Proverbs 31:26-31

 

Prov 31:26 (KJB)

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 

She does not spew vain words which have little or no meaning. When she does speak, they will be words of wisdom, which all that hear will benefit from. Wisdom is not something which is unusable, it is something that can help order a life or to help straighten one out that has taken the wrong road. She does not bring her wisdom with a strong or censorious mouth instead she brings wisdom with a kind tongue and delivers words which are easily acceptable by others.

 

Prov 31:27 (KJB)

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 

Idleness - Laziness

 

She is concerned that every part of the household is running properly and if there is something which needs to be looked after, she is not so lazy as to command one of her servants to do it, instead, she herself will look after the situation because she refuses to become idle because idleness leads to all kinds of trouble. Idleness can lead to gossip which can lead to further troubles in the home and even in a church. Gossip spewed on Monday will have a definite effect next Sunday. It is the thing which destroys homes and churches.

 

Prov 31:28 (KJB)

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 

Her children will praise her not because she does everything for them, but because she imparts wisdom to them and she helps to raise them in the fear of the Lord so they will grow up and be prosperous in whatever tasks they attempt to tackle. Her husband sees how wise she is and how well she uses that wisdom to make the home a better place than it was the day before. Her excellent ways cause him to praise her for being a perfect companion for him.

 

Prov 31:29 (KJV)

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 

No doubt while this man was growing up he was probably exposed to many women where he was living. He may have lived in a very wealthy area where the women were brought up well-educated and proper. He tells his wife that many were virtuous but she has excelled them all. He can now say that with all honesty as he has seen how well his wife has managed the house and the wisdom of her many decisions. He may have knowledge of some of the other women he knew from the other husbands in the gate and has compared them to his wife and that is why he is able to make true comparison.

 

Prov 31:30 (KJB)

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

 

If a man favors a woman and thinks that she might make a good wife, then he may marry here and then be in for the surprise of his life. The deceit is that he likes her but has really not come to know her mindset and to see where her strengths and weaknesses lie. Then the other deceitful reason to marry a woman is because of her beauty. Beauty is vain and fades after a few years, then when that happens, the beauty he fell in love with has disappeared for good and then maybe his love for her will also vanish. The woman who fears the Lord, is the right one to marry because she fears the Lord and that fear causes her to gain much wisdom as she filters everything through obedience to the Lord. When that happens, the household is run properly and there will be a prosperous milieu, it may not be earthly wealth but it will definitely be spiritual prosperity. If you marry a godly woman and maybe she will not be picked for a cover of a magazine, but she will make up for that by being the best companion you could ever dream of.

 

Prov 31:31 (KJB)

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

 

(Ruth 3:11 KJV) And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. Just as Ruth was a virtuous woman, the woman who married the man in this narrative was also a virtuous and prosperous woman. She will receive of the fruit of her hands by reason of the wise decisions that she made in the past. She will enjoy the fruits of her labor. Those that know of her will praise her for the things she had done for them. The wise and godly works of hers will be known in the gates, where the rulers of the city sit. (Acts 9:39 KJV) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Dorcas was a woman who was praised for all the works that she did showing that she was a godly woman with a heart to help others. The Proverbs 31 woman was praised for her charity and gifts to others. This showed she did not possess a selfish or self-centered mindset.

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