Proverbs 31:28-31 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 31:28-31, which read,

Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:  "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."  Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

The queen mum is finishing up her instruction to her king son about a worthy woman to be his wife but it is also the end of this book and we have summarizing statements here.  

What greater praise than for a wife and mother to received the praise of her children and husband.  The children rise up and the husband vocally says something about her.  Why is this happening?  It is because of all the verses before that have described her character and her activities that are focused on her God and others, especially her household.  These reactions are a response to her obedience to God.

We are given a quote from the husband who compares her to all other daughters but none measure up to her.  She has excelled them all in his eyes.  I gather she probably blushed or tried to downplay such a statement but coming from her husband this proclamation is entirely appropriate.  We are to praise others for following after God and let them know that they are appreciated for doing so.  Maybe this was the very first observance of Mother's Day to one who cared and acted upon her responsibilities with godly obedience.

How beautiful is this lady?  Very beautiful but it doesn't come from charm and outward beauty.  Those things are vain and shallow.  Her beauty comes from her fear of the Lord.  The book of Proverbs comes full circle with the phrase "the fear of the Lord" from chapter 1 verse 7.  We have been given a well drawn out example of what a person who fears the Lord looks like.  Again, guys, adapt this passage to your circumstances of being a man of God, a husband if that applies and also a father.  What is most important that you can give to those around you is the picture of someone who fears, revers, and honors with his very life, God.

At the gates is where proclamations were given and the place where important information was broadcast to the city.  A response of this lady will be made known to others what she has done and why.  It will be her eulogy at the end or her life.  They will speak of her and have plenty of material to share with others because of the life that she lived.  

What will they say at your funeral?  If you are one who fears the Lord and lives out a life that loves God and others then there will be plenty of material because God has a willing servant to use for His good pleasure.  He has someone who honors what He says and puts it into action because it brings glory to Him.  All that has been given to us by the queen mum to her king son about this lady is centered around the people immediately surrounding her.  It branches out to others but it originates on how she loves those closest to her.  How are you doing loving and caring for those closest to you?  Do they see and hear and feel someone who fears the Lord?  Let's end with Proverbs 1:7 which reads,

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Let us pray.

"Lord, we end another book of Your word.  Thank You for the book of Proverbs and how You ended it with a vivid picture of someone who doggedly follows after You.  Challenge our thoughts today so that our actions can be more inline with Your heart.  Amen."

Pastor Adam  
A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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