Proverbs 31: Week 12 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week 12 of our Proverbs 31 journey! This week is about interpreting and applying praise. If you'd like to go back to one of our previous stops, let our "Wolfe Notes" guide you. 

• In January we examined our value with the help of Proverbs 31 verses 10 and 29.
• In February we learned what uplifting means by looking at Proverbs 31:11 and 23.
• In March, we will consider the virtue of respect by studying Proverbs 31:12 and 28.

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your March calendar with daily activities, the lamp for your feet (the Bible), and let's get going! We're journeying through the concluding poem of Proverbs and we're so glad you decided to walk along this road with us! Imagine that as we walk, we're talking about the daily activities. Our side of the discussion is outlined below. What would you add? How would you challenge us? (Ideas that are our thoughts alone are designated with an *.)

Contents:

About Praise from various sources.
Other Versions of Proverbs 31:28 and writing our own.
Commentaries of Proverbs 31:28.

*Look at Roles from a Proverbs 31:28 perspective.
*As Christ's Bride how Proverbs 31:28 applies.
*Godly Wisdom What Proverbs 31:28 teaches us about God.
Application in the past, present and hope for the future.

About Praise

From various sources.

• Hebrew Meaning from Bible Hub
• halal: shine, be boastful, shout (cry aloud) in joy & terror - especially in worship
• In Proverbs 31:28, to praise a man or woman
• Definition from Merriam-Webster
• express a favorable judgement of, commend
• to express praise
• Article: "8 Hebrew Words for 'Praise' Every Christian Needs to Know" by Dr. Roger Barrier
1. Hallah: boast, brag, or rave to the point of foolishness
2. Yadah: worship with extended hands
• Often translated as "giving thanks".
• Sometimes a desperate cry for help when victory is needed.
• Sign of surrender
• Explosive and meaningful expression of praise.
3. Barak: Denotes blessing; including the privilege of blessing God
4. Tehillah: To sing or laud
• There are over 300 mandates in the Bible to sing.
• This word suggests God is our song (Like the lyric in King of My Heart, "Oh He is my song".)
5. Zamar: To pluck the strings of an instrument
1. Rejoicing through joyful expression of music
2. Using every available instrument to make music and harmony before God.
3. Use when God has done something great for you to show your joy.
6. Todah: To shout or address loudly with an attitude of gratitude toward God's promised deliverance even when we are still in need.
• Lifting hands to invite God's help
• Faith and assurance that it is well even before victory comes.
7. Shabach: To shout or address with a loud tone. 
1. Seen in Daniel 4:37: Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
8. Hallelujah: Comprised of two separate words that combined mean to boast or brag about God with extreme exultation.
1. Hallel: boast, or brag; make a show
2. Jah: God
• Other Verses:
• Hebrews 13:15(KJV): By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
• Psalm 71:8 (KJV): Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
• Isaiah 43:21 (NOG): I have formed these people for myself. They will praise me.
• James 5:13 (KJV): Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
• Ephesians 5:19 (KJV): Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
• *Conclusions:
• Praise = shine. Is this not what we are called to do, to shine a light on God?
• God, really is worthy of all this praise, yet I wonder, do I praise Him enough?
• Praise is important to:
• God, for we were made to praise (Isaiah 43:21), 
• Ourselves, as it lifts our spirit (Hebrews 13:15)  
• Others, because it blesses them (Ephesians 5:19).

Other Versions

Of Proverbs 31:28 and writing our own.

• KJV: Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.
• CJB: Her children arise; they make her happy; her husband too, as he praises her;
• ERV: Her children say good things about her. Her husband brags about her and says,
• ISV: Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her;
• MSG: Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
• NLV: Her children rise up and honor her. Her husband does also, and he praises her saying:
• *Wolfe Stew Versions:
• (She=Wisdom) Call out the truth of what wisdom has done for you, how she's breathed life into you, developed and helped you. Sing loudly. For wisdom is proved right by all her children. (Luke 7:35)
• (She=Wife) Listen to and accept the feedback of your children and your husband. They know you best and their opinion matters most.
• Relationally: Give honor and praise when it is due. Don't hold back. Be a blessing
• Intellectually: Consider what fruits your works are producing, the offspring of your labors. Are your actions worthy of praise?
• Spiritually: Stay in God, your spiritual husband, to raise offspring (produce fruit) that cannot help but testify of God's life in you, and He will rejoice over you with singing.

