And it all ends with a good woman…
So here we are, reaching the end of our journey through the Book of Proverbs. It’s the last day of April and the last two chapters of Proverbs – almost perfect timing! These chapters are a little different from the rest. These proverbs are not written by Solomon, son of David, but by Agur Ben Yakeh, another of the wise men of Judah, and Lemuel, said to be a king but no mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. And then the book ends with a poem. A poem about the treasure of a wise wife.
Agur starts by giving us a choice. Every person who has ever lived has been faced with the same choice. To deny or believe in God.
We can choose to say there is no God. We can choose to do everything our own way, to do anything we want.We can question the existence of God. We can demand proof.
Or we can choose to believe. Believe in a God we can trust to keep His promises. Believe in a God who knows best. A God we can turn to for help. A God who answers and protects.
And this is Agur’s prayer –
God, I’m asking for two things
before I die; don’t refuse me—
Banish lies from my lips
and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on,
neither too much nor too little.
If I’m too full, I might get independent,
saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’
If I’m poor, I might steal
and dishonour the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9
A wise prayer. A prayer for just enough. A prayer for contentment. A prayer we would do well to adopt.
Then he shares some proverbs of his own. I particularly like this one –
A leech has twin daughters
named “Gimme” and “Gimme more.” Proverbs 30:15
I’m guessing someone has sprung to mind for you as they have for me!
This raised a smile too –
Three things amaze me,
no, four things I’ll never understand—
how an eagle flies so high in the sky,
how a snake glides over a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
why adolescents act the way they do. Proverbs 30:18-19
I’m guessing someone has sprung to mind for you as they have for me!
And this too. I think this guy knows my family! –
If you’re dumb enough to call attention to yourself
by offending people and making rude gestures,
Don’t be surprised if someone bloodies your nose.
Churned milk turns into butter;
riled emotions turn into fist fights. Proverbs 30:32-33
I’m guessing someone has sprung to mind for you as they have for me!
Moving on to Lemuel. He gets his advice from his mother. Good man. This mother so like every mother I know –
What are you playing at, son? Mixing with those kind of girls. No good can come of such relationships, you know. They’re no good for you. They’re going to bring you down. And as for the drink! You know what you’re like when you’ve had too much. You’re going to end up making poor decisions and people are going to get hurt. You need to be always able to speak up for those who have no voice. Come on son, speak out for justice! My paraphrase of Proverbs 31:2-9
And now we meet the good wife. Here is the whole poem for you to read. I’m sure some parts with affirm you and others challenge you. Remember this was written over two thousand years ago in a different context and yet has so much relevance and truth contained in it for today.
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises! Proverbs 31:10-31
A good woman is hard to find.
A good woman is to be treasured.
A good woman is to be trusted.
She’s kind.
She’s organised.
She’s hard-working.
This is the woman to admire.
This is the woman to aspire to be.
This is the woman who faces tomorrow with a smile.
Because she’s creating a life worth living – for herself and for her family.
Because she is embracing her creativity.
Because she is being all that she was created to be.
