“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” – Part 3

(Pro 31:25-31)

[Study Aired July 23, 2026]

In this last section of proverbs 31, we will look at the remaining spiritual attributes of Christ’s bride that are given to us to believe (Joh 6:29).

Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is when we see the spiritual meaning of the words we are reading that they become profitable words which quicken us (Joh 6:63).

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The words mean what they mean and not what they say (Mat 13:13 , Luk 8:10), and what they tell God’s elect is that Christ’s wife is “highly favoured” (Luk 1:28) in this age to know God and Jesus Christ, and to know that this hope of glory within us is real and nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God or the work that He is doing in us through Christ (Col 1:27 , Joh 14:20 , Rom 8:35-39 , Joh 18:9 , Eph 2:10). The words and the work of God within the body of Christ are being typified for us throughout this 31st chapter of Proverbs.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God:[Luk 17:21] but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:[Luk 17:21]

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

What God has started in us is being accomplished by Christ who is our “strength and honour” and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2 , Php 1:6). It is “her clothing” that represents her “strength and honour”, meaning the righteousness of Christ within the bride, which is a gift from God (Eph 2:8) that we carry with us through this life in earnest, knowing that “we shall rejoice in time to come” (Rev 19:8 , Eph 1:14 , Col 1:24).

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you [“she shall rejoice in time to come”], and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

This verse describes for us the fruit of the bride’s life. Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:30-31 , Eph 1:17-18), and the one who is able to soften our hearts through the trials and much tribulation that we must go through in order to have His mind (Act 14:22), which produces “the law of kindness”.

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

We are our brother’s keeper (Gen 4:9), and we are each called to “looketh well to the ways of her household” (Pro 27:23 , Php 2:4-7 , 1Pe 5:2 , Act 20:28).

Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

It requires Christ’s life, the true bread of life within us (Joh 6:35), to give us victory over “the bread of idleness”. Very few are given that fear of God in this age (Isa 66:2 , Heb 5:7), which creates a zeal within the body of Christ (Tit 2:14-15) that is needed to move with fear to the saving of our temple (1Co 3:16 , Psa 119:139), or “household”, typified by Noah who did just that (Heb 11:7).

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

God has purposed that it would be few who are initially saved, so that mankind, in time, will get the message that it is only by Christ working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure that we can become profitable servants who are prepared at the end of this age (Php 2:12-13 , Luk 17:10 , Rom 3:27-28).

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Pro 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

This verse takes us back to recognizing the value of the merchandise that we have (Pro 3:14 , Pro 31:18), which merchandise is God’s word, “Her children arise up”, that Christ holds fast to within us (Col 1:27 , Rev 3:11 , Joh 18:9).

Pro 3:14  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Pro 31:18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.(Php 4:13)

Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.(Lev 16:21)

The doctrines that God has opened our heavens to understand are likened unto “Her children arise up, and call her blessed”. God gives the increase, and the spirit of those words that we now have and understand bear witness that we are the children of God (Rom 8:14-16).

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.[Heb 5:7 , 1Jn 4:17]
Rom 8:16  The Spirit [Joh 6:63] itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The doctrines of Christ are likened unto children that “arise up” in our heavens as God gives the increase (1Co 3:6). We are raised in heavenly places with our Father and Christ, and Christ acknowledges the workmanship of God, praising God for what He is doing within each joint that supplies in love (Eph 2:6-8 , Eph 4:16).

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [Mat 13:37-40 , 1Pe 4:12 , 1Pe 4:17]

Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom [Gal 3:16]; but the tares^G2215  are the children of the wicked one;

Tares G2215 zizanion
Thayer Definition:
1) a kind of darnel, resembling wheat except the grains are black
Part of Speech: noun neuter

 

Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Many people have waxed valiant for God in the old covenant providing a type and shadow of the greater works that God would do through the body of Christ (Heb 11:1-40). How much greater those works would be is something that our Father wants the world to know in time, not to draw attention to the bride of Christ, but rather to draw attention to the reality of who is doing these greater works than even what Christ did while in his flesh (Joh 14:12), which are being accomplished in the body of Christ today (Php 2:12-13). Virtuous behaviour does not equate with knowing the Truth (Luk 10:24), and the most virtuous or greatest work we can do in this life is to draw people to Christ if God will grant us that ability to be fishers of men (Mat 4:19 , 1Ti 4:16 , 1Jn 4:6).

