The Godly Woman

Let's turn in our Bibles to Proverbs chapter 31, Proverbs 31, and we are going to begin reading at verse 10 and read through the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest of the rest may may may may may She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax. She works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark.

She provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it. Out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously.

Her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand, she holds the distaff and the grasp, the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor. She extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes clothing coverings for her bed. She is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected in the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed. Her husband also and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Without a doubt, the world's most famous painting of a woman is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

And people continue to flock from all over the world to the Louvre Museum to see her. You may or may not be impressed with her.

I personally don't find her that striking myself. But whatever you think of her here in Proverbs 31, The Holy Spirit paints a portrait of a godly woman that is totally impressive.

The longer you look at her, the more you're struck with every feature. And it's sad that more people are not flocking to their Bibles to get a glimpse of her here.

That more mothers are not studying and emulating her example. That more young ladies are not taking their cues from her instead of from some Hollywood model.

And young men, here is the kind of woman that you want to be on the lookout for. This is the kind of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with as your wife.

Get a good look at her. Become familiar with her. And then by the grace of God, focus on becoming the kind of man that she would be attracted to.

A godly man. So on this Mother's Day, we turn to Proverbs 31 to meet the wife of noble character. The woman, the virtuous woman.

And I believe she was a real historical woman that walked the earth, really lived. She had a real husband who was a leader in the city.

She had children, servant girls, a vineyard, a sewing machine, and a good reputation with others. Nevertheless, we don't know who she was. The Holy Spirit didn't bother to tell us that because the important thing for us is not who she was, but what she was.

And that's what we're told. It's her noble character. It's her virtue. It's her excellencies that are set before us to behold.

Ladies, these are the things you're to study and to imitate. Men, these are the things you to encourage and praise in your wives and daughters.

We're told right up front that she's a rare find. A wife of noble character, a virtuous woman. Who can find? It's almost with desperation.

Who can find such a one? Not many women like this. That was true 3,000 years ago. It's also true today. You might have to look a while to find this kind of woman.

Be patient. She's out there. One writer said if more young men were looking for this kind of women, there'd be more of them to find. And that probably is true as well.

For a faithful man, who can find? The wise man also asks. But we're also told that she's as precious as she is rare. The Antique Roadshow teaches us that rare things are often valuable, expensive things.

And that's certainly true of this woman. She is. She's worth far more than rubies. She's above any price you might even mention. No treasure compares to her value.

And men, if you've got a woman like this, whatever you may not have, you're rich. You are rich. And let her know that. Let her know that you think and believe that you are really rich just to have her.

The treasure that she is. Now, the first snapshot we have of her is with her husband. We notice that. Verse 11. After introducing us to this virtuous woman, right away we're told about her husband.

Verse 11. Her husband. Verse 23. Her husband. Verse 28. He's the greatest recipient of her virtue. He's on the one who receives most from this woman.

So he's mentioned first. And so her opening virtue is that she is a faithful wife. So we're going to see this woman. Different snapshots of her.

It's as we as if we have a scrapbook. And the first picture. She's with her husband. She's with her man. And we see that her opening virtue is she's a faithful wife.

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

She's a source then of rich blessing, but also of steady blessing in his life. Others bring him harm, but not her.

Her daily pursuit is how can I bring him good today? How can I enrich him? How can I help him? How can I serve him? How can I make his life better?

How can I help him? How can I help him? And so she knows what he likes. She studies his needs. She thinks what is best for him.

And then she does it. She does it. She's a woman of action. And she does it not occasionally, not sporadically, but every day. She brings him good all the days of her life.

Isn't that something? The consistency. She's got her bad days. As every man and woman does. But even on those days, she brings him good. Some good to be given.

Even then. That's the woman. This is the woman who eagerly embraces her divine calling in life, which is to be a helper to her man.

She knows she was made for this. Genesis 2.18. God says it is not good for the man to be alone. So I will make a helper suitable to him.

A helper that just fits his need. And from the man's rib, he made a woman and brought her, the helper, to the man. And this Proverbs 31 woman gladly embraces her divine assignment.

I'm a woman on assignment from God to help this man. And she gladly embraces that assignment. She counts it a good day when she's been enabled to help and serve him.

