Proverbs 31:10-31/ Praying for Men and Women from Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31:10-31/ Praying for Men and Women from Proverbs 31
Our passage today describes a hard-working, compassionate woman who is fearless and diligent because she fears the Lord. She is known as "the Proverbs 31 woman."
The passage was originally written for young men to know what kind of woman to look for as a wife. We know this because the poem is written in chiastic form, which means it is structured in a particular sequence, then repeated in reverse order. In chiastic form the line of the poem at the center is naturally emphasized by its position. Here is an example of what I mean assuming each letter represents a line in a poem:
A
B
C
X
C
B
A
"X" would by emphasized by position in this example of chiastic structure. The emphasized line at the center of Proverbs 31:10-31 is verse 23:
"Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land."
Every other verse is about the woman, but this verse describes the man. Here is the message for men from this structure: a woman like this is to be desired if you want to live an honorable life.
Unfortunately, modern men do not desire this type of woman and modern women do not desire to be this type of woman. Men and women in our culture are deeply confused about what is desirable in a spouse or potential spouse. Often times Instagram, Tik Tok, movies, and "influencers" on YouTube are setting the standards for what should be desired in a spouse rather than the Word of God. Many men and women settle for someone they are physically attracted to and have a lot in common with while neglecting the Godly attributes found in scripture. This has had devastating effects on the family unit in our country evidenced by a divorce rate of nearly 50 percent.
We need Jesus to redeem what we desire in a spouse or potential spouse. As you read through this passage pray:
· Praise Jesus for the example of the Proverbs 31 woman.
· Ask Jesus to help single men supernaturally desire a spouse like the Proverbs 31 woman.
· Ask Jesus to help married men desire, encourage, and celebrate wives that are like the Proverbs 31 woman.
· Ask Jesus to help single and married women aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman.
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
If you want to dig deeper into this, need help, need prayer, or have questions—please reach out to us here: Roots Help & Prayer Form
Prayerfully,
Pastor Kevin