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.(Col 1:27)

The greater works that God is going to do and has been doing within the body of Christ is what the statement “but thou excellest them all” is a type and shadow of. The “many daughters” in the verse represents the many daughters of Babylon that God’s people come out of (Rev 17:5) and who have done many wonderful works, but were not able to give all glory to God, still being found with their own righteousnesses as God intended to be the case (Php 3:9 , Mar 10:21-23). It will only be through God burning out that self righteous spirit within us today (2Th 1:4-5) that we will be able to be found counted worthy to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6)

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mar 10:22  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mar 10:23  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

2Th 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2Th 1:5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Pro 31:30  Favour^H2580 is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

favour  H2580  chên  khane
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): – favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.

Favour is not the problem, but rather the deceitful and desperately wicked heart that is seeking a reward in the flesh in this life (Mat 6:2-5). Beauty is vain, but again beauty is not the problem, the problem is the corrupt heart that tells God, ‘I’m beautiful, I’ve done all these works from my youth up’ not knowing that those works in our flesh are a stench in God’s nose, where we don’t recognize our own ongoing unprofitability (Luk 17:10 , Gal 6:3 , Mar 10:18 , Mar 10:21).

Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. [1Co 3:6-7]

Mar 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. [those who are given to obey these commands of Christ are represented by the proverbs 31 woman]

What is truly beautiful to God is the body of Christ with the life of Christ within us who fears God (Heb 5:7), “a woman that feareth the LORD”. That is the woman, or church, who will be praise by her husband, or lord, with these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mat 25:17 , Mat 25:21 , Mat 25:23).

Mat 25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Pro 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Giving to “her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” is a statement telling us that God is going to reward the elect for all that we have had to endure in this life for the kingdom’s sake (Mat 19:27-30).

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee;[Mar 10:21] what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

The workmanship of God within the elect was declared from the foundation of the world (Eph 2:10), works that Christ is doing within us that glorify God. Through Christ the church will glorify God, and the Lord will make a point to draw the world’s attention to the love that He had toward the elect and the miraculous work that He did within them, as he does with this proverbs 31 woman who represents Christ’s bride (Mal 3:16-18 , Rev 3:9-11).

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.[Heb 10:25]
Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Rev 3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Praise God for those wonderful works to the children of men that He is doing in His little beloved flock! (Luk 12:32)

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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 12 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 12

May 22, 2016

with Steven Crook

In our study today, we find ourselves approaching the end of this chapter about the virtuous woman of chapter 31.

In our previous study, we saw that our husband is well known in the gates of the city when he sits among the elders, and being that He is the Husband of all of us, we can all take joy in knowing that we are all His wife and workmanship in Him and therefore are also “known in the gates”.

It is fitting that this is the twelfth study in this series because we are going to soon learn that when this virtuous body of Christ and virtuous woman speaks, she speaks on the foundation of wisdom.

Wisdom

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Looking at the first part of our first verse, we notice that our virtuous woman opens her mouth in wisdom. So a wise person would ask them self, “Where do I gain wisdom from?”

I would say that the virtuous wife gains her wisdom from her Husband ESPECIALLY when we are understanding this as a spiritual statement primarily. There is the wisdom of this world and there is wisdom which comes from above.

Mat 13:53  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
Mat 13:54  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mat 13:57  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mat 13:58  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Notice that wisdom and mighty works are connected together.
Joh 5:34  But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
Joh 5:35  He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Joh 5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Joh 5:37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Jesus came doing the works of the Father but He Himself said that we would do even greater works!

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Now that we see that works and wisdom go hand and foot together, and that the works and wisdom are from God the Father even in Jesus’ case, what does wisdom look like in our lives as we live out these words of Jesus and “do the greater works”?

First off, we must understand what these “greater works” are so that we can understand where wisdom comes in place because as a virtuous wife to our Husband, we must have it already in our minds before we can “speak wisdom”.

What then does it mean, scripturally, to be “greater” than the thing being spoken about. It is what it sounds like but let’s use some scripture to solidify this concept in our minds.

G3187
meizōn
mide'-zone
Irregular comparative of G3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specifically in age): - elder, greater (-est), more.
Total KJV occurrences: 45

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

Mar 4:31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Jas 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Rom 9:11  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom 9:12  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

It is clear from these scriptures that indeed “greater” indicates something that is more or larger than the thing being compared.

The reason I have taken the time to include things that are “greater” with this discussion on wisdom is because without the comparison of “greater” we would not be able to comprehend why the wisdom from above is MUCH greater than the wisdom of men.