Because that's what she's about. That's the primary way by which she brings honor to God through her life. Next to God himself.

That's her primary relationship and duty. And she knows that she makes the greatest contribution to society, to the kingdom of God, to the good of mankind and the glory of the Lord by helping him and bringing up his children and watching over the affairs of her household.

And so she goes about it all with such skill and such faithfulness that he is able to put full confidence in her. That's what verse 11 says.

Full confidence in her. In all she does, he knows that she will do it in such a way that will commend him and speak well of him. He'll not be embarrassed by her. Full confidence in her faithfulness on all fronts.

He knows each day as he heads off to work that she won't be lying around. She won't be out catting about on frivolous spending sprees, neglecting the kids and the work needing to be done around the home.

No, she'll tend to the children, to the cooking, the cleaning, the mending, the buying, the selling. With such faithfulness that he doesn't have to micromanage her.

And he doesn't have to spend one worrisome thought about whether those things will be done. It's in good hands with this woman.

And it's that freedom from cares at home that enables him to excel in his work. Because he can safely trust the day to day operations of the household into her hands.

He's not a man with a divided mind at work. Wondering how things are going at home. Well, now it's business. Now it's home concerns.

He's not divided like that. And so he's unable to throw himself fully into his tasks. His wife has home base covered well. Now, verse 23 tells us about her husband that he is respected at the city gate where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

And I don't believe this is just a bit of trivia thrown in about the husband that some way unrelated to the wife, to this virtuous woman. Remember, she's the topic of this section.

So even in bringing up her husband, there's something to reflect upon this woman. What is it here? Well, though it's talking about her husband, it's still praising and praising and pointing out her noble character.

If he's a respected leader in the land, that is in no small part because of her. Without her, he'd be half the man in society.

He's far better off because of her. Or we might say he is what he is in his calling because of what she is in his home.

Her life is such that she brings respect and honor to him. Others say, that's your wife? Those who know her or hear of her think more highly of him because of her.

Her work with his children, with his home, with his vineyard, with the poor and needy, wins him respect. Happy the man who has such a woman for his wife.

She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life. And he knows how much he owes under God to her noble character.

And so he praises her. Men, does your wife know how rich you are because you have her? We must tell them and tell them often.

We shouldn't try to be more spiritual than the Bible. And what I mean is this, that the Bible is not squeamish about giving praise to whom it's due.

Not at all. There's a way to praise people in a way that is honoring to God. And we must find that way and do it and do it often.

It's our duty. It's something due as a debt. To withhold it is wrong, is sinful. The last four verses of this chapter are all about her praise.

Isn't that interesting? It ends with her praise. The praise that she receives. Verses 28 through 31. Her children arise and call her blessed.

Her husband also. And he praises her. And we have a quote right out of their mouths. What are they saying? Many women do noble things. But you, you surpass them all.

That's high praise, isn't it? Charm is deceptive. And beauty is fleeting. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

That is her due. Praise is not only encouraged. It's commanded. The next verse. Give her the reward she has earned. And let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

No more than she is to be withheld a paycheck if she's worked at a job. Are you to withhold praise from her that is due her?

And notice where it's coming from. Her children. Her husband. When those closest to her. Are the loudest to sing her praises. You can know that it's real.

It's deserved. It is not put on. It's often otherwise. Those that the world honors are often such that their family can hardly live with them. But leading the praises for this woman are those closest to her.

Those who know her the best. Who've received the most from her. Her husband. Her children. They praise her. And it ends by saying.

Let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Why the city gate? Well there might be many reasons. But let's not miss the most obvious. That's where her husband works.

That's where he's found. And let her receive praise there. It's where he works. And he's talking about her there. Not ragging on his wife like so many.

No he can't find enough good to say about her. So it's lunch break. And he's eating the sandwich that she packed. And. He says.

Wow. This woman's incredible. She got up this morning and picked this lettuce. Just so I could enjoy the crunch. As I bite into it. Let me tell you about this woman.

I married up. This is the. It was one of the best days of my life. When she said I do at the altar with me. It's at the city gate. Where. She is to receive praise.

Man. Do your. Work associates. Know what a gem. A gift from God. You have at home. They ought to. They ought to. And so there's both praise to be given directly to her.

