This article has Proverbs 29-31 in the NKJV (throughout unless otherwise noted) and commentary.
We have put together ten sermons on the Book of Proverbs.
Here is a link to the tenth: .
Would you like to be wiser?
Do you want to be a better person?
There are things we are going to go over in the Book of Proverbs to help you do just that.
The Book of Proverbs has wise advice. Here is how the 29th chapter starts:
1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
The Bible, in general, and Book of Proverbs in particular, says that it is a good idea to change when you are rebuked for something you should not do.
Instead, many are too defensive.
That also happens when it comes to repentance, The word of God is clear people need to change, but most will not do that, despite how it will end up.
Notice Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Now, let me tell you a story.
I once read a book about building my vocabulary. Basically, all I remember is that it said, if you do not know what a word means look it up.
What does that have to do with Proverbs 29:1?
Well, instead of just thinking well I do not know that word, because I have a limited vocabulary, I take not knowing the meaning of a word as a rebuke and look words up. And, nowadays, instead of using a dictionary, I use Google or something like it.
Now back to Proverbs 29:
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.
The Bible often warns against flattery.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
Lies often lead to more lies.
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
Many who claim to be Christian have rationalized away the idea of helping the poor--that is not Philadelphian.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.
People who listen to scoffers will suffer. The Philadelphians are the ones who listen and hence are the only ones that Jesus promises protection:
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-11)
Back to Proverbs 29:
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man ,Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.
11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
The Bible is clear that people need correction.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.
Parents are also to correct:
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Notice the following that God's people need to realize:
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV)
Not paying attention to prophetic revelation is dangerous and leads to wrong behavior--including Laodiceanism, which Jesus condemns (Revelation 3:14-21). Christians should keep the law, including the Ten Commandments (see our free online book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast).
Continuing:
19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.
We are to respond like God's children and accept correction. The New Testament agrees:
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. (Hebrews 12:7-17)
Accept correction when you get. Do not delay to take action.
Back to Proverbs 29:
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
We are to be helpful with our words.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood Will have him as a son in the end.
The above is basically teaching to be nicer than you may think you need to be.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Some are proud of their anger. But anger can lead to sin. Sometimes it is better to simply 'take it' and be wronged.
24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.
Do not trust a thief. And, of course, do not be a thief or a liar.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
What kind of snare?
Well, false traditions for one example. More on tradition can be found in the article: Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings.
Consider how many people who claim Christianity would be keeping pagan holidays if it was not for the fear of violating human/family traditions?
Shouldn't you trust in God?
More on holidays can be found in the free online booklet: Should You Keep God's Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?
26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Those who despise the Bible and real Christianity basically hate us. They consider us an abomination that many want gone.
Chapter 29 seems to end the proverbs from King Solomon.
Now to chapter 30:
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel — to Ithiel and Ucal:
Some Jewish commentators have suggested the Agur is actually Solomon, but many commentators believe him to be an otherwise unknown sage.
Notice what Gill's Commentary states:
Who this Agur was is a matter of doubt; some of the Jewish writers, as Jarchi and Gersom, and likewise some Christian writers (f), take him to be Solomon himself, who calls himself Agur, which is said to signify "a gatherer"; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the words of the gatherer, the son of the vomiter"; just as he calls himself Koheleth, or "the caller", or "preacher", Ecclesiastes 1:1. The reason given of this name is, because he gathered wisdom and the law (g); or, as Jarchi, he gathered wisdom, and vomited it; that is, delivered it out to others; so he did, he sought after and attained to more wisdom than any before him, for he was wiser than all men; and it may be added, that he "gathered" silver and gold, and the treasure of kings, and increased in riches more than any before him, Ecclesiastes 1:13.
But then all this does not agree with the person whose words these are; for he speaks of himself as being very ignorant, and as not having learned wisdom, Proverbs 30:2; and desires neither poverty nor riches, Proverbs 30:8; besides, the word "Agur" signifies not "a gatherer", but "gathered", as Hillerus (h) renders it; and so Cocceius, who thinks also that Solomon is meant, yet not for the above reasons, but translates the clause thus, "the words of the recollected son of the obedient"; as if it described Solomon the son of David, the obedient one, the man after God's own heart, when he was restored by repentance; but it seems better, with Aben Ezra, to understand this of some very good, knowing, and worthy man, who lived in those times, either before the times of Solomon, or in the same, whose pithy sayings and sentences he had a great regard for, and joined them to his own; or who lived in the times of Hezekiah, or before, whose proverbs were collected by his men, and added to those of Solomon's they had copied in the preceding chapters;
Getting back to names, Ithiel means "God has arrived" (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.) or "God with me" (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
Agur continues:
2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, And do not have the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
Thus, this is not Solomon.
