favour & beauty {21}

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Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

I think this verse is to encourage those of us that want to rely on the praises of our family and friends for the measure of our accomplishments. 

This woman has already been said to have favour and strive for beauty in her home and her life and yet, it is her fear of the Lord that brings praise!

Bu what is the fear of the Lord?

In 1 Samuel and 2 Chronicles we find places where the fear of the Lord caused people to obey His commands.

In Job we read that: the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

In the book of Psalms we read: the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding [19:9] and

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. [34:11-14]

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. [111:10]

Several times in Proverbs we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom [1:7, 29; 2:5; 9:10; 15:33]

We also see in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord causes us to depart from evil [16:6]; brings a satisfied life [19:23]; brings riches and honour and life [22:4].

In Isaiah we read that the fear of the Lord brings understanding and is a treasure! [11:3; 33:6].

And in Acts we see that walking in the fear of the Lord brings rest to our soul [Acts 9:31]

Let this encourage our hearts to FEAR the LORD above ALL other endeavors in this life!

her own works {22}

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Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:31

WOW! this last verse here….

Her own works, the fruit of her personal labors, will bring praise to her life!

Shall we recap the things this lady has accomplished?

First, her husband’s heart RESTS in her. She gives him no need to seek spoil. She does him good-on purpose! She works willingly, acquires food for their nourishment. She works in the night and rises early, during different seasons and needs in their life. She strengthens herself and is a businesswoman. She has learned different arts and trades to help her family and is hospitable. She strives to look neat and attractive while also reaching out to help those around her. Her husband has earned respect in the community because of her and she is called blessed!

BUT as all this sounds so overwhelming, let us remember that this was the ENTIRETY of her life, not a single day. She worked and learned how to be good and useful… and at the end of her life, these virtues were accomplished.

Let us continue to fear the Lord and strive for goodness in our everyday, no matter our season of life.