You surpass them all. But also. To be given about her. Let me tell you. About my wife. So we see her faith.

She's. The first. Virtue is. She's a faithful wife. Secondly. Her household is her non-negotiable priority. Her household. Is her non-negotiable priority.

And so this picture. In fact. Many of these pictures. What we notice is that. She's at home. In a lot of them. Not all of them. But in a lot of them.

And it says something to us. Verse 27. She watches over the affairs of her household. That's her husband and children. And no success anywhere else can make up for her failure here.

So. Her household. She super intends her household. That's her focus. Her number one concern. Is her family. And it's never to be something sacrificed.

To convenience. To idleness. Or to other interests. All of her outside business. And ministry. And she does that. Are carried on in a way.

That her family does not suffer. So. She is. In the words of Paul. To Timothy. First Timothy 2. Five. She's busy. At home. Often. She's definitely gets outside the house.

And the things that she does. But home is her. Her base of operations. And her non-negotiable priority. And we don't get the sense that she feels stifled by this calling as a house.

wife. Or a homemaker. She rather finds plenty. Of room. In this role. For her many achievements. To flower. But to watch her.

Is to believe. This woman is in her element. In the home. Her main contributions. Come by selflessly. Selflessly. Pouring herself out. In service to her family.

And through them. Her influence. Is extensive. Her work of mothering. Is no back burner issue. It's not a sideline pursuit. She throws herself into it.

Day. After day. After day. She views her children. As arrows. That are to be. Polished. And then shot forth.

Into this world. And in this task. She continually dies. To self-interest.

In order to serve them. And every day. Her children. Are enriched. By her. Happy. The children. Who can call this woman.

Mother. Then thirdly. We see her work ethic. Indeed. We're given many. Snapshots. Of this woman.

At work. By far. The most words. In this section. Of scripture. Are given. To underscore. This trait. About her. To say. She's a hard worker.

Is putting it lightly. And this is even more. Impressive. If she was. As many. Thinks. A woman.

Of some position. With a husband. As leader. In the city. With servants. To manage. And money. To invest. Often. Often. The more people.

The more money. That people have. The softer. They become. The less. They want. To work. And do. Manual.

Labor. They don't. They don't want. To come. Close. To anything. That might. Damage. Their nails. Or. Melt. Their makeup. Up. Or. Mess.

Up. Their hairdo. Not. This woman. You better. Hold on. Hair. Do. You're. About. To go. For a ride. On. This woman. She.

Works. Hard. She. Jumps. Right. Into. Whatever. Needs. To be. Done. And. Could. Outwork. Many. Men. Now. And. Watching. Over. The affairs.

Of. Her. Household. We're. Told. In. Verse. Twenty. Six. She. Does. Not. Eat. The bread. Of. Idleness. Idleness. Is. Not. Synonymous. With. This woman. It. Just. Doesn't. Fit. Fit.

Some. People. Real. Well. Doesn't. It. Doesn't. Fit. With. This. Woman. Idleness. Matthew. Henry. Says. And. Young. People. You. Ought. To. Hear. This. That. When. We. Have. Nothing.

To. Do. The. Devil. Will. Soon. Find. Something. For. Us. To. Do. That's. Why. You. Need. To. Keep. Busy. Kids. That's. Why. Idleness. Is. The.

Devil's. Workshop. Why. That's. Such. A. Famous. Saying. Because. It's. True. But. There's. No. Idleness. Here. She. Doesn't. Even. Give. The. Devil. Much. Opportunity. Because. She's. Got. Far. Too. Much.

To. Do. First. There's. Her. Sewing. She. Selects. Wool. And. Flax. And. Works. With. Eager. Hands. And. In. Her. Hands. She. Holds. The. Staff. And. Grasp.

The. Spindle. With. Her. Fingers. Making. Clothing. For. All. Of. Her. Household. Herself. Included. Making. Coverings. For. Her. Bed. And. As. As. If. That's. Not. Enough. We. Find. That.

She. Made. Linen. Garments. And. Sells. Them. And. Supplies. The. Merchants. With. Sashes. So. She's. Got. Her. Own. Business. On. The. Side. And. She. Sees.

