1. Lesson 18
Proverbs

2. A Woman More Valuable
King Lemuel starts Pr. 31 expressing the advice he was given by his mother:
Pr. 31:1-3 – Keep yourself from the ungodly woman
Pr. 31:4-7 – Refrain from wine and strong drink
Pr. 31:8-9 – Always judge righteously. Defend the rights of the unfortunate, afflicted, and needy.
The latter part of the chapter paints a picture of a woman to be admired for her character, industriousness, and strength.

3. Who can find a virtuous woman?
Many good women are in the Bible as examples
Ruth
3:11 – Ruth is “worthy, virtuous”
Ruth 1:16-17 – She was kind, industrious, and devoted to the Lord.
She was not politically powerful. She was destitute. Her value came from her inspirational example.
Hannah
1 Sam. 2:18-19 – Samuel was influenced by his godly mother.
1 Sam. 2:26; 3:10-19 – He became a great prophet and judge.

4. Who can find a virtuous woman?
There are many positive female examples
Eunice and Lois
2 Tim. 3:15 – Timothy was taught the scriptures from a babe.
Others
Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist – Luke 1:5-67
Mary, mother of Jesus – Luke 1:28
Sarah, wife of Abraham – Gen. 12:11, 14, 17:15-16
Rebekah, wife of Isaac – Gen. 24:58-61; 27:5-13
Miriam, sister of Moses – Ex. 2:4-8; 15:20-21
Deborah, only woman judge – Jud. 4:4-10
Dorcas, friend of the poor – Acts 9:32-42
Priscilla, helped teach Apollos – Acts 18:26

5. Who can find a virtuous woman?
Not every wife “is a good thing” – Pr. 18:22
Pr. 12:4 – “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”
Gen. 24 – Isaac did not receive a wife from the Canaanites due to the likelihood that they would turn is heart from the Lord.
Gen. 28:1 – Jacob was sent to his near kinsmen in Mesopotamia for the same reason to find a wife.
Gen. 26:34-35; 27:46 – Esau’s wives were a grief to Isaac and Rebekah
1 Kings 11:4 – Solomon’s own wives turned his heart away his heart from the Lord when he was old.

6. Who can find a virtuous woman?
A wife’s strength comes through fearing the Lord. Pr. 31:29-31
Mt. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God
1 Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:3-5 – Puts the Lord first

7. What makes a faithful woman so valuable?
She honors her husband – Pr. 31:11
She seeks her husband’s good – Pr. 31:12
She contributes to her husband’s success – v. 23
She loves her family – v. 21, 15, 27
She is frugal – v. 14, 18
She is a good neighbor – v. 20, 26
She clothes herself properly – v. 25, 17, 22
She is industrious – v. 13, 16, 19, 24

8. Her reward is! Her value Her praise Her pre-eminence Her secret
Pr. 31:10 – Above rubies
Her praise
Pr. 31:28 – Her husband says, “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
Pr. 31:28 – Her children praise her.
Pr. 31:31 – “…the fruit of her hands…” bring praise
Her pre-eminence
Pr. 31:29 – She excels.
Her secret
Pr. 31:30 – She fears the Lord.