Weekly Blog
A Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:10-31)
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
I. Her Virtuous Heart. “Virtue is something that is developed on the inside. It is built and instilled into an individual. Virtue is not confined just to actions but includes the motivation for such action. That’s why the price is so high. Far above rubies. A virtuous woman is a rare creature and becoming more and more rare. Yet her rarity makes her that much easier to spot. Virtue means to be of good, strong morality. (v. 11)
A. Her Dedication. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” The virtuous woman has an unflagging devotion in her heart to her husband and his heart. She is a support and strength for him. He can confide in her. He can lean on her. She does not try to take away from his role as head of the family. She is an extension and magnifier of it. A godly wife will uphold the godly name of a godly husband. Notice verse twenty-three. “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” His wife is a benefit to his reputation. (v. 11)
1. Her Conduct. “So that he shall have no need of spoil.” The virtuous woman is an excellent steward of the house. Her husband is not tempted to do something illegal or unseemly in his business because of financial pressure caused by her wasteful ways. She has no wasteful ways. She is honest and productive in the management of his house and his assets. (v. 12)
2. Her Comfort. “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” This is not her own comfort but the comfort that she gives to her husband. Because he knows that her conduct is impeccable, his soul is able to rest. He finds comfort in trusting her and knowing that she can be trusted. His possessions and his children are safely guarded under her watchful eye. (v. 12)
B. Her Delight. Now go all the way down to verse twenty-nine. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” The delight of a virtuous woman is to do good. She lives for it. She rises above below average. She rises above average. She endeavors to rise above even above average. She sees no limit to her spiritual growth. She sees no limit and no end to what she can do for others. The virtuous woman does not believe she has “arrived.” She knows that there is still yet more to do, yet more to achieve, and so she continues to try. Her personal goal is Excelsior, Excelsior. Higher, Higher. (v. 31)
1. Her Character. Come back up to verse twenty-five. “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” She is richly clothed but not with the high fashion labels. She is rich and strong in her character. She is a woman of truth. She is a woman of meekness. She is a woman of compassion and understanding. She is esteemed in high honor because she is highly honorable. Her good character makes her far more appealing than any fancy clothes she could wear. (v. 25)
2. Her Conversation. We find this in verse twenty-six. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” When she speaks, it is with the appropriate words. When she speaks, it is at the appropriate time. When she speaks, it is with the appropriate tone. She is not argumentative and demanding with her mouth, but careful, decent, and kind. (v. 26)
II. Her Valuable Hands. Verse sixteen is one of several verses that speak of this woman’s hands. “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” The hands of the virtuous woman produce something. Something needful and worthwhile comes of what she does with her hands. She knows how to spend her time wisely. She knows how to use her time and her hands effectively. Her price is far above rubies and the fruit of her hands only adds to her value. When she applies herself to something, it can be assured the it is useful and beneficial to the needs of her family. (v. 16)
A. Her Labor. Turn your attention to verse thirty-one. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” The virtuous woman does not need to draw attention to herself. We live in a day where everyone feels they need a cookie and a pat on the back for everything. They take pictures of every single routine thing that they do, put it on the internet, and expect a trophy. The virtuous woman is content to let her diligence and labor speak for her. The gates were where the great men sat. It was where the news of the town was discussed. The virtuous woman is willing to be known by her tireless efforts. (v. 31)
1. Her Skill. Verse nineteen says, “She layeth up her hands to the spindle, and her hands to the distaff.” The virtuous woman is diligent at her trade. Whether she works outside of the home or tending just to the home, she is diligent about her business. She hones her skill. She is diligent to become good at what she does. It is important to her. It is important to the function of her family. (v. 19)
2. Her Strength. In verse seventeen, we find that “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” She has need of strength. She has much to do. She has a strong arm with which she carries out her labors. She has a strong arm that supports her husband and comforts her children. She has an inner strength that is expressed by her outer strength. (v. 17)
B. Her Love. Verse fifteen says, “She riseth also while it is night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” It is worthwhile to the virtuous woman to rise early. There are those that depend upon her. With great love and tenderness of spirit, she cares for her own. Even those who are there as hired employees are not exempt from her love. As the Lord Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washed the feet of His disciples, she becomes a servant to those who serve her.(v. 15)
1. Her Stamina. Look `at verse five now. “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” This virtuous woman knows that her labor is of high value. She does it well, and it is well worth it. Therefore, she continues with it. Her own rest is less important to her than the carrying out of her role as wife and mother. She takes it as seriously as any other part of her life. (v. 18)