Her. Hard. Work. We. See. Her. Hard. Work. Not. Only. In. Sewing. But. In. Her. Food. Preparations. And. Some. You. May. May. Say. What's. The. Big. Deal. Well. Remember. This. Was. Not. The. Day.

Of. The. Microwave. And. Process. Foods. And. Refrigeration. And. Freezers. And. Grocery. Stores. Like. Myers. No. Has.

To. Go. To. Get. It. She. Go. And. And. Get. It. And. Bring. It. Into. Her. Home. Now. In. The. Market. Now. In. The. Garden. Gathering. Like. A. Squirrel.

It's. Nuts. And. Bringing. It. Back. To. Her. Home. Base. Verse. Fifteen. She. Gets. Up. While. It's. Still. Dark. She. Provides. Food. For. Her. Family. And. Portions.

For. Her. Servant. Girls. This. Woman. Is. Not. Up. Into. The. We. Hours. Of. The. Night. Watching. Movies. And. Then. Sleeping. In. Till. Ten. No. She's. Got. Work. To. Do. And. So. She. Sacrificially.

Gives. Up. Her. Own. Sleep. To. Be. The. First. One. Up. Out. In. The. Dark. Gathering. Food. Preparing. Food. To. See. To. It. That. When. Her. Family. Gets. Up. They've.

Got. Breakfast. They've. Got. Food. For. The. Day. No. Sleeping. In. For. Her. No. Snooze. Bar. For. Her. And.

Her. Lamp. Goes. Not. Out. At. Night. So. She. Also. Knows. How. Knows. How. To. Extend. Her. Work. When. Needed. At. The. Other. End. Of. The. Day. And.

Just. As. An. Example. Of. Her. Work. She. Plants. A. Vineyard. Verse. Sixteen. Now. In. All. Of. This. Work. That. She. Does. Her. Sowing. Her. Preparation. Of. Food.

Her. Ministry. To. Her. Husband. And. Family. Verse. Seventeen. Tells. Us. That. She. Sets. About. Her. Work. Vigorously. Her. Arms. Are. Strong.

For. Her. Tasks. This. Woman's. Got. Arms. And. Not. From. Pumping. Iron. At. The. Gym. Or. Doing. Pilates. No. Just. From. Doing.

Her. Tasks. She. Busy. And. So. She. Strong. For. The. Tasks. Now. If. You. You. You. May. Need. To. The. Gym. To. Be. All. That. You. Can. Be. It. Your. Task.

But. That's. The. That's. The. Picture. We. Have. This. One. She. Not. A. Frail. Little. Woman. That. Doesn't. Do. Anything. No. She. Busy. And. Busy. Makes. Her. Strong. Now. If. If. God. In.

His. Providence. Is. Not. Giving. You. Good. Health. That's. A. Whole. Not. Everything. All. Together. But. We're. Talking. About. The. Normal. Situation. And. We. Find. This. Woman. Using.

The. Strength. That. God. Gives. And. As. She. Expends. Strength. She's. Becoming. Stronger. And. We. Find. Her. With. Eagerness. With.

Eager. Hands. She. Goes. About. Her. Work. She's. No. Slugger. She's. No. Slacker. Work. Is. Not. Next.

To. This. Mother. Learning. What. Work. Is. Learning. To. Work. Before. Play. Learning.

To. Love. Your. Work. Learning. To. Work. With. All. Your. Heart. To. Not. Doddle. At. Your. Work. To. Not. Do. A. Halfway. Job. To. Finish. The. Job. Learning.

To. Drive. Away. Idleness. Time. Is. No. More. To. Be. Wasted. By. This. Woman. Than. Money. She. Gets. The. Most. Out. Of. Each. Hour.

Her. Motto. Is. Whatever. Your. Hand. Finds. To. Do. Do. It. With. All. Your. Might. And.

Any. Child. Growing. Up. And. Learning. To. Work. From. This. Mother. Is. Given. A. Huge. Advantage. In. A. Day. When. Most. Are. All. To. Work. Those. That. Aren't. Will.

Rise. To. The. Top. But. She. Not. Only. Works. Hard. She. Works. With. Wisdom. She. Working. Hard. But. Not. Stupid. As. We. Say. Verse.