Now, consider that Agur is saying he is not that smart or educated. Yet, God had him write down proverbs.
You may feel that way about yourself, but notice the following prophecy:
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. (Daniel 11:33)
God will use those who have understanding to INSTRUCT MANY. Remember, the orginal apostles were not educated or considered smart by the educated of their day:
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
God can use you if you have understanding and a willing heart.
Anyway, back to Agur's words:
4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, If you know?
Agur is saying that he and the people of the world, simply do not have the understanding and abilities that perhaps they hope for.
The son reference is possibly to Jesus as He said He was the only one who ascended into heaven (John 3:13). But Jews tend to point to Exodus 4:22 which says Israel is God's son--Jesus did not actually become God's 'Son' until He was physically conceived and later born--but since Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world, this passage may be referring to Him.
Continuing, Agur says where to get pure information:
5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
That is part of why we in the CCOG quote the Bible a lot.
Continuing:
6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
That statement is one of the reasons we are careful in the CCOG. But that does NOT mean that we should not explain part of the word of God.
Philip, for example, did that with the eunuch (Acts 8:31-35).
Aquila and Priscilla needed to take Apollos aside and explain the way of God more accurately to him. (Acts 18:26).
But what is to be done is to be consistent with scripture, not an addition, per se, to it.
Agur then essentially prays:
7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;Give me neither poverty nor riches — Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Agur had the wisdom to realize that he could be deceived by lies and falsehoods. He also had the wisdom to realize that he and others often cannot handle wealth. He also realized that he was a bit carnal and may not handle poverty well.
His comment about food reminds me of Jesus' teaching on prayer:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:9-11)
Jesus did not say to pray for massive wealth. But for what you need each day.
Notice further what Jesus taught:
31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34)
Sometimes we simply need to pray we will be granted the strength to get through a trial for the next few minutes, hours, or day.
Consider also the following:
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Pray, trust God, and get through the day.
Now back to more of what Agur taught:
10 Do not malign a servant to his master, Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.
So, be careful what you say--even if it is true.
11 There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. 12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. 13 There is a generation -- oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.
This reminded me of what the Apostle Paul told Timothy about the generation in the last days:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
Continuing in Proverbs 30:
15 The leech has two daughters — Give and Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, Four never say, "Enough!": 16 The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water — And the fire never says, "Enough!"
There are some that are never satisfied. There are many that are unthankful. There are some who will take and take and take. And never be thankful.
17 The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
There is danger in dishonoring parents.
On the other hand, the Bible tells of life extension for those that honor their parents:
16 'Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5:16)
The New Testament expands on this a little bt:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Continuing with Proverbs 30:
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.
An infatuated male will do many things.
Agur wrote:
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wickedness."
It is not just adulterous women that are like that. Nowadays who regularly engage in sexually immorality are amoral meaning that they do not seem to recognized that they are sinning.
Of course, adultery is wicked and causes great harm. Harm to the participants and harm to one or both of the families of the participants.
21 For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22 For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23 A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.
Some people cannot lead or reign. Some should not marry.
As Christians, however, we are learning to reign and to love in this age, so we can do so later with Jesus:
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)
Priest teach the law.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:2-3)
18 .. the law shall not perish from the priest (Jeremiah 18:18)
So, we need to learn it now. And we can learn many applications of the law of love by learning from the Book of Proverbs.
24 There are four things which are little on the earth,But they are exceedingly wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk,Yet they make their homes in the crags; 27 The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; 28 The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings' palaces.
So, be careful that you do not think small things are insignficant.
Consider this prophecy:
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says the Lord of hosts.
7 'Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 "The hands of Zerubbabel
Have laid the foundation of this temple;
His hands shall also finish it.
Then you will know
That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:6-10)
I believe that this applies to what we have been doing in the CCOG.
We had a small beginning. Yet, we have been the fastest growing COG in the 21st century. And we have the least money of any of the top ten US-headquartered COGs.
Some despise us. Yet, we realize that the work will get done with our cooperation with God's Spirit. We need to be humble and trust God.
Continuing with Proverbs 30:
29 There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: 30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts And does not turn away from any; 31 A greyhound, A male goat also, And a king whose troops are with him.
All the above are basically trusting in the physical. It is not that they cannot be stately, but they all have certain physical attributes that they believe protect them.
We need to trust God for our protection.
32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Christians need to be careful about pride as well as what they say.
And that leads to the last verse of the 30th chapter:
33 For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.
That is consistent with another set of proverbs:
1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 15:1-4)
Notice something Jesus said:
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
We are to strive to be perfect.
