May 11, 1997 9 min read old-sermon

A Tribute to Women (Proverbs 31:10-31)

please open your Bibles to Proverbs 31
if you want to generate a bit of heat in any discussion, just bring up the role of women
I find a great variety of views exist in the never-ending battle of the sexes
on one hand, you have the view that a woman can do the work of two men
that if women were prime ministers and presidents, wars would end, unemployment would be eliminated, and the Bre-X fiasco would never have taken place
on the other hand, you have those who feel that a woman’s place is secondary to a man’s
that it’s a man’s world, and that a woman had better learn her place in the world
just try opening a discussion on the matter sometime and see how it goes
if you took a poll and asked people what the Bible says on the matter, you would probably hear that the Bible is an antiquated book reflecting old-fashioned values
but this morning we’re in for a surprise
into the discussion of the role of the sexes, the Bible enters and paints a very noble, enlightened view of women
this morning is Mother’s Day
we are going to pay tribute to our mothers
we are so grateful for the qualities that our mothers exemplify
but there are many women who are not mothers
and we want to pay tribute to them this morning
I’m not going to make the mistake of telling women how to be better women
what do I know about being a woman?
but we’re going to let the Bible this morning pay tribute to the women in our lives as it paints a lofty view of females
I HOPE YOU REALIZE FIRST OF ALL THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT WOMEN AND MEN ARE EQUAL IN PERSONHOOD AND IMPORTANCE
when God created humans, he created both male and female in his image
men and women were made equally in God’s image, and both men and women reflect God’s image in their lives
we need to realize that Scripture teaches that men and women are equally important to God and equally valuable to him
I get very angry when I hear some chauvinist men let on that they are somehow worth more because they are men
no man should feel superior because he is a man, and no women should feel inferior because she is a woman
the Bible is clear, right from Genesis 1, that God values males and females equally, and both are created in his image
the Bible is also clear that there is an equality of God’s people in the church
(Galatians 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul was emphasizing to the Galatians that they had better not adopt the values of the culture in which men thought of themselves as being superior to women
instead, Paul told them that men and women are equal before God and should be equally valuable to each other as well
I won’t even get into the rights that the Bible bestows on a woman that were unthinkable in the culture of the day
or the friendships that Jesus had with women
we need to realize the dignity that the Bible bestows upon women
does this mean that there are no differences between men and women at all?
I think that most of us would recognize that there are some fairly obvious differences between men and women
there are two schools of thought on this issue
both recognize that women, Scripturally speaking, are equal before God
but one view teaches that men and women are equal and yet have different roles
that’s another morning’s topic
but listen up chauvinists: women and men are equal in personhood and importance
THE BIBLE IS ALSO CLEAR THAT WE SHOULD PAY TRIBUTE TO WOMEN
and that’s what we’re going to do this morning
1 Peter 3:7 tells husbands to “bestow honor” on their wives
and Proverbs 31 is a beautiful picture of the honor given to a godly woman
the passage in Proverbs 31 pays tribute to a woman who is finding fulfillment in her home, in the community, and in a career
this passage doesn’t limit women to one of these roles
now please understand that this passage isn’t intended to place guilt on women or to create unrealistic expectations
this passage, however, lays out some of the possible opportunities for women
if you’re a woman, please sit back and bask in the praise this morning
this isn’t a Hallmark card – it’s God’s Word that’s praising you
so enjoy it
maybe you will be challenged by the passage to find fulfillment in another avenue in your life
THE NOBLE WOMAN IS PRAISEWORTHY IN HER HOME
women, this morning we praise you because many of you have shown yourself praiseworthy in your homes
[AS WIVES]
(Proverbs 31:10) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
(Proverbs 31:12) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
(Proverbs 12:4) A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown
there’s hardly a day that goes by that I’m not aware of the value of a good wife
Charlene and I are like any couple
we have our good days, and she has her bad days
oops, I mean that we have our bad days
but not many days go by that I don’t realize how privileged I am to have a wife like her
I am incredibly blessed, and it’s worth even more as we consider that not everyone has this privilege
men, if you are married, please value your wives
your wives are precious, worth far more than rubies
let her know today how much you value her
she is a precious gift
[AS MOTHERS]
we also honor women who are mothers
(Proverbs 31:21) When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
(Proverbs 31:27) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
(Proverbs 31:28) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
it seems that everyone is blaming their parents for their problems
that’s why I like the title of a book I saw: What My Parents Did Right
let’s honor our mothers for their provisions of love for us
when Winston Churchill was still alive, an editor submitted a list for his approval of those who had been his teachers
Churchill returned the list to the editor with this comment: “You have omitted to mention the greatest of my teachers – my mother”
one woman wrote a letter to her child
this letter expresses what a mother gives to her child:

I give you my love, which means that I accept you, without reservations, just as you are and will be.
I give you my personal presence in order that you will have the security you need during your childhood.
I give you my ears, in the sense that I will never be too busy to listen to you – sometimes never uttering even one word.
I give you opportunities to work so that you might learn to do it without shame and come to enjoy the satisfaction of work well done.
I give you my counsel only when it is necessary or you ask for it so that you might avoid some of the mistakes I have made.
I give you my consolation when you have failed or feel discouraged, but I will not always protect you from the consequences of your sins.
I give you instructions in the way of the Lord so that when you are old, you will never depart from it.
I give you my daily prayers that the Lord will keep you and guide you in such a way that you, my child, will be a man or woman who will serve and glorify our Heavenly Father.
This I give you with all my love.

