Proverbs 31: Week Thirty-Nine | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome to week thirty-nine of our Proverbs 31 journey. If you'd like to return 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 considered the virtue of respect by studying Proverbs 31:12 and 28.
• In April, we trained to be hardworking with Proverbs 31:13 and 19 as our instructors.
• In May, we saw what it takes to be resourceful by examining Proverbs 31:14 and 21. 
• In June, we developed our caring muscle by exercising Proverbs 31:15 and 22.
• In July, we practiced being savvy with help from Proverbs 31:16 and 27.
• In August, we witnessed exemplary behavior outlined in Proverbs 31:18 and 31:31.
• In September, we will find what being necessary looks like from Proverbs 31:20 and 24.

If you're ready to travel with us, welcome! Grab your September 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:

*Godly Wisdom Reflecting on what Proverbs 31:24 teaches us about God.
*Application in the past, present, and future.

*Top 3 personal revelations from Proverbs 31:24.

*Connections between Proverbs 31:20 & 24.
*Altered Definition of necessary.
*I am Necessary because...
*Virtue Reflection Putting together the pieces thus far unveiled.

*Godly Wisdom

Reflecting on what Proverbs 31:24 teaches us about God.

• Only He is righteous.
• Only He is truth.
• He knows we need Him.
• He openly advertises the goodness He offers.
• He distributes His truth far and wide; it is readily available to us.

*Conclusions: If we aren't wrapped in righteousness and don't accept truth, it's not because we don't know about it or that we don't have access to it. It's because we willfully skip His commercials and deny His deliveries. Are you buying what He's selling? In every moment?

*Application

In the past, present, and future.

• In the past, this verse OVERWHELMED me. This industrious, business-minded, bold woman was a force to be reckoned with. Intimidating, even. She did it all and she did it well.
• Currently, I am THANKFUL to have the fine linen of righteousness and truths that will rescue others because of Jesus. I understand the cost of our righteousness and know His faithfulness is guaranteed.
• In the future, I HOPE to become a better peddler of righteousness and deliverer of truth.

*Top 3

Personal revelations from Proverbs 31:24.

1. The most important work is not my burden; it has already been finished. (John 19:28-30)
2. Righteousness and truth, the only provisions that matter, keep reappearing throughout this poem. 
3. God is in relentless pursuit of us; it's our own foolishness that bars the way.

*Connections

Between Proverbs 31:20 & 24.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor: yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

• She: both about "her" - Wisdom, The Bride of Christ, or an earthly wife.
• Stretcheth / reacheth / selleth / delivereth: She is active! She is involved, known, present, and engages with others.
• Hand / linen / girdles: made by the work of her hands
• Poor / needy / linen / girdles: in need, necessary, not luxuriant or vain, vital
• Poor and linen: Those living at a lower standard need to know they are clothed in Christ's righteousness.
• Needy and girdles: Those who suffer need to hear truth
• Merchant: others are needed to carry on her good work; she cannot do it alone

*Conclusions: From her hard and careful labor, great products result. She herself works to convince others to buy and distribute them. Her target audience: those who do not think they deserve it and those who truly need what she offers. She cannot do it alone, so she enlists the help of others.

 

*Altered Definition

Of necessary.

from a position of accepting and understanding that Christ's sacrifice brings salvation and righteousness, we feel compelled to share the good news with those who have accepted a lower standard of living and who require His healing.

 

*I am Necessary...

because...

• Generally, God made us His Plan A, and there is no Plan B. He doesn't want heaven without us and He entrusts us to care for His sheep. So that we can all come home through the gate.
• Personally, I have accepted and increasingly seek to understand the sacrifice Christ made for me.
• Relationally, I share the good news with family and strangers by choosing words and actions that I hope point to Jesus. I pray for those who persecute me.
• Intellectually, I let Him guide me, by staying in His word, and by applying what I read. I learn to be content in every circumstance.
• Spiritually, I check to make sure that I'm not accepting a lower standard of living than the one He offers and that when I need healing, I seek Him desperately because I know He is necessary.

*Disclaimer: None of these descriptors are persistently consistent with me. Rather, they serve to remind me that I have thought or acted this way previously and can adopt these attitudes and behaviors again.

*Virtue Reflection

Putting together the pieces thus far unveiled.

• All of these traits are Christ's not mine. The only reason I can reflect any of them is because of His work in me.
• In private, He WORKS HARD while MAKING WISE CHOICES with the BEST RESOURCES.
• In public, He CARES for others by being RESPECTFUL and UPLIFTING.
• So, He is regarded as VALUABLE, NECESSARY, and EXEMPLARY.

Final Thoughts

Oh, how He loves us. Do you believe it? Are you receiving it? 

Growing with You,

Review Week 38 or

Move on to Week 40.

Sample these related posts:

Review the first three virtues.

Connect the first six virtues.

Read more notes on righteousness and truth.

Be a herald for Christ.

Serve Your King.

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