Eighteen. She. Sees. That. Her. Trading. Is. Profitable. Profit. Is. Not. A. Dirty. Word. No. It's. It's. It's. Lauded. Here. As. One. Of. Her. Virtues. That. She. Sees. To.

It. That. She. She. Not. Just. Spinning. Her. Wheels. And. Coming. Out. Any. Further. Ahead. She. Sees. To. It. That. Her. Work. Is. Profitable. She. Working. Smart. She. Financially. Wise.

She. A. Shrewd. Buyer. And. Sell. Buying. The. Raw. Material. Selling. The. Finished. Product. She. Gets. The. Most. Out. Of. Each. Dollar. And. So. Before. She. Buys. She. Considers.

Verse. Sixteen. She. Considers. The. Field. And. Then. She. Buys. It. Out. Of. Her. Own. Earnings. Out. Of. That. Profit. She. Plants. A. Vineyard. Again.

It's. Her. Wisdom. That. Is. Seen. It's. A. Display. Of. Noble. Character. She. Works. Wise. Let us know.

Why? Because. She. Has. Already. Provided. Winter. Clothing. For. Her. Children. She. Can. Laugh. At. Days. To. Come. Verse. Twenty. Five. Says. So.

While. This. Woman. Is. Working. She. Thinking. And. She. Thinking. Ahead. She. Thinking. Into. The. Future.

Kids. Grow. Don't. They. Then. What. Fit. Them. Last. Winter. Probably. Not. Going. To. Fit. Them. This. Winter. She.

Got. It. Covered. She. Thinking. She. She. Planting. Planning. And. Then. She. Doing. What. Needs. To. Be. Done. So. That. That. Need. Is. Met. Ahead. Of. Time. How.

Many. And. So. She. Can. Laugh. At. Days. To. Come. Without. Any. Fear. How. Many. Mothers. Are. Harassed. By. Fears. And. And. Demands. That. Just. Suddenly. Drop. In. Upon.

Them. Because. They. Haven't. Had. Any. Foresight. In. Their. Work. Often. In. Situations. Where. They're. Suddenly. Caught. Unprepared. Now. That. Happens. To. All. Of.

Us. But. But. It. Happens. To. Others. More. Often. Because. They're. Not. Planning. Ahead. And. Sometimes. It's. Laziness. At. The. Root. If.

I. Don't. Have. To. Have. It. Today. Then. I. Don't. Have. To. Do. Anything. Today. And. They're. Caught. Tomorrow. Empty. Handed. Ants. Lay up. Food. In. The. Summer. And.

So. Does. The. Virtuous. Woman. How. Many. Others. Have. To. Sing. Oh. What. Needless. Pain. They. Bear. All. Because. They. Do. Not. Prepare. For. The. Future. This.

Woman. Is. Working. With. Foresight. And. As. She. Does. Her. Children. And. Hus. Further.

Word. About. Her. Work. Ethic. And. It's. This. That. Though. This. Woman. Is. A. Hard. Worker. There. Is. Yet. An. Elegance. About. Her. She. Clothed. With. Strength. And. Dignity. Verse. Twenty.

Five. Says. So. Though. She. Strong. She. She. Dignified. She. Strong. But. She. Not. Brutish. Or. Boorish. She. Not. Crass. Or. Manly.

Strong. Yet. Ladylike. Even. In. The. Way. She. Dressed. What. A. Blend. To. Find. A. Woman. Strong.

And. Dignified. What. Next. Picture. Is. Her. Diffusive. Charity. The. Picture. Is. Of. Her. With. Extended. Hands. To.

The. Poor. Her. Beneficiaries. Go. Far. Beyond. Her. Family. Others. Too. Are. To. Be. Enriched. By. Her. Not. To. The. Neglect. Of. Her. Family. But. In.

Addition. To. Them. And. So. Verse. 20. Says. She. Opens. Her. Arms. To. The. Poor. And. Stretches. Her. Hands. Out. To. The. Needy. A. True. Friend. In. Need.

So. Her. Arms. Are. Open. To. The. Poor. To. Welcome. And. Embrace. Them. Her. Hands. Are. Extended. To. Help. Them. And. Give. To. Them. She.