Your Mother,
Lydia Lightner

(Proverbs 31:28) Her ch ildren arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her
let’s praise the women here for what they have done in our homes
there really is no higher contribution that anyone can make than in the life of a child
as children and husbands we applaud you
THE NOBLE WOMAN IS ALSO PRAISEWORTHY IN HER COMMUNITY
(Proverbs 31:20) She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
(Proverbs 31:25) She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
(Proverbs 31:26) She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
here we have a woman pictured who is compassionate, known for her strength and dignity, and also a wise and loving counselor
her interests reach beyond the confines of her home
she cares for the needs of other people
the passage acknowledges that women are a vital part of the community as a whole
in the church, in neighborhoods and communities, we appreciate the contributions of women
today we have books identifying that men and women are different in fundamental ways
women are from one planet, and men are from another one
of course men get to be the ones from Mars
we need to recognize that women bring to the church community something that men can’t bring
we need to honor their contribution
let’s look at another area of praise for the noble woman
this one might surprise you
THE NOBLE WOMAN IS ALSO PRAISEWORTHY IN HER CAREER
(Proverbs 31:13) She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
(Proverbs 31:14) She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
(Proverbs 31:15) She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
(Proverbs 31:16) She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
(Proverbs 31:17) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
(Proverbs 31:18) She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
(Proverbs 31:19) In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
Proverbs 31 pictures a career woman
whoever it is that argues against women having a career obviously hasn’t read this passage!
here is a woman working diligently in her career
she is buying and selling, making money
in fact, the Bible does describe the career activities of woman outside the home without condemning them
Lydia was a seller of purple clothes; Priscilla was a worker along with her husband
the Bible does not stifle the individual talent of a woman outside the home or in a career
in fact, Proverbs 31 praises a noble woman who is a good wife, mother, community member, and career woman
not all women choose to have careers, but about 60% of Canadian women over the age of 25 do hold jobs
but for those of you who have made this choice, don’t succumb to those who try to impose guilt on you for having work outside the home
the housewife’s role only came into existence during the Industrial Revolution
in fact, for almost all of history until World War II, women did have careers
we ought to follow the example of Proverbs 31 and praise those women who are working hard in their careers
we do honor you
FINALLY, THE NOBLE WOMAN IS ALSO PRAISEWORTHY SPIRITUALLY
(Proverbs 31:30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
the woman who lives for God is worthy of praise
some of the most spiritual people I have known have been women
and we praise them for it
how’s that for a tribute?
let’s make a few applications as we close
APPLICATION NUMBER ONE: LET’S GIVE PROPER HONOR TO THE WOMEN IN OUR LIVES
surely the first application is that we should be recognizing women as equal partners in God’s grace, and expressing our appreciation to them
(Proverbs 31:31) Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
let’s give women their due and show our appreciation to them for their roles
not just in the home, but in our communities and in their careers
have you done this today?
if your mother is still alive, have you thanked her and praised her today?
if you have a wife, have you told her how much you appreciate her?
APPLICATION NUMBER TWO: LET’S STRIVE TO APPLY WHAT THESE WOMEN HAVE TAUGHT US
let’s consider their example and imitate them if they have been good examples
let’s learn from the woman of Proverbs 31 and try to emulate her
she is respected by her family and community, a success in her career, and she is spiritually sound
how are you and your family? could you learn anything from the woman in Proverbs 31?
how is your impact in the community?
how is your spiritual life? do you know God and fear him like the woman in Proverbs 31?
APPLICATION NUMBER THREE, LET’S LOOK AT OUR LIFE’S BOTTOM LINE
one of the things we’re told to do is to imagine what we want people to say about us at our funeral, and then try to live a life that earns the eulogies we desire
women couldn’t do badly to try to live the life of Proverbs 31
as we see Proverbs 31, we think of the bottom line of our lives
not just success in a career or community or home, but balance and success and respect
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:
How do you measure success?

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done;
To know even one other life has breathed because you lived—
This is to have succeeded.

Darryl Dash

I'm a grateful husband, father, oupa, and pastor of Grace Fellowship Church Don Mills. I love learning, writing, and encouraging. I'm on a lifelong quest to become a humble, gracious old man.

Toronto, Canada

Darryl Dash

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