May Messages | Part Two
The book of Proverbs features two women. Not literal women, but symbolic women. One woman is foolishness personified, and the other is wisdom personified. This is wisdom personified. Proverbs 31:10-31.
v. 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
v. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
v. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
v. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
v. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
v. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
v. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
v. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
v. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, her lamp does not go out at night.
v. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
v. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
v. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
v. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
v. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
v. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
v. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
v. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
v. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
v. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
v. 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
v. 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
v. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Question 1: You don’t have to have heard the sermon from Sunday, but if you were in church, watched online, or listened to the podcast, what stuck with you?
Question 2: The message was built around five characteristics of the wise woman in Proverbs 31. Focus on whichever characteristics and questions you like:
→Work ethic – she develops a sowing business (v 13) and expands into agriculture (v 16), works for her family (v 15), and works for the poor (v 20). And her work is honored (v 31)!
Question: How can you develop a godly work ethic in others, and how can you recognize and honor that work ethic in others when you see it?
→ Layers – her “outer layers” are beautiful (v 22 “linen and purple”) but the “inner layers” of her character are also essential (v. 25 “clothed in strength and dignity”).
Question: How can you help others develop the “inner layers” of character, strength, and dignity? And how can you do this also for yourself?
→ Wise words – v 26.
Question: Where in your life do you need to seek the wise counsel of others, wise men but particularly wise women? How can you offer wise counsel to others?
→ Ally – fascinatingly, there are six Hebrew military terms used to describe the wise woman. So we could think of her as an “ally” – an ally to her husband, an ally to her family, an ally to the poor, an ally to her community.
Question: One wise woman came to Jeremy after the message and said, “As woman, we don’t need to be rescued but we do need other people to have our back.” How can you “have the back” of the women in your life?
→ Fear of the Lord – v 30, The “fear of the Lord” is often misunderstood, but it is in fact a good thing. It is a righteous respect for the power, grandeur, and enormity of God. And if we properly “fear the Lord” perhaps we don’t have to fear anything else.
Question: What are some of your fears? How might a good, wise “fear of the Lord” change your relationship with your fears?
BONUS POINT: Encouragement!
Question for Women: How can you encourage other women this week?
Question for Men: How can you encourage other women this week?
...
New to Circle of Peace Church? Click the button to plan a visit for a Sunday Morning!
Find More Sermons
Want to watch more messages? Find some more below!