Works. With. Her. Own. Hands. That. She. May. Have. Something. To. Share. With. Those. In. Need. She. Busy. But. She's. Not. Too. Busy. For. Needy. People. Isn't.

That. Beautiful. It's. One. Of. The. Things. That. Makes. This. Woman. Attractive. She's. Busy. Hardworking. But. Not. Too. Busy. For. People. And. Especially. People.

In. Need. She. Opens. Her. Arms. To. Them. She. Works. That. She. Might. Have. To. Give. To. Them. That's. How. She. Views. Her. Money. Not. To.

All. Be. Spent. On. Herself. And. Her. Family. But. To. Be. Extended. To. Those. In. Need. She's. Ever. Looking. For. Fitting. Objects. Of. Her. Charity. The. Scriptures. Are.

Too. Expansive. On. This. Matter. There. Can. Be. No. Virtuous. Life. Where. The. Poor. And. Needy. Are. Ignored. And. So. This. Woman. Adorns. Herself. With.

Good. Deeds. Appropriate. For. Women. Professing. Godliness. She. Beautifies. Herself. Happy.

The. Poor. And. Needy. Who. Cross. Her. Path. They. Find. Her. A. True. Friend. Indeed. And. Then. The. Pictures. Of. Her. Speech. We. Get. To. See. Her. Talking. Maybe.

This. Is. A. A. Photo. Or. A. Movie. Clip. And. We. Hear. Her. Talking. It's. At. This. Point. Many. Women. Stumble. In. The. Use. Of. Their. Tongues. But. This. Woman. Is.

Different. On. This. Score. Out. Of. The. Abundance. Of. The. Heart. The. Mouth. Speaks. What. Comes. Out. Of. The. Mouth. Proves. What. Inside. And. When. She. Opens. Her.

Mouth. What. She. Is. Comes. Out. Well. She. Is. Wise. And. So. When. She. Opens. Her. Mouth. Verse. Twenty. Six. Says. She.

Speaks. With. Wisdom. And. Faithful. Instruction. Is. Upon. Her. Lips. Or. The. Law. Of. Kindness. Is. On. Her. Lips. This. Woman. Is. Something. To.

Watch. In. Action. When. She. Doing. But. When. You. Hear. Her. Speak. Your. Esteem. Of. Her. Will. Soar. Even. Higher. It's. Her. Words. That. Wisdom.

So. When. She. Speaks. Her. Words. Are. Weighed. And. Worthy. Of. Hearing. Listen. To. Her. Speaking. To. Her. Husband. And.

You'll. Notice. A. Tone. Of. Respect. Listen. To. Her. Speaking. To. Her. Children. And. You'll. Hear. That. Tone. Of. Kindness. And. Patience.

But. Rebuke. And. Correction. Nonetheless. Listen. To. Her. Talking. To. Her. Servants. Not. Demeaningly. Listen. To. Her.

Kind. Word. For. Her. Neighbors. The. Shopkeepers. The. Poor. And. Needy. She's. Able. To. Speak. A. Word. In. Season. To. All. That. She. Meets. So. That.

All. Within. Earshot. Of. Her. Are. Blessed. Now. Ladies. How. Much. Of. Being. A. Faithful. Wife. And. Mother. Has. To. Do. With. The. Use.

Of. Your. Tongue. Won't you. Say. A lot. A lot. Of. What. You. Do. As. A. Wife. And. Mother. Has. To. Do. With. Your. Tongue. Wouldn't.

It. Be. Great. If. Every. Time. You. Open. Your. Mouth. In. The. Context. Of. Home. Relationships. What. Popped. Out. Was. Wisdom. And. Faithful. Instruction. All. Governed. By.

The. Law. Of. Kindness. How's. That. Happen. Well. Certainly. By. Paying. Close. Attention. To. The. Word. Of. The. Lord. For.

The. Holy. Scriptures. As. We. Heard. Are. Able. To. Make. You. Wise. Scriptures. Will. Make. You. Wise. And. Even. Wise. For. Salvation. Through. Faith. In. Christ. Where.

And. So. Happy. Are. All. Who. Hear. Her. Speak. But. We. Save. The. Best. For. Last. Indeed. God. Saved. The. Best. For. Last. Here. We. Have.