2. Her Sincerity. Verse twenty says that, “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Her kindness and generosity extends further than just to her own family. A virtuous woman is filled with a compassion for others. She has trained herself to it by caring for her family. She has created for herself a habit of compassion. (v. 20)
III. Her Vibrant Household. Go to verse twenty-seven. “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” The greatest testament of the virtuous woman is the condition of her household. Her family is well cared for and well presented. She sees to it with all of her effort. What comes to her mouth is well earned. Her household is made presentable by the labors of her hands. She is the support and strength of her family. They rely upon her. Her house functions because of her. Her presence is necessary because she sees to all of the ways of her household. She is the overseer and the director of the house. (v. 27)
A. Her Provision. “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” The virtuous woman attends to the needs of her family with diligence. She makes her house a place of safety, shelter, and comfort. There is no reason to be concerned with the winter months. The house will be warm. Mother makes the house a home. The family is well provided for in mother’s care.” (v. 13)
1. Her Nourishment. Now look at verse fourteen. “She is like the merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” She will go to whatever lengths necessary to feed her family. Mother makes certain that none in her house goes hungry. The virtuous woman always seems to be the last to eat. Her children’s stomach and that of her husband come before her own. She is not virtuous because she does this. She does this because she is virtuous. It is her heart’s desire to put her family first. (v. 14)
2. Her Necessities. Verse twenty-one says, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” She prepares not just the food for the table but also tends to the other needs of her family. A mother sees that the homework is done and the baths are taken. She soothes the wounds and calms fears. She sees to it that none are neglected but happy and well kept. (v. 21)
B. Her Preciousness. A virtuous woman is precious in the sight of God and in the eyes of her family. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” A virtuous woman need not be wrapped up in the world’s standards of beauty. Physical beauty is temporal. It fades like the flower. Outward beauty may disguise something hideous on the inside. Inward beauty may be disguised by plain features. Isaiah said that to look at the Lord Jesus in His physical form was to not see His true beauty. “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Yet to see Jesus as Lord and Savior is to see that He is altogether lovely.
1. Her Heritage. Look lastly at verse twenty-eight. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” A mother should be adorned with respect and love by her children simply because she is their mother. Yet so much greater that love and honor is for a mother that is virtuous. A virtuous mother is greatly loved by her children because of the great love she bestows upon her children. (v. 28)
2. Her Husband. “Her Husband also, and he praiseth her.” A good and godly husband will find good things to say about his wife. Yet the husband of a godly, virtuous woman has a bounty of good things to choose from when he praises his wife. He has no choice but to praise her because of her dedication and delight, her love and labor, her provision and preciousness. (v. 28)
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It Feels Like Elementary School All Over Again…
I’ve never liked being in front of people. It has always made me terribly nervous. I’ve always been afraid that I’ll forget what I wanted to say and say something completely different. Often, I do! I can remember back to my days in elementary school in California. Every October, we held what was called American Heritage Day. Each child had to choose and dress up as a character from American history. The fourth through the sixth grades had to write and recite a speech about their particular character. The students in the class who gave the best speeches were chosen to compete in front of the whole school. I didn’t mind the dressing up part. That was fun. I wasn’t worried about giving my speech in front of the entire school. I knew I would never be chosen. What I dreaded was standing in front of my class to give my speech. I was petrified!
You weren’t allowed to have your speech in front of you for your final grade. Everything had to be said from memory. The teacher wanted expression in your voice and on your face. It was so hard for me to do! If I did one or both of those, then I couldn’t remember the speech!
Only a couple of things got me through the speech each year. One was knowing that I had to do it. There was no way of getting out of it. For some reason, Mom and Dad always backed the teacher instead of me. The other was knowing that Mom and Dad were pleased that I had done it. They weren’t particularly concerned with my acting skills. They were more concerned that I learned to obey them and the teacher with the right attitude. I did not want to recite that speech. Not because I didn’t want to do a good job, but because I thought I couldn’t.
Sometimes we are so afraid to witness to the lost around us. We’re afraid we won’t do a good job giving the speech. We’re afraid that we might say the wrong thing, and they won’t like us. Sometimes it doesn’t go as perfectly as we planned it in our heads. Sometimes, maybe we do say the wrong thing. But witnessing is not the same as giving a speech about someone in history that we have never met. Witnessing is telling someone of the Savior who has changed our lives so completely.
