A Magnolia's Heart Beats

IPOP31 Bible Study Part 2- Shattering the Myths

There was much to be learned in shattering the myths of the Proverbs 31 Woman. I encourage you to join in this study by clicking on the button above.

Proverbs 31

Sayings of King Lemuel

1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him:

I thought King Lemuel, mentioned nowhere else in the Bible but here, had a great Mother who only wanted the best for him, but I never realized that King Lemuel was Solomon. I have always believed Proverbs 31 is a heartfelt prayer for her son's future wife. I didn't realize that it Proverbs 31 was probably written by Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, until Amy pointed that out.

But who is King Lemuel? According to www.scripturetext.com, "Lemuel Lmuw'el (lem-oo-ale')(belonging) to God; Lemuel or Lemoel, a symbolic name of Solomon -- Lemuel."

That works for me, and helps me see that Bathesheba, Solomon's mother, had some very wise words and deep-seated hope for her son's future wife. I wonder if she knew he would go on to marry a gazillion woman? Well, not a gazillion, but he was on up there in numbers. David had a strong passion for women, too, so I think he somewhat followed in his father's footsteps. I love David, so this is not a slam against David or Solomon, more of an observation. That I probably could have kept to myself. I'm just saying, is all.

The second myth that was shattered for me was that the Proverbs 31 Woman was not an actual wife at that time. See above. She was what Bathsheba wanted for Solomon.

Myth number three was that Proverbs 31 is a set of guidelines we should follow. Amy writes, "Not everything recorded in the bible should be interpreted as literal guidelines. The majority of it is to allow us to learn from example. The example we should focus on here is the thoughts from the heart of a woman. If scholars are correct and the mother who wrote it is Bathsheba, then it should be easy to see why her heart would yearn for so much for her son.God reveals Himself to us spiritually. If we put our effort into growing our relationship with Him then we will develop a deeper understanding of who He is and what He is showing us though His word.

If you are looking for guidelines for Christian women then they can be found in many other places in the bible."

Then she gives Scripture. Titus 2:3-5, Ephesians 5:22, Proverbs 14:1, 1 Peter 3:1.

She encouraged us to read Matthew 6, and I did. I found many PoW (Pearls of Wisdom) there.

Giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, setting priorities (or treasures), and not being anxious are all discussed in Proverbs 31!

Words of Amy in Blue:

Focused Thoughts:

Proverbs 31 is not about a compilation of women, is not an actual wife, and is not a set of guidelines or a "to do" list for Christian women.

And you have no idea what pressure just lifted off my shoulders! God would never weigh us down with the impossible! We can strive to have these characteristics, but these are not commandments.

We cannot believe our natural assumptions when reading scriptures are the right ones. We must consult with God, study, and pray to receive revelation.

A hearty Amen!

Proverbs 31 is a spiritual lesson.

And one I'm looking forward to studying and growing closer to Christ as a result.

Scripture for Memory:

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Write It Down (or post it):

Done

Be sure to record your revelation and thoughts in your bible, notebook, or let us all share in what you are learning and write a post about it and link it here! I'd love to know what God revealed to you while reading Matthew 6. I'll even post my own thoughts and notes later in the week.

Done - see above. I loved the parallels I found!

For Study Purposes:

Look up the words: virtuous (vs.10), stretcheth (vs. 20), and feareth (vs. 30) in the concordance.

Using http://bibletab.com/

virtuous - 5 occurences. Ruth 3:11, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Kings 1:52, Proverbs 12:4, and Proverbs 31:10

stretcheth - 33 occurences. Genesis 12:8, Genesis 26:25, Genesis 35:21, Genesis 39:21, Exodus 8:6, Exodus 8:17, Exodus 9:23, Exodus 10:13, Exodus 10:22, Exodus 14:21, Exodus 14:27, Joshua 8:18, Joshua 19:13, Judges 4:11, 2 Samuel 21:10, 1 Kings 17:21, 1 Kings 18:42, 2 Kings 4:34, 2 Kings 4:35, 1 Chronicles 15:1, Job 9:8, Job 15:25, Job 26:7, Job 30:24, Job 39:26, Proverbs 31:20, Isaiah 31:3, Isaiah 40:22, Isaiah 44:13, Isaiah 44:24, Hosea 7:5, Zephaniah 2:13, Zechariah 12:1,

feareth - 36 occurrences - Acts 10:22, Acts 10:35, Acts 13:26, 1 John 4:18, Genesis 28:17, Genesis 32:7, Exodus 2:14, 1 Samuel 28:5, 1 Samuel 28:20, 2 Samuel 6:9, 1 Kings 1:50, 1 Kings 1:51, 1 Kings 19:3, 1 Chronicles 10:4, 1 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Job 1:8, Job 2:3, Psalms 25:12, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 112:8, Psalms 128:1, Psalms 128:4, Proverbs 13:13, Proverbs 14:2, Proverbs 14:16, Proverbs 28:14, Proverbs 31:30, Ecclesiastes 7:18, Ecclesiastes 8:13, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Isaiah 19:17, Isaiah 25:3, Isaiah 50:10, Jeremiah 26:21, Ezekiel 18:14

Find two other scriptures that are guidelines for women.

List three things about Bathsheba that stand out to you.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~ Titus 2:3-5

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." ~ 1 Peter 3:1-6

Three things about Bathsheba that stand out to me:

1 - She received God's mercy and grace and didn't live a life beaten down by guilt for her sin

2 - She loved her son Solomon enough to dedicate time to making an acrostic as to the attributes she desired for his future wife (wives)

3 - Despite her shady past (bathing on a rooftop and later commiting adultery) she was used by God

Questions to ponder:

What is the one verse in Proverbs 31:11-28 that you would most like to accomplish?

v. 11 - "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value."

Steve has full confidence in me, but I want to make sure I make wise decisions that leave him lacking nothing of value.

Who do you personally know that you would consider to be a true Proverbs 31 woman? Tell us about her.

I know many women who strive to be a true Proverbs 31 woman, but I'm not sure I know one who already is. Hopefully, later in this study as I learn more about this woman and dispel the notion that she is perfect, I will recognize her for who she is.