A. Snapshot. Of. Her. Heart. Maybe. This. Is. An. X-ray. But. We. Look. Right. Past. The. Outward. Adornments. And. The. Outward. Appearance. For. Man. Looks. On. The. Outward. Appearance.

But. God. Looks. On. The. Heart. And. This. Last. Picture. Is. Of. The. Heart. And. What. We. See. Is. Her. Fear. Of. God. Her. Fear.

Of. God. Verse. 30. Charm. Is. Deceptive. Beauty. Is. Fleeting. But. A. Woman. Who. Fears. The. Lord. Is. To. Be. Praised. A. Woman. Who. Fears.

Six. It's. Far. More. Than. Just. One. Of. The. Many. Characteristics. That. Make. Up. This. Virtuous. Woman. Rather. This. Last. One. Is. The. Reason. For. All. The. Other. Virtues.

It. Is. The. Cause. Of. The. Others. It. Is. The. Well. Spring. Of. All. She. Does. It's. The. Fountain. Filling. Her. Streams. It's. The. Soil. In. Which. All.

Her. Other. Flowers. Grow. She's. A. Woman. Who. Fears. The. Lord. Now. That. Means. Among. Many. Things. That. She.

Thinks. About. The. Lord. A. Lot. And. She's. Thinking. About. Him. She's. Thinking. Big. Thoughts. She.

Sees. Him. For. Who. He. Is. And. Holds. Him. In. The. Highest. Regard. Him. She. Struck. With. The. Profoundest. Reverence. For. Him. His.

Authority. And. Holiness. His. Justice. His. Power. Are. All. Inspiring. And. So. Is. His. Love. And. His. Grace. There's. Forgiveness.

With. Him. That. He. Might. Be. Feared. And. She. Fears. Him. Everything. About. Him. Stirs. Wonder. In. Her. It.

Means. She. Knows. The. Lord. She. Has. A. Relationship. With. Him. She. Walks. With. Him. Throughout. Her. Day. Her. Relationship. With. Him. Is. Central. To. Who. She.

Is. Is. And. Affects. All. That. She. Does. The. Lord. Is. The. Center. Of. Her. Least. Endeavor. He.

Is. Her. Best. Thought. By. Day. Or. By. Night. She. Loves. Him. Oh. She. Loves. Her. Children. And. Her. Husband. But. She. Loves. The.

Lord. More. And. This. Makes. His. Commandments. Her. Grateful. Choice. She.

Is. A. Woman. Who. Fears. The. Lord. Someone. Has. Defined. That. As. The. Conscious. Awareness. That. I. Live. In. The. Presence. Of. God. That. I. Am.

Going. To. The. Nothing. Matters. More. Than. Pleasing. God. That's. The.

Fear. Of. God. The. Conscious. Awareness. That. I. Live. In. The. Presence. Of. God. I. Live. Corum. Dale. Before. The. Face. Of. God. And. I'm. Going. To. The.

Judgment. Of. God. And. Nothing. Matters. More. Than. Pleasing. God. So. She. Lives. Ultimately.

Before. An. Audience. Of. One. It's. His. Praise. She. Seeks. Not. Man's. She. Receives. Man's. Praise. She. Seeks. His. Praise. His. Smile.

Is. Her. Chief. Delight. Her. His. Frown. Is. Her. Greatest. Dread. Her. Most. Important. Consideration. Is. Always. What. Does. The. Lord. Want. What. Is. The. Lord. Command.

What. Does. The. Lord. Say. That's. The. Fear. Of. The. Lord. And. That's. The. Most. Important. Thing. About. This. Woman. If.

There's. Any. Secret. To. Her. Godly. Wife. To. The. To. Her. Godly. Life. It's. This. That. She. Fears. The. Lord. And. You'll. Never. Understand. All. Of. These. Aspects. Of. Her. Life. Until. You.

Come. To. Grips. With. This. Fact. She. Is. A. God. Fearing. Woman. That's. Why. She's. Able. To. Be. Faithful. To. Her. Husband. Because. The. Lord. Has.

Commanded. Her. To. Be. Such. That's. Why. She. Spends. And. Is. Spent. For. Her. Children. Because. The. Lord. Has. Given. Her. That. Assignment.

