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Remember that list of\u00a0military images<\/b> we’ve been keeping as we\u2019ve studied the verses of Proverbs 31? Today we are going to look at that list one more time, while we consider the closing verse of the chapter.<\/p>\n
Assignment:\u00a0<\/b>Pray for the Holy Spirit’s gracious work in your heart as we draw our study of this chapter to a close. Pray that knowledge will become wisdom, and that what you have learned will change how you\u00a0think\u00a0<\/i>about your role as a woman, and that your renewed thinking will in turn change the way you\u00a0live.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Then turn back in your notes to the page labeled\u00a0“Military Images”<\/strong>. What have you recorded on this page as you’ve studied? Let’s compare notes. \u00a0(Take a minute, too, to record these military references in the margin of your Bible for future reference.)<\/p>\n Look at all the imagery of\u00a0warfare<\/b>\u00a0in this typical Mother’s Day sermon text! Valiant womanhood isn’t for wimps!<\/p>\n Bruce Waltke, in his commentary on Proverbs, cites Al Wolters’ assertion that Proverbs 31 belongs to “Israel’s heroic poetry, characterized by recounting the hero’s mighty deeds, usually his military exploits”. He notes similarities between Deborah’s Song in Judges 5, the women’s songs for Saul and David in 1 Samuel 18 and 21, and David’s tribute to Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1.<\/p>\n We’ve been studying (and hopefully memorizing) a heroic hymn for the mighty woman of valor who, like Scripture’s mighty men<\/em> of valor, has displayed courage and confidence in God in the face of challenges and enemies! She has been a true champion for all those around her with her wisdom and eager, tireless work.<\/p>\n These are the kind of works that will praise the valiant woman in the gates \u2013 everyday labor, creative work that reflects God\u2019s creativity, work that glorifies God, work that has been committed to Him.<\/i><\/p>\n Let’s put aside our temptation to view the chapter as a checklist to ambitiously accomplish,<\/em>\u00a0thus proving our worth.\u00a0And let\u2019s also set aside the view of this beautiful chapter as a burdensome duty<\/em> to wave off as impossible-to-accomplish-so-why-even-try.<\/p>\n Instead, let’s look at Proverbs 31 as the call to rise up and follow our victorious King into battle, seizing the mission He assigns us, armed with His strength, empowered by His might, trained by His loving hand, and rejoicing over our already-conquered enemies!<\/p>\n Read Proverbs 31 one more time<\/strong>, viewing it as a heroic hymn that pays tribute to the valiant woman who fears God \u2013 the woman who, as a result of that fear, serves Him and all those around her with wisdom, courage, and a deep trust in\u00a0<\/span>His<\/i>\u00a0faithfulness. <\/span>This<\/em> is a woman who will someday stand before her God and hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGive her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a woman we can\u00a0<\/b>all<\/i><\/b>\u00a0become, by God’s grace<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For your children:<\/strong><\/p>\n Review what you have learned together about the mighty woman of valor that is described and honored in this chapter of Proverbs. She is strong and courageous, and she trusts God. She loves Him and delights in pleasing and serving Him. She is wise.<\/p>\n Then read<\/strong> (or recite) the passage together<\/strong>, stopping to talk about the evidences of her strength, courage, and faith. How is she like the mighty men of valor who fought victoriously on the battlefield?<\/p>\n Help your daughters<\/strong> understand that they will spend their entire lives learning God’s wisdom. They will not be “finished” women of valor when they leave your home, when they marry, or when they bear children. They can start now<\/em> in their commitment to a lifetime of learning and growing in wisdom and valor.<\/p>\n Help your sons<\/strong> understand that they will not find a “finished” woman of valor when they look for a wife. God will use them, along with many other people and circumstances, to help their wives grow in wisdom and valor. They need to be teachable and humble and growing in wisdom now<\/em> and all through their lifetimes so that they are ready to fight their own battles in God’s strength, and prepared to lead their families in humble, courageous obedience to God.<\/p>\n Remind yourself that you are not a “finished” woman of valor either. God will continue to test you, teach you, change you, and mature you as you fear and obey Him. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n
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