Now to the 31st and final chapter of Proverbs:
1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
The Pulpit Commentary states:
The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him. Who is intended by "Lemuel king" is much disputed. Those who connect the following word massa ("oracle") with the preceding melek ("king"), translate "King of Massa," as Proverbs 30:1 (where see note). Of the country, or the king, or his mother, we have absolutely no information. The name Lemuel, or Lemoel (ver. 4), means "unto God," i.e. dedicated to God, like Lael (Numbers 3:24); hence it is regarded by many authorities, ancient and modern, as an appellation of Solomon, one from infancy dedicated to God and celled by him Jedidiah, "beloved of the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:25). But there is nothing in the contents of this section to confirm this idea; indeed, there are expressions which militate against it.
Anyway, I also do not believe that Solomon wrote this.
Regarding 1 Kings 4:32, the Pulpit Commentary states:
Verse 32. - And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. [Of the former, less than one-third are preserved in the Book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 25:1); the rest are lost to us. The Book of Ecclesiastes, even if the composition of Solomon, can hardly be described as proverbs. Of his songs all have perished, except the Song of Solomon, and possibly Psalm 72, 127. (see the titles), and, according to some, 128.
Solomon wrote many proverbs, and that is more than are in the Book of Proverbs.
So, let's go to more he apparently did not write:
2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
This is a warning against fornication, including prostitution. As well as lust and probably drunkeness.
Consider the next verses:
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
Continuing:
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Kings need to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. They need to judge rightly and plead the cause for poor and needy.
We strive to do that in the CCOG.
Since Christians are to be made "kings and priests" (Revelation 5:10), we should be trying to act as God wants kings to act now.
Now the next portion is perhaps the best know part of Proverbs 31.
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
If you are married, how safely can your husband truly trust you?
Continuing:
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
Back in ancient times, food tended to be fairly boring. The "virtuous wife" realized that took steps. Wives can still do that today.
Continuing:
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
People tended to go hungry often in ancient times, Particular in late winter/early spring. But those in the household of the "virtuous wife" did not. Notice also she must of been wealthy enough to have servants.
Continuing:
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Now, while married couples should discuss major financial purchases together, it appears that this wife had at least tacit permission to make land purchases on her own.
Notice the purchase was for something productive. And that she worked and made a profit.
The Bible is clearly not opposed to legitimate profit-making enterprises--by men or women.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
She is apparently in good shape. Probably from working, but also possibly from exercising.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
She sells good quality merchandise. Back then, probably farm products and clothing. The next relates to clothing:
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
Since those are not terms widely used by Westerners, her is another translation:
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. (New Living Translation)
It was a lot of work to clothes. Generally speaking, in those days, other than animal skins, they used wool (which had to be sheared off a sheep or goat) or linen or cotton (both of which have to be grown and seeds removed) which then needed to be spun into some type of yarn.
For cotton, the cotton gin helped clean the cotton by separating the fiber from the seeds, but that was not invented until the 19th century.
As far as linen goes, here is some information on how that is made after it is harvested:
First, the upper part of the flax bundles are drawn through coarse combs to remove seed in a process called rippling. After the seeds are removed, it is necessary to separate the long, silky inner fibers which constitute the end product from the straw and inner pitch. ...
Retting, in which the unwanted fibers are loosened and decomposed, can be achieved in several ways. The flax can be left out in the field, where the exposure to the elements, particularly the moisture in the air, can do the work. A pond or through can be used to achieve the same effect in much less time, but with a prodigious odor. The ideal way to ret flax is to expose it to constantly running water, such as a stream. The amount to time this step requires depends on the quality of the flax, the temperature and numerous other variables. ...
When the straw comes away easily from the few bent fibers, it is time to grass the flax. The bundles are untied and laid in a field for a few days until they are dried on one side, then turned so the other side can be dried. ...
Next, a series of steps free the linen fiber from the boon (unwanted plant material). The brake, a large wooden machine, is used to break down the trash material and loosen it further from the end product. Then the flax is scutched (beaten against a board with a blunt wooden knife). ...
The final process is hackling, in which the fiber is drawn through a series of metal combs to remove the last of the boon and shorter fibers. The end result is a strick, a half-pound bundle of long, light grey fibers which resemble human hair. https://wholesomelinen.com/blogs/news/105505734-8-step-process-of-turning-flax-plant-into-natural-fiber accessed 09/14/18
So that is a lot of work. Even if the process was a bit different in the time of the Book of Proverbs, it was still a lot of work.
Continuing in chapter 31:
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Notice that she is not selfish and gives to the poor and needy. We have women in the CCOG who have provided additional offerings to us so we can better help the poor and needy (we just recently sent funds for Bibles in the Chichewa language for people in Malawi and Mozambique because a couple of women did that).