That's. Why. She. Lays. Down. Her. Own. Rights. That's. Why. She's. So. Selfless. Because. It's. In. The. Spirit. Of. Her. Lord. Who. Came. Not. To. Serve. To. Be.

Served. But. To. Serve. And. To. Give. His. Life. As. A. Ransom. For. For. Many. It's. Why. She. Speaks. With. Wisdom.

And. Kindness. Because. Her. Lord. Is. Listening. To. Her. Every. Word. It's. Why. When. She. Opens. Her. Mouth. Wisdom.

Comes. Out. Because. The. Fear. Of. The. Lord. Is. The. Beginning. Of. Wisdom. It's. Why. She. Spends. Herself. On. Behalf. Of. The. Poor. Because. She.

Knows. The. Grace. Of. Her. Lord. Who. Though. He. Was. Rich. Yet. For. Her. Sakes. Became. Poor. That. She. Through. His. Poverty. Might. Be. Made. Rich. And. He. Now.

Wants. Her. To. Pour. Herself. Out. To. Become. Poor. To. Make. Others. Richer. You. See. It's. All. Wrapped. Up. In. This. Last.

Word. That. She. Fears. The. Lord. That's. What. Made. Her. What. She. Was. Oh. I. Trust.

As. We. Come. The. Beauty. Of. This. God. Fearing. Woman. And.

If. The. Beautiful. Flowers. In. Your. Life. Are. Wilting. Ladies. You. Might. Look. To. The. Soil. You. Might. Look. To. The. Soil. Of.

The. Fear. Of. God. Is. He. Your. Regard. Is. He. Your. Highest. Your. Greatest. Love. Your.

Greatest. Desire. You. See. Her. Vertical. Relationship. Affected. All. Of. Her. Horizontal. Relationships. Do you know this Lord?

He. Welcomes you to come to him. It's through. Trusting in the Lord Jesus. His life and death. That. We become forgiven. And we come to know him.

Whom to know his life eternal. And I trust. If we. Have seen beauty in this picture.

We'll come to see. How intensely practical. True feminine godliness is.

We just. We just had it opened up and unpacked. What. What does it look like. For a woman to fear the Lord? What does it look like. For a godly woman. To be alive. On planet earth.

You've seen it. Do you see the beauty of it? Do you see. How intensely. Practic. It comes down to how she works. Comes down to how she thinks. It comes down to. How she gives.

Every aspect of her life. Is. Is touched. And transformed. By. Her relationship. Her fear of God. No.

This. True godliness. Does not send a woman. As a recluse. Into a convent. But it sends her into the arms. Of her husband. Into the house.

Of her children. Where she spans. On their behalf. And glorifies. God. As a wife. And as a mother. As a neighbor. As a friend.

As a helper. To the poor. And folks. The reason. There is such a picture. In the bible. Is because of what. Jesus Christ. Has done. No woman. Would be this.

To her husband. To her children. To her neighbors. But for Jesus. He has purchased. This beauty. He has purchased.

This. This wonderful. Picture. Of what. Home life. Is to be. What. A godly. Woman's life. Can be. By the virtue. And power. Of the Lord Jesus.

Let's love him. And serve him. And thank God. For. The grace. That he gives. To our mothers. And wives. To reflect.

This image. Painted for us. In Proverbs 31. Let's take our hymnal. And sing. 626. Our father.

We thank you. For such a picture. In Proverbs 31. And we thank you. For every. Reflection. Of her. That we see. In our mothers. And wives. That you have given us.

And we acknowledge. What grace. Has come. From Christ. And his cross. To rescue us. From. The self-centered. People. That we are. To where we would see.

Mothers. Pouring themselves out. On behalf of their husbands. And children. And neighbors. And poor. And needy. Oh God. We worship you.

For every bit of your grace. Common and special. That has made this world. Not just a. A place to exist. But where we have tasted such things.

That make us to. To long for. More. And to even. To experience. What you have planned. For the future. So thank you.

For our mothers. And we ask for grace. For each. Lady here. That they might go on. Walking in the fear of the Lord. Growing in that relationship. With you. And that their life.

Would leave behind. A trail of blessing. To all who meet them. We ask in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.