It is no coincidence that Proverbs 31 ends the way it does. The book begins in large part with words from “Lady Wisdom” calling out to any who will listen, and now it ends with a father imparting wisdom to his son about a woman who fears the Lord.
Here is the truth: We need to “Wise Up” in a world that can be extremely foolish. But more importantly, we need God to help us do it, which is ultimately how we become wise followers of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us, which we are reminded of in John 14:25-27:
These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
As we have seen throughout our “Wise Up” series, the Bible has something to say to all of us. It has something for all of us. As we see in Proverbs 31, “Lady Wisdom” represents the profound nature of a person—a woman—who surpasses nearly all of our expectations for what is beautiful and true of someone who understands the world, and adheres to something far greater than just wisdom as its guide. And in the final three verses, we can begin to see this come to focus.
‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (Pr. 31:29-31)
We see a similar concept near the beginning of Proverbs …
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pr. 1:5-7)
In both cases, it begins and ends with the “fear of the LORD.” What happens in between is up to us to seek out and apply as “Lady Wisdom” makes plain at every turn of the page in Proverbs. When “Lady Wisdom” calls, the question she poses to us never changes: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge (Pr. 1:22)?”
So as we look back on our series, be encouraged. You can indeed live wisely in a foolish world. We all can. God speaks to all of us through His Word, and on top of the wisdom He provides for every circumstance, through Christ and the salvation He offers, our fate can also be secure, because “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).”
Therefore, whether we want to transform our family life, our perspective on life and our emotions, our money, or even how we view our brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s Word is there. And He wants us all to press into Him regularly and see what He has to say about all of it. You just need to make sure you are willing to accept what He says.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER IN RESPONSE TO PROVERBS
- What can we learn about God from Proverbs?
- What can we learn about ourselves, and who we are as humans, from Proverbs?
- What’s your favorite Proverb?
- What area in your life do you most need help right now? And what does the Bible’s wisdom have to says about it?
- Who in your life can you point to Proverbs to help with their situation? And what do they need you to share with them about Jesus Christ?
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‘WISE UP’ SERIES IN REVIEW
August 7, 2022 –“The Wisdom in Mentorship” (Proverbs 3:5-6; 9:9; 12:11; 12:24; 13:20: 27:17)
July 31, 2022 – “The Wisdom of Belief” (Proverbs 4:1-23)
July 24, 2022 – “When Wisdom Calls and You Refuse to Answer” (Proverbs 1:20-29; 2:1-8; 5:11-14; 7; 8:13; 13:10; 16:18; 18:1)
July 17, 2022 – “Wisdom for the Man, Wisdom for the Woman” (Proverbs 1:2; 3:31-32; 4:23; 5:3-8; 6:25-33; 7; 8:33-36; 11:22; 12:10; 12:22; 19:19; 25:17; 31:10-31)
July 10, 2022 – “A Family DIY Project” (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 11:29; 14:1, 14:26; 15:27)
July 3, 2022 – “The Search for Wisdom” (Proverbs 1:10; 3:5-6; 10:17; 14:12; 15:22; 16:31-32; 18:2
June 26, 2022 – “A Biblical Response to Anger” (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 13:13; 14:29-30)
June 19, 2022 – “Becoming Money Wise” (Proverbs 3:9-10; 15:22, 31; 17:18; 21:13, 20; 22:9, 26-27; 23:6-7; 28:19)
June 12, 2022 – “Living Wisely in a Foolish World” (Proverbs 5:22; 6:6-11; 13:13; 14:31; 20:10; 21:6; 22:16)