Proverbs 31:10-31

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Wisdom in Virtuosity

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The noble wife of Proverbs 31 is a biblical role model.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Look for more than looks!

QUESTIONS

  1. In verses 11-31, identify the people or groups of people who are positively impacted by the noble and virtuous wife.

  2. How was an acrostic poem written and organized in the Hebrew language?

  3. While the noble and virtuous wife described in verses 10-31 is a perfect role model for the believing wife today, there is an indication in this lesson that such women are relatively rare. Can you identify by name one such woman in the Old Testament accounts?

  4. From verses 11, 23 and 28, how would you describe the relationship between the virtuous wife described in this lesson and her husband?

ANSWERS

  1. The noble and virtuous wife described in this portion of chapter 31 has a significantly positive impact on her husband (vs 11, 28), her household, including household workers (v 15), the poor (v 20), her community (vs 23, 31) and her children (v 28). Her life also greatly pleases the Lord (v 30).

  2. An acrostic poem was written with each verse beginning with a different Hebrew letter in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and verses 10 through 31 contain 22 verses.

  3. Boaz called Ruth a woman of virtue or excellence or noble character in Ruth 3:10 and 11.

  4. From these 3 verses, we can see that the relationship included trust (v 11), respect (v 23), and admiration or praise (v 28).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Consider identifying the many virtuous characteristics of the woman and wife described in the verses of this lesson. Discuss those virtues that are most often missing in your life and the lives of others in your group. Consider how, with God’s help, these missing virtues can be established and strengthened.

CHALLENGE

  1. Are you quick to judge the virtue or character of a new acquaintance by their physical appearance? How often have you been mistaken once you have gotten to know them more intimately? Pray for discernment in evaluating someone’s character, and for a quality of looking for the positive virtues in the lives of friends and acquaintances.

KEY VERSES

  • “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:30 and 31

Proverbs, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsProverbs 31:10-31