Commentaries

Of Proverbs 31:28.

• Connect Us
• While some women remain childless, most desire to produce children.
• Children witness their mother's godliness and know she is blessed by God. We are called to live out godliness for our children and lead them as Christ leads us.
• Her husband praises her for grace, submission, and service.
• Pulpit
• This mother is fruitful!
• In observation of her sedulity, prudence, and affectionate care - celebrate and praise her by recognizing she is blessed by God.
• The people who know her best judge her and sing her praises. Therefore, she is content and happy.
• Septuagint: "Her mercy raises up her children, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her."
• *Conclusions:
• Both commentaries point to a worthiness of the praise.
• Also, motherhood is the primary focus of each
• The Septuagint is of interest because mercy is used there
• Her mercy (*sounds like Jesus) 
• raises up (*new life, resurrection, forgiveness, redemption) 
• her children (*the fruits of His labor: the will of His Father, to redeem and restore us) 
• and they grow rich (*in spiritual blessings), 
• and her husband (*those of us which marry ourselves to Wisdom)
• praises her (*Because we know of the good Wisdom brings, we can't help but shine a light)

*Look at Roles

From a Proverbs 31:28 perspective.

Helpers

• Complement him by attending to his needs, being nurturing.
• Respect him by accepting (and acknowledging) his praise. Acting in ways worthy of it.

Keepers

• Lead her by being willing to praise. Supporting her efforts toward Godliness (goodness).
• Love her by being honest in your praise, not to flatter (hollow) but to encourage (toward Godliness).

*As Christ's Bride

How Proverbs 31:28 applies.

As Christ's Church we will:

• Complement Him by producing children (a legacy) that sees (points to) God's work within us.
• Respect Him by accepting who He tells us that we are, our identity in Him.

Because Christ:

• Leads us by breathing life into our works, so that they are fruitful.
• Loves us by reminding us who we are. ("Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray)

*Godly Wisdom

 What Proverbs 31:28 teaches us about God.

1. God is our Father. 
2. He raises us, His children, up in every blessing - giving us life physically, spiritually and eternally.
3. He has betrothed His only begotten Son to us.
4. He is worthy of all our praise, all the time.

*Application

In the past, present and hope for the future.

• Past. Hurt. This will never be my future. This verse is not about me.
• Present. Acceptance. It's not about me. It has been, is, and will always be about God, His children, and accepting His Wisdom.
• Future Hope. That the children (my choices and what my choices produce) bear eternal life-giving fruit. That "my name" fades and Jesus' life remains. ("Only Jesus" by Casting Crowns). That all praise about me and from me is surrendered ("Living Sacrifice" by Brandon Lake) to God who loves me, placed me, shaped me, adopted me, and chose me for His son. Afterall, praising Him is my life's purpose. (Isaiah 43:21)

Final Thoughts

What revelation most moved you this week? Where did you struggle? 

God kept showing up this week, revealing to me in numerous ways that this verse is, ultimately, about Him. He blesses us; we are to sing His praises. It takes pressure off me because now I am not waiting for someone else to validate me. Instead, I turn my praise to Our Father in whom I arise blessed each morning.

The struggle comes in the simplicity, the surrender. If we accept this as our truth, what do we have to strive for? Can we really rest in surrender of praise while being raised in the abundant blessings of God? I want to, yet the battle rages.

This week, when I rise, my lips will bless Him and my mouth will sing His praise. I pray that you find yourself doing the same. Let's keep our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits transfixed on Him. Let's live in blessing.

Growing with You,

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Move on to Week 13.

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