We can be a witness in the power of the Holy Spirit. We can take the truth of the Gospel and introduce people to the Christ that can save them. The Gospel isn’t a speech. It’s a Person. Some Christians say, “I know all of that, but I’m still so nervous. I’m not a good speaker.” Well, Moses tried that. God didn’t let him out of it either.
You can be a witness. You can tell others how Christ forgave your sin and saved you from hell. The Lord even said He would go with you in Matthew 28:18-20. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Why not start this week, by carrying some Gospel tracts and simply saying, “Excuse me, I’d like for you to have this.” It’s as simple as that. Please the Lord with soul-winning.
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The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Once again, the enemies of the Lord Jesus were trying to find a way to trap Him in His words. This time they sent a lawyer. This would not necessarily be a lawyer in the sense that we think of today. He would have been very versed in the things of the Mosaic Law. He would likely be a teacher, and highly regarded in Jewish society. He tried to tempt the Lord Jesus with a doctrinal question. “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus did what He often did in this situation. He countered with another question. “What is written in the law? How readest thou?” The lawyer gave a pretty good answer. He said to love God with all the heart, soul, and mind. He also said to love your neighbor as yourself. The lawyer’s answer was basically to not sin! Jesus told the lawyer he was right. Then he told him to do it, but he’d have to do it without fail. Jesus’ point was that no could do that but Jesus Himself. Yet the lawyer was willing to think that he could get the job done. The lawyer asked a qualifying question. “Who is my neighbor?” The Jews hated all non-Jews. The lawyer wanted to know just who exactly he had to love. He wasn’t going to like the answer Jesus gave him. Let’s look at the story. First, we must see…
I. The Sinner. The certain man that Jesus speaks of in verse thirty represents the sinner. He represents every man. He represents the lost and needy people that surround us every day. The man in the story is about to make some horrible decisions just as every sinner has made horrible decisions. He is about to end up in a disastrous, dangerous, life-threatening situation. That is the same situation that every sinner is in before coming to Christ. Let’s look at some details about the man and the sinner.
A. His Path. Let’s take a look at verse thirty. “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” That’s the path of every sinner. It is the path of all mankind. Jerusalem was the holy city, the city of God. Jericho was the cursed city. After Joshua burned Jericho to the ground, he said, “Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city of Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.” The path of the man represents the path of a sinner. Man left the presence of God and entered into the sin curse. The path that all men take every day is one away from God and toward sin.
B. His Problem. Verse thirty next says that he fell among thieves. What else can be expected when your path leads you away from the Lord? The path to Jericho was a very dangerous one. There were thieves and bandits all along the way. They took his money and his clothes. We do not know if this was a wealthy man, a poor man, or middle class. The problems of sin do not discriminate. Sin will destroy and take no matter whom enters into it. It brings all to ruin no matter the social class. Anyone who went down that Jericho road could expect the same treatment. Anyone who goes down the road of sin can expect the same treatment as well. Be prepared to lose, and be prepared to lose everything.
C. His Prognosis. The prognosis was not good. In fact, it was as bad as it could be. Those thieves robbed our traveler, wounded him, and left him lying there half dead. Half dead is the key of the prognosis. He was all alone. He had no friends to help him. There was no way that he could help himself. He was half dead and on the way to completely dead. It’s even worse for the lost man. He’s completely dead and doesn’t even know it. He certainly has no way to help himself. Just as the victim on the road to Jericho, he is in need of outside assistance. Every lost person is in need of outside assistance. They need the saving power of Jesus Christ, and they need the helping hand of a believer that remembers when they were dead too.
II. The Scoffers. As if the thieves weren’t bad enough, there were onlookers too. Have you ever been on the interstate, and traffic suddenly slows down? Then traffic crawls for the next two hours until you are ready to take your own life? When you finally get up to the cause of the slowdown, you find that it was a small accident sitting on the shoulder of the road. It wasn’t even on your side of the interstate! The reason why traffic was so slow was that everyone on your side slowed down to look! They didn’t slow down to help! They slowed down to watch! That’s very similar to what the next two figures in our passage did. Sometimes, though, it is what we do. We see someone that needs Christ, but we don’t do anything about it. We turn and look, but we don’t do anything to help. Christ doesn’t need more watchers. He needs more workers!
