Proverbs 28 - 31

 Read Proverbs 28-31 by clicking HERE.

Today we'll take a glimpse at four short chapters to finish out the book of Proverbs. 

As we come to a close in this fascinating book of WISDOM, have you noticed how many verses are designed to be spiritual encouragement (homilies) in the form of similes (a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox )?  There's A LOT of them!

However, these last four chapters are a little different. The writer uses comparisons. Instead of using a bunch of similes, the writer uses the stark contrast between two polarizing individuals (ie. the wicked vs. the godly).  Notice the examples:

28:1 - "The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions."

28:5 - "Evil people don't understand justice but those who follow the Lord understand completely."

28:12 - "When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding."

28:14 - "Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble."

You get the idea. 

So, if we were to casually make a list as we read the rest of these passages and divide the contrasting verses into two columns where one side represents the attitudes, behavior, and outcomes of the godly and the other represents the attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes of the wicked, it would look a little like this:

Godly:                                                            Wicked:

Rescued from harm                                      Will be destroyed

Are naturally rewarded by God                    Easily fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes

People rejoice when the Godly lead             People groan when the wicked lead

Escape the trap of sin                                   Trapped by sin

Look for honest people                                Hate the honest

Accept divine guidance and are happy        Do NOT accept divine guidance and run wild.

Ok, it's your turn!  Why not create your own list?  See what you come up with and really meditate on the differences between the two.  The idea of this exercise is to create a clear comparison of the two and then understand and see how they behave, their attitude about life, and the outcomes those actions can create.  Hopefully it becomes a list that convicts you about areas in your own life!

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As we move to the two last chapters, Proverbs closes with the wise counsel of two godly men - Agur and Lemuel.  

Agur summarizes in Proverbs 30 many of the themes that have been woven throughout the book: wisdom and folly, greed and gluttony, adultery and hypocrisy. See if you can draw out one or two verses that mean the most to you or has the most impact on you.

Then in Proverbs 31, king Lemuel writes a beautiful poem (in Hebrew) - one in which each verse begins with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet and praises the virtuous wife and mother. 

Listen to how king Lemuel lists the extraordinary qualities of a "virtuous wife and mother"!

He first begins by basically saying in Proverbs 31:10 - "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?" And he's right, they are hard to find...especially in today's corrupt society!

Next, he goes into the qualities of a virtuous wife - notice how wonderful these qualities are!

- More precious than rubies  /   her husband can trust her  /   she greatly enriches her husband's life   /   is a hard worker  /   does whatever necessary to take care of her family   /   is energetic and strong   /   watches for bargains   /   works late into the night   /   helps the poor and needy   /   she's industrious   /   she is wise, kind, and carefully attends to exactly what's going on in the home  /  is praised by her husband and children   /   she fears the Lord   /   will be rewarded

Who do you know that's a virtuous woman?  Are you one?