The Work of Wisdom
In honor of mothers day we’re going to talk about wisdom; which is appropriate considering how wisdom plays an active daily part in the life of a mom. We'll start with what the Bible says about wisdom with a Scripture you may wonder about at first. Why are we reading this Proverb when we're discussing wisdom? Settle down mom, I'll explain...
Proverbs 31:10-31
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Wow. What a standard for mom's. How many mom's feel a little inadequate after reading that!
Let’s just take a look at what this wife and mom does:
She makes all the clothes for her family, towels, sheets and blankets with wool that she spins herself. She gets up before dawn to make breakfast for her family, she buys and sells real estate, plants and manages a vineyard, sews and sells clothing accessories for businessmen, and all her business dealings are profitable. She serves routinely at a homeless shelter, she has a sense of humor, her husband is famous and all her children stand up when she enters a room and proudly proclaim out loud, “you’re the best mom in the world.”
I think it's time we take a look at what this passage of Scripture is really about, before mom's everywhere begin to throw rocks at me...
What Proverbs 31 is:
Proverbs 31 is an alphabetical acrostic, a literary tool used to help aid memorization. Each line of the proverb begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. Proverbs 31 was traditionally recited by husbands and children at the Sabbath table on Friday evenings. (the expositors Bible commentary – Proverbs, page 1128)
Hey mom, how would you feel if your family adopted the same tradition? Would you like to recite this Proverb every Friday night?
Let's discuss what this Proverb is really talking about
The heart of it:
the stated purpose of Proverbs as a collection is to teach what? Wisdom.
Proverbs 1:2 - Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise
Proverbs 1:20-23 - Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise
Let's ask another question. According to this collection of wise statements that is Proverbs what is more precious than rubies?
Proverbs 3:15 - Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her
Proverbs 8:11 - For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it
Proverbs 20:15 - Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies
Does Proverbs 31 say something similar?
Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies
Breathe easy mom, Proverbs 31 is actually a metaphor for wisdom! Proverbs begins by saying it's about teaching us wisdom and concludes with a stunning allegory for what wisdom is.
If you're not quite convinced...
Psalm 111 is another acrostic that uses much of the same language as Proverbs 31
From the expositors Bible commentary:
“Psalm 111:2 speaks of God's works; Proverbs 31:13 speaks of her works.
Psalm 111:2 says that the works of the Lord are searched or 'pondered' (derushim); Proverbs 31:13 says that she 'selects' (dareshah) wool and flax.
Psalm 111:3 says that the Lord's work is honorable (hadar; NIV, 'majestic') Proverbs 31:25 ascribes strength and 'dignity' (hadar) to the woman.
Psalm 111:4 says that the Lord is gracious and full of compassion; Proverbs 31:26 ascribes the law of compassion to the woman.
Psalm 111:5 says that the Lord gives 'food' (terep); Proverbs 31:15 says that the woman provides 'food' (terep) for her house.
Psalm 111:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? the theme of Proverbs is wisdom; Proverbs 31:30 describes the woman as fearing the Lord.
Psalm 111:10 says that the Lord's praise will endure; Proverbs 31:31 says that the woman will be praised for her works.
It is clear [or at least reasonable to think] that Proverbs 31 is patterned after the hymn to extol the works of wisdom”
“The emphasis at the end of the poem, as one might expect, is not on beauty or charm, but on the woman's fear of the Lord. Indeed, this woman is the epitome of wisdom. She is the human embodiment of God's wisdom; a flesh-and-blood personification of Woman Wisdom" How to Read Proverbs by Trevor Longman
So now that we know Proverbs 31 is defining wisdom for us, what can we learn about it.
What is wisdom and the results of those who possess it?
1. Wisdom is precious and can be trusted
Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies
James 3:13-18 - If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
2. Wisdom is efficient and effective
Proverbs 31:16-18 - She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night
Matthew 11:19 - The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Luke 21:15 - for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
3. Wisdom is Courageous
Poverbs 31:25 - She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future
Acts 6:10 - None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke (Stephen died that day, he was stoned to death)
4. Wisdom is Compassionate
Proverbs 31:20 - She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy
1 Corinthians 1:30 - God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin
James 3:17 - But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
5. Wisdom is Obedient to God
Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised
Psalm 111:10 - Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom
Titus 2:12 - And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God
6. Wisdom is Rewarded
Proverbs 31:31 - Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise
Colossians 2:3 - I want (you) to have complete confidence to understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong
2 Chronicles 1:7-12 - That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.
Is it a shock that the writer of Proverbs 31 used the metaphor of a wife and a mom to explain wisdom? It's not a shock to me.
Happy Mother's Day.