A. The Priest. Look at verse thirty-one. “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” You would think that if any person would have the heart to help, it would be the priest. That was not the case, however. The poor victim was lying there helpless. The priest likely would not even check the man for life signs because he already thought he was dead. The priest had no desire to be defiled by a dead body. I think that we are often guilty of the same thing. We see a lost person, but we are too afraid of being “contaminated.” You know what though? It’s just how it works. If you are going to help anybody, then you are going to have to make contact! You can’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty! The priest represents the rituals of religion. Religion looks for how it can benefit from people, not how it can be of benefit to people. It cannot save anybody. It cannot heal the deep wounds of sin!
B. The Professor. The Levite comes along next. “And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” The Levites were servants of the temple. They were a set aside tribe of Israel. The Levite represents legalism. Legalism looks on the soul in that desperate condition and feels that there is no hope. Someone so far down in the depths of obvious sin cannot fulfill all of the precepts of the law. Therefore, they are a lost cause. How often are we guilty of looking on someone who needs Christ, and then thinking that they are too far gone? In our minds, they could never have a normal Christian life. We disqualify people from getting the gospel, because we think they’ll never get saved. Yet Jesus once cast out a legion of demons out of a man, and all that man wanted to do afterward is follow his Lord. Leave the saving to God. Let us only stop on our journey to help rescue the dying.
C. The Probability. It’s interesting that verse thirty-one says of the priest that by chance he came that way. Verse thirty-two says that the Levite came likewise. It was happenstance that these two came by the dying man. Yet it says of that certain Samaritan that as he journeyed, he came where he was. It seems that the Samaritan regularly made that journey. It was something he usually did. His eyes knew that familiar road. He knew the dangers of it and how to avoid the thieves and the pitfalls. Perhaps it wasn’t the first time that he’d seen this happen or the first time he had helped a wounded traveler. The Lord Jesus has come to seek and to save that which was lost. It is no happenstance that Jesus passed by your way. It is no slim chance. The probability is high that Jesus passed by looking for you. “Jesus passed my way. And He made me whole that day. Just a sinner was I, but then Jesus passed by. And, oh, what a change in my life, since Jesus passed by.”
III. The Savior. Verse thirty-three says, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.” The Samaritan was hated by the Jew. They were half-breeds to the Jew. They thought them no better than dogs. Jesus is about to hold up a Samaritan as an example to be followed. The lawyer shows us his attitude when he answers the question Christ asks in verses thirty-six and thirty-seven. “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.” The lawyer wouldn’t even say the word “Samaritan.” The Lord Jesus was also despised and rejected by the Jews and by the world. Yet this Jesus they hated was the One that came to bring them salvation. While they trusted in their religion and hoped in their law, only Jesus could truly take action to heal their sin-sick souls.
A. His Servitude. Verse thirty-three says that he saw him and had compassion on him. That was the stark contrast between the Samaritan and the other two men who passed that way. The other two travelers came where he was. They even saw him, yet they either would do or could do nothing. The Samaritan went the further step. In verse thirty-four, he went to him and bound up his wounds. Ritual and religion cannot help the dying man. Legalism cannot help him. Only the ministry of the Lord Jesus and His gospel can save a sin-sick soul. Christ offers His servitude to all mankind. It was Christ’s ministrations that rescued you from the sin condition. You who were dead in your trespasses and sins were made alive unto God by Jesus Christ His Son.
B. His Supply. Verse thirty-four says that he poured in oil and wine. These items were used medicinally in those days to clean out and protect wounds. The Samaritan, as an experienced traveler, likely carried them with him for emergency situations. He was properly and abundantly prepared to treat this broken, half-dead man. In the same way, the Lord Jesus, the great Savior, has abundant supply to care for the sin wounds of the lost. The wine represents the blood of Christ. The precious blood of Jesus Christ flowed from His hands, His feet, and His side. It washes completely clean the sinner’s stains. The oil represents His Holy Spirit. He applies His Holy Spirit and seals the redeemed sinner unto the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit is our protection. It is proof-positive that we have been treated. His blood and His Spirit are in enough and far more than enough supply to cleanse and make you whole.
C. His Sanctuary. Verse thirty-five says that he took him to an inn, and took care of him. Out in the middle of nowhere, along a dangerous road, there was a sanctuary available for the Samaritan to bring the rescued man. It seems only logical that the Samaritan was familiar with this inn. He knew where it was. He knew the keeper of the inn. He knew that it was safe to leave the wounded man there. “And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” The church is that inn along the dangerous, desolate road. Christ rescues the sinner, then places him under the care of the church to disciple him and help him grow. We have all been charged to take care of sinner that has been saved!
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