s not a matter of
compulsion but compassion" which drives this woman
to her work.
2. \\#14\\ She is talented with her cooking.
a. Like the cargo ship bringing in an abundance, this
woman has good food.
b. Although many wives have forsaken this basic talent,
it is a skill that will always be needed.
3. \\#15\\ She rises early to start her home right.
a. Without doubt, the home revolves around the wife.
b. This woman is up to get everyone else started on the
right foot.
c. She recognizes her job is to get them started full
and happy.
4. \\#16, 18\\ She is business minded.
a. Not only the love (emotion) and skill (body) of this
woman are mentioned, but also her mind (considereth).
b. She has a good mind (considers \\#16\\, perceives
\\#18\\) but then puts her back into making her
business prosperous (she plants \\#16\\, works during
the night).
c. These two verses have the same thoughts of diligence
but \\#16\\ speaks of farming while \\#18\\ speaks of
selling.
5. \\#17\\ She is strong.
a. She makes herself strong.
b. True strength must begin in the heart (lions) before
it will do the arms any good.
6. \\#20\\ She is generous.
a. This woman is kind-hearted to the less fortunate.
b. Note it is the good woman who reaches out to the poor
and needy; not they who reach out to her.
7. \\#21-22\\ She is prepared.
a. This is another verses which mentions the woman’s
sewing ability but with the emphasis now on planning
and preparation.
b. Because of her preparations, she has no need to fear
the expected dangers.
c. Her family is not only clothed for warmeth but in
scarlet, purple, and silk, which are not only
functional, but beautiful as well.
C. \\#23-29\\ The Celebrated Woman
1. \\#23\\ She is celebrated by her husband.
a. The innuendo is that he is well known because of her
behind-the-scene work.
b. Behind every great man is an even greater woman.
2. \\#24\\ She is celebrated in the market.
3. \\#25\\ She is celebrated in the future.
a. She is strong.
b. She is wise.
4. \\#26\\ She is celebrated by wisdom.
a. She is wise.
b. She is kind.
5. \\#27\\ She is celebrated by her household.
a. She is diligent.
b. She is not idle.
6. \\#28\\ She is celebrated by her children.
7. \\#29\\ She is celebrated by all.
D. \\#30-31\\ The Godly Christian
1. \\#30\\ She does not put her trust in the "favors" of
others.
2. \\#30\\ She does not put her trust in her beauty.
3. \\#30\\ She fears (and trusts) the Lord
4. \\#31\\ Her reward will be her works and those works will
bring her the prominence and praise due her.
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