Morning Devotion - Prov. 31

Read Proverbs 31

This famous concluding chapter of the book of Proverbs is one of the central chapters in the Bible for understanding the character and lifestyle of a godly woman.

A Mother's Wisdom
The chapter begins with three important instructions from a mother to her royal son. First, do not let your life be governed by your appetite for women (3), an interesting point in a book largely written by Solomon: Note Nehemiah 13:23-27:
23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?"

Second, do not let your life be governed by your appetite for strong drink (4-7), appropriate for those who are perishing and need to be medicated in their misery.

In the third place, be purposefully engaged in defending the just cause of the destitute. (8-9)

An Excellent Wife
Perhaps as the final piece of advice from this godly mother to her son, the book closes with an implicit instruction to the man who would be an adult to choose his wife wisely and thereby gain a precious jewel.

One of the reasons that a certain level of maturity is necessary for this important life decision is that so many young men would foolishly choose a wife based on beauty and charm (30), only to face the dire consequences of an ill-advised match.

An excellent wife does her husband great good by her demonstrated character (12). Such a jewel is industrious, capable, resourceful, intelligent, courageous, merciful, strong, dignified, and wise (13-27). Her instruction is a blessing to her children if they will hear it, and her character should win her the praise of her husband (28-29) and of the public at large (31). A king who was married to such a woman is wonderfully aided in his duties because of this great gift.

The church is called to be a holy wife to the best of all husbands, the Lord Jesus Christ. She will one day be perfected in holiness. He considers this bride to be a great prize (Ephesians 1:18, 5:22-33), and He has demonstrated His love for her by His death. Such a wonderful Husband is worthy of the greatest woman of integrity as His bride.

Imagine! We are not only sons of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, but are to be the eternal bride of our King and Messiah.