She Speaks Wisdom

What is the WORTH of a PERSON?

Accept Worth

1. She was an example of strength.

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל מִ֣י יִמְצָ֑א וְרָחֹ֖ק מִפְּנִינִ֣ים מִכְרָֽהּ׃

V. 10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
New International Version. (2011).

V. 10 A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies is her price. Young, R. (1997). Young’s Literal Translation.

It is difficult for WEAK individuals to communicate strength to others. God gives strength to the weak and increases the power of the weary (Is. 40:29.) God does not mean for us to live in weakness. He offers a way so that we might be STRONG.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

2. Her value was not measured in comparison to others.

The main audience of Lemuel’s wisdom poem was MEN.
The main purpose was to teach MEN what to look for in a wife. We find this in the structures of the poem:

Introduction: The man was in focus from the start.

Proverbs 31:11  Her husband has full confidence in her
     and lacks nothing of value.
12  She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.

ACROSTIC structure

Chiastic structure
The name is derived from the greek letter chi (“X”). Each point is repeated in SEQUENCE building up to and away from the MAIN point which is at the center of the “X”.

Proverbs 31:20 
She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
     for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
     she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
     and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
     she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

This poem teaches the qualities or traits associated with an IDEALIZED woman. These qualities are sometimes misunderstood to be a standard to which women in general must measure up to be worthwhile.

On the contrary, every person’s worth is ascribed by God.

• Build Worth to benefit others
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

1. She PROVIDED in order for others to thrive.
The poem (v. 13-19) offers a detailed list of the ways in which she provided for others:
• FOOD: a variety of food, food prepared in the morning;
• CLOTHING: clothing for each season; she even prepares the thread;
• LEADERSHIP: gives tasks to household help, considers a financial investment and …
• BUSINESS: engages in purchasing and selling

2. Her efforts were a labor of LOVE.
Proverbs 31:27 is a summary statement about these provisions:
Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

• Communicate Worth to others
Proverbs 31:26  She speaks with wisdom,
     and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
New International Version. (2011).
פִּ֭יהָ פָּתְחָ֣ה בְחָכְמָ֑ה וְתֽוֹרַת־חֶ֝֗סֶד עַל־לְשׁוֹנָֽהּ׃

V. 26 Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness is on her tongue. Young, R. (1997). Young’s Literal Translation.

Proverbs 31:28 
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.