Continuing:
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She is not only a planner, she is a doer. She knows that winter comes and she is prepared to have her family ready for it.
Continuing:
22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
The women above is not poor. But notice that she makes fine clothing for herself. That was a tremendous amount of work back then. She apparently worked while many were idle.
Continuing:
23 Her husband is known in the gates,When he sits among the elders of the land.
She apparently married someone who had the potential to be successful. She seemingly was selective about who to marry--but she also was the type of women who still intended to work and did. She did not marry and expect to not have to be productive.
Information on dating and getting married is in our free online book: Dating: A Key to Success in Marriage, a practical dating guide for Christians.
Continuing:
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
She is hard-working and industrious.
Continuing:
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
Notice that honor is her clothing. She leads a life of honor. Plus, she is prophesied to "rejoice in" the "time to come."
Continuing:
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She is wise.There is a right way and a wrong way to attain wisdom.
Learning from the Book of Proverbs is a biblically endorsed way that can help make one wise.
On the other hand, some try shortcuts. Eve was one such woman:
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)
But, unlike Eve, the Proverbs 31 woman attained wisdom God's way. Instead of being denounced as Eve was by God (cf. Genesis 3:16), the Proverbs 31 woman gains honor and the ability to rejoice in the time to come.
Continuing:
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
She is involved with the details of her family and she is not lazy.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also ...
Her children and husband realize this.
Furthermore, the husband commented:
28 ..., and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
Now notice what is written next:
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Modern society spends its focus praising charm and beauty. It is NOT into praising women who properly fear God.
But modern society will end.
God's praise endures forever:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever. (Psalms 111:10)
Now back to Proverbs 31:
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
So ends the Book of Proverbs.
So while the Book of Proverbs starts off discussing how a young man can gain wisdom, it ends by saying a wise and productive woman should benefit from her work and gain praise from it.
The old WCG wrote:
Proverbs 31 Updated. Proverbs 31 was written in poetic style and is not an actual account of a particular historical woman. It is the author's idealized vision of a "good wife." This Wonder Woman of the past was not the typical average Jewish wife and mother of her day. She was married to a man of means who had succeeded in politics on a local level (verse 23). While perhaps not an Eleanor Roosevelt, she was at least a wealthy upper-middle-class matron. She had at her command a bevy of "maidens " or servants (verse 15), and it is also implied that she had at her disposal field hands to help her plant vineyards (verse 16). She had enough money under her control to speculate in real estate (verse 16), to provide capital for her own small business (verse 13), to " reach out her hands to the needy" (verse 20), and to clothe her family in fine garments (verses: 21-22). She had been well educated and was able to absorb the wisdom and teaching of God's Scriptures (verses 26, 30). ...
What God really wants is for each of us -- men and women alike -- to develop all of our talents to the full in service to ourselves, our families, and the rest of mankind. This is one of the principles we can derive from the example in Proverbs 31 -- this woman was using her abilities to the full. How we try to emulate her example in the context of our own particular position in life is up to us. There is no pat answer or set formula that is right for everybody,
Proverbs 31 is an ode to a woman that might have been. Her era has long ago vanished — but the spirit of achievement and excellence she stood for should give every woman today the inspiration to achieve a similar success in her own life. (Ritter, Carole. The Proverbs 31 Superwoman - Ideal or Impossibility? Good News Magazine August 1976)
Anyway, man or woman, God does want us to develop and improve so we can be better as well as to better serve others.
This takes wisdom and instruction and a willingness to change.
That is a lot of what the Book of Proverbs is all about.
It has been said that there are only small differences between men, but those little differences make a big difference.
Apply what the Book of Proverbs teaches to your life. Wisdom and big differences are still possible.
If you have not already done so, you may want to take the next step and watch all the sermons on the Book of Proverbs.
PROVERBS Here are links to ten sermons covering the all the chapters of the Book of Proverbs: Proverbs 1-7: Practical advice for those who wish to follow God and Proverbs 7-12: Wisdom, Knowledge, Righteousness, and Diligence and Proverbs 13-15: Following God’s Advice and Proverbs 16-17: Accept God's Instructions and Proverbs 18-19: It is dangerous to trust self and Proverbs 20-21: Modern Christian Living and Proverbs 22-23: Certainty of the Bible and How to Live and Proverbs 24-25: What to do and what not to do and Proverbs 26-28: Giving Answers, Making Right Decisions (a related article is also available: Proverbs 26-28) and Proverbs 29-31: Are You Willing to Learn From God's Word?
Here is a link to the tenth sermon: Proverbs 29-31: Are You Willing to Learn From God's Word?
Thiel B. Proverbs 29-31. COGwriter (c) 2018 0915