The Virtuous Mother
Proverbs 31:10-31
Introduction – “Oh, the things my mom taught me.”
My Mom taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WEL DONE: “If you’re going to kill each
other, do it outside – I just finished cleaning!”
My Mom taught me FORESIGHT: “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re
in an accident.”
My Mom taught me about WEATHER: “It looks as if a tornado swept through your
room.”
My Mom taught me about RESPONISIBILITY for my actions: “If you fall out of the tree
and break both legs, don’t come running to me!”
I want to look with you this Mother’s Day at the wise words a mother taught her son (vv
1-2).
It’s a wonderful thing when a Mother, especially a Christian Mother, can give wise counsel
to her sons and daughters!
Proverbs 31 is a Prayer for a Son and a Pattern for a Daughter.
It’s a Mother’s guide to finding a good wife, and a pattern for young women to follow!
Verses 10-31 are literally the ABC’s of motherhood!
Herbert Locker – “Christian Mothers are the world’s greatest asset. The greatest human
influence, and the most wholesome and substantial contribution to human society, comes
from our mothers.”
The woman described by King Lemuel’s mother is called:
Virtuous – It’s a woman of noble character or a woman of excellence. She is:
1. Rare – who can find. vs. 10
2. Valuable – Her price is far above rubies. vs. 10
She is the kind of woman whose children arise up and call her Blessed; her husband
also, and he praiseth her, (vs. 28).
Wow, what more could a wife and mother want?
What kind of woman is she?
I. She’s a help to her husband. vv 11-12
a. Motherhood starts with marriage
Genesis 2 – God’s design for marriage: leave, cleave, one flesh
b. Ephesians 5:22-24 – Wives submit yourselves…
c.
She is trustworthy. vs. 11
d.
She is supportive. vs. 12
Proverbs 12:4 – A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband…(or a cancer)
So, the results – Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth amongth the elders of
the land! vs. 23
and Her husband praiseth; her many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest
them all. vv 28B-29
Moms are you a good role model for your daughters of what a wife is to be?
She’s a hard working homemaker. vs. 27
N.I.V. – She watches over the affairs of her household. Her family has her full attention!
(vs. 27)
“And eateth not the bread of idleness. She does not waste time with shallow unproductive
activit,,” (vs. 27).
II. Her hands are hard at work. vv 13-25
1. How she begins her day? vs. 15A
2. How she sow’s? vs. 13 and vs. 19
3. She shops. vs. 14
4. She cooks and feeds the family. vs. 15B
5. She’s enterprising. vs. 16 and vs. 24
6. She’s physically fit. vs. 17
7. She’s the last one to bed. vs. 18
8. She’s compassionate and generous. vs. 20
9. She makes preparations for the family. vs. 21
10. She’s well dressed. vs. 22
11. She has
Strength – physical, emotions, spiritual vs. 25
Dignity – honor
vs. 25
Joyful confidence vs. 25
Proverbs 14:1 – “Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish pluck it down with
her hands.”
III. She uses her mouth for God. vs. 26
From her busy hands to her blessed mouth!
New Testament Book of James and living with a _____________________
Two things happen when she opens her mouth!
Wisdom, so wise speech – Because she knows her Bible! vs. 26
Kindness, a kind heart – Because she is filled with the Holy Spirit! vs. 26
She does not use her tongue for gossip, slander, or falsehoods.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And
grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from
you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stirrup anger.
She knows how to say:
• I am sorry
• I was wrong
• Please forgive me
• I love you
She also uses her tongue:
• To Pray
• To Praise
• To Proclaim!
IV. She is devoted to her children. vs. 28
Psalms 127:3 – Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is
reward.
Psalms 113:9 – He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of
children, Praise ye the Lord.
Every Jewish woman wanted children. (Hope for the Messiah.)
llustration:
Rachel – give me children else I die.
Hannah – Samuel – your children are only loaned to you for a short time!
So seek to influence them for God!
Illustration:
Hannah – Samuel
Jachebed – Moses
Elisabeth – John the Baptist
Grandmother Lois and mother Eunice – young Timothy. He knew the scriptures from
the time he was a child.
Her children arise up and call her Blessed. vs. 28
Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus!
I Timothy 2:15 …she shall be saved by childbearing…
She fears the Lord. vv 30-31
This is The Secret and source of her virtue.
Favor or charm is Deceptive and Beauty is vain. Vs. 30
Why? It is fleeting or passing!
Illustration: I Peter 3
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
• Salvation
• Sanctification
• Service
She:
• Prays
• Studies God’s word
• Fellowships
• Sacrifices
Help to husband
Hardworking homemaker
Her mouth is good
Devoted to her children
Fears the Lord