A MOTHER’S TRUE DESIRE

Prov 31

“A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.

The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.

Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.

“If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,

‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,

“Ryan, you be Jesus!”

Being a mom isn't easy! It's a 24/7, 365 days a year responsibility. I can attest to this in my own home. My wife [Julie] is Mrs Clever, Super Woman and Chuck Norris all rolled into one taking care of six children [See how I added myself into that mix, her biggest suck....Me]. I thank the Lord each and every day for the blessing that He has given me [my wife Julie]. What I find amazing is that the bible declares “behold, children are a heritage from the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Ps 127:3. Do you realize moms that God gives you the greatest responsibilities of all…. to love and nurture His wonderful creation...back to Him? When I think of that statement I'm reminded of Hannah [a barren women who prayed to God for a child]. John MacArthur says “one of the unique features of the bible is the way it exalts women. Far from ever demeaning or belittling women, Scripture often seems to go out of the way to pay homage to them, to ennoble their roles in society and family, to acknowledge the importance of their influence, and exalt the virtues of women who were particularly godly examples” 

Interesting to note as we come to this portion of Solomon’s letter: This final chapter of Proverbs contains two poems — the Wise King (31:2-9) and the Excellent Wife (31:10-31) — both of which are attributed to King Lemuel, whom ancient Jewish tradition identified as King Solomon, but who is otherwise unknown. If Lemuel is, in fact, Solomon, that means the mother who taught her son these wise sayings about excellent character was Bathsheba — a woman known more for scandal than virtue. Perhaps Bathsheba taught Solomon about his ancestor Ruth (Matthew 1:5-6), who had a spotless reputation, and then Solomon could have penned Proverbs 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. After all, the passage parallels Ruth’s life in many ways. The Bible calls her “.... a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies”. This is speaking of her general character. She is an excellent wife, a strong or virtuous woman, full of mental energy. She is invaluable (extremely useful); her price is far above rubies (priceless). No quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth.

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS LOYAL (V11-V12)

She is trusted by her husband. She always has her husband’s happiness in view constantly. She recompenses all his kindness to her in beneficent acts. For kind words she returns kind deeds. Her good is pure; she will do him good and not evil. (v12) Her good is not inconsistent; it is constant and enduring, whiles she and her husband live. (v12). This is her general characteristic of a virtuous wife an “excellent wife/mother” who is loyal to her husband. Her husband’s heart safely trusts in her, for she will do him well all the days of her life. She is so loyal and caring wife/mother

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS SELFLESS (V13-V24)

She is gifted with her hands and willingly works using them (v13). In Exo 35:25 it says "And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined line."

• She collects the best for her family (v14)
• She labours hard for her family (v15)
• She provides food for her family (v15)
• She is resourceful (v16 - v17)
• She knows how to budget wisely and she knows what to invest in that is going to benefit her family
• She helps others (v20)

Prov 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful (generosity that person looks with a desire to give) eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

• She anticipates the seasons, and prepares for them (v21)
• She makes clothing for herself (v22)
• She sells things from her handy work (v24)

This characteristic that Solomon speaks of is a mother that does all these things for her family with a heart of gladness. This is the “Fruits for her labour” a privilege to serve her family out of love not out of duty. The praise and success she laboured to bring was to her family and Community

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO HAS A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT (V25-V26)

She is full of wisdom (v26). As Paul said in Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let no corrupt communication. What is rotten? Anything that will demoralize others, obscene, immoral thoughts or immoral language is forbidden. All that the Christian speaks should be that which is good to the use of edifying building the hearers up in Christ. She is full of kindness (v26)

Prov 16:24 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

She is a skilled manger of her home a Titus 2 woman (v27) In Titus 2:4-5 “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” I think one of the biggest responsibilities is an organized home. That is hard, hard work. She makes wise use of her time and is not idle (v27) “Idleness” (means) sluggishness, laziness as we been talking about with the church in Thessalonica

Prov 14:1 “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS BLESSED (V28-V31)

She is greatly respected by her children (v28). Nothing makes a mom happier to know that her family love and respect her for all her hard work! A great example is found in 2Tim 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” His grandmother and mother had been converted before him, and he had followed them into the kingdom. By their example and faithfulness they were blessed women, who loved and feared the Lord who saves by His grace! Prov 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Abraham Lincoln says “no man is poor who has a godly mother”. She is praised by her husband (V28)

• I praise my wife because she is someone who is very special to me because God gave her to me!
• I praise my wife for her hard work as a wife and mother
• I praise my wife for her faithfulness and devotion to me and our children
• I praise my wife for her loyalty to God first and passion to be a wife and mother that the bible calls virtuous

What this verse is saying is that her husband is so fulfilled with her conduct.....

• Towards himself
• His household,
• His business, and their children,
• That he praises her.

He shows himself wise of her excellence, and encourages her, in her work, by the compliments he praises her with. (V23-24). Husbands your responsibility is love her and care for her as extremely valuable ..............!! Listen to what Paul said in Eph 5:25-31 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,  that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Here is a grand rule according to which every husband is called to act:” Love your wife as Christ loved the Church.

How did Christ love the Church?

• He gave himself for it
• He laid down his life for it.
• So then husbands should, if necessary, lay down their lives for their wives:

Peter goes one step further to say that men! 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise ...live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

• Show them tenderness
• Give them honour  for they are special
• Both in heart, in word and in action

Why? Because we are joint heirs of the same eternal life through Jesus and His finishing work on the Cross! Look what her husband says in (v29) “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." This is the hub of a godly woman! She is a God fearing woman (v30) Prov 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. The fear of the Lord is the condition of all woman, as well as of all men, excellence. In Luke we read 1:46-50 “And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

Mothers are a family’s greatest treasure....Why? Because God has set guidelines and enormous responsibilities for Mother’s of all ages!!

• A Mother who is Loyal to her family
• A Mother who labor’s with a joyful heart
• A Mother who is full of wisdom and gentleness
• A Mother who is kind to all
• A Mother who is an example of godly character
• A Mother who is respected and greatly appreciated by her family
• A Mother who fears the Lord with reverence and awe

(V30-31) “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.” Ruth Graham “As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible” As Charles Spurgeon “I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring. . . .Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me.” 

The Sunday Question: Have you shown her how much you value her role today children, husbands?