Jas 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

When we, as the virtuous body of Christ, act, say, or do ANYTHING, it should be that we are pulling from the wisdom of scripture and all of those examples and admonitions that have gone before us.

Our good conversation, or the way we live should all be done with meek wisdom.

Pro 4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Pro 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Pro 4:9  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Law of kindness

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Pro 31:26  She openethH6605 her mouthH6310 with wisdom;H2451 and inH5921 her tongueH3956 is the lawH8451 of kindness.H2617

Hebrew 2617 is better translated mercy and will help this verse come alive for us.

H2617
chêsêd
Total KJV Occurrences: 249
mercy, 137
Gen_19:19, Gen_24:27, Gen_39:21, Exo_15:13, Exo_34:6-7 (2), Num_14:18-19 (2), Deu_5:10, Deu_7:9, Deu_7:12, Jdg_1:24, 2Sa_7:15, 2Sa_15:20, 2Sa_22:51, 1Ki_3:6, 1Ki_8:23, 1Ch_16:34, 1Ch_16:41, 1Ch_17:13, 2Ch_1:8, 2Ch_6:13-14 (2), 2Ch_7:3, 2Ch_7:6, 2Ch_20:21, Ezr_3:11, Ezr_7:28, Ezr_9:9, Neh_1:5, Neh_9:32, Neh_13:22, Job_37:13, Psa_5:7, Psa_13:5, Psa_18:50, Psa_21:7, Psa_25:6-7 (2), Psa_25:10, Psa_31:7, Psa_32:10, Psa_33:18, Psa_33:22, Psa_36:5, Psa_52:8, Psa_57:3, Psa_59:10 (2), Psa_59:16-17 (2), Psa_61:7, Psa_62:12, Psa_66:20, Psa_69:13, Psa_77:8, Psa_85:7, Psa_85:10, Psa_86:5, Psa_86:13, Psa_86:15, Psa_89:2, Psa_89:14, Psa_89:24, Psa_89:28, Psa_90:14, Psa_94:18, Psa_98:3, Psa_100:5, Psa_101:1, Psa_103:8, Psa_103:11, Psa_103:17, Psa_107:1 (2), Psa_108:4, Psa_109:12, Psa_109:16, Psa_109:21, Psa_109:26, Psa_118:1-4 (5), Psa_118:29, Psa_119:64, Psa_119:124, Psa_130:7, Ps 136 (26), Psa_138:8, Psa_143:12, Psa_145:8, Psa_147:11, Pro_3:3, Pro_14:22, Pro_16:6, Pro_20:28 (2), Pro_21:21, Isa_16:5, Jer_33:11, Dan_9:4, Hos_4:1, Hos_6:6, Hos_10:12, Hos_12:6, Mic_6:8 (2), Mic_7:18, Mic_7:20, Zec_7:9
kindness, 40
Gen_20:13, Gen_21:23, Gen_24:12, Gen_40:14 (2), Jos_2:12 (2), Jdg_8:35, Rth_2:20, Rth_3:10, 1Sa_15:6, 1Sa_20:14-15 (2), 2Sa_2:5-6 (2), 2Sa_3:8, 2Sa_9:1, 2Sa_9:3, 2Sa_9:7, 2Sa_10:2 (2), 2Sa_16:17, 1Ki_2:7, 1Ki_3:6, 1Ch_19:2 (2), 2Ch_24:22, Neh_9:17, Est_2:9, Psa_31:21, Psa_117:2, Psa_119:76, Psa_141:5, Pro_19:22, Pro_31:26, Isa_54:8, Isa_54:10, Jer_2:2, Joe_2:13, Jon_4:2

There are more words translated into English from this Hebrew word, but these are the two prominent ones. The majority of the time this word is translated as “mercy”.

Psa 86:13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Hos 6:5  Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
Hos 6:6  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

So, mercy is a law and Jesus said as much.
Mat 23:22  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

We are told to keep the maw of mercy and that is what the virtuous woman is all about. However, we must also mix mercy with wisdom and not always error on the side of mercy if we aren’t using wisdom to know when to show mercy.

Again, James tells us this.

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Pro 8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Pro 8:12  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Given all that we have mentioned about wisdom, how does the virtuous woman who opens her mouth with wisdom and speaks with her tongue loving mercy, apply this to her own life and way of living?

Well, she probably looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness according to Proverbs 31:27.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

What does it mean to look well to the ways of her household? A mother and wife naturally will be concerned with the wellness and well-being of those in the household.

New Testament examples of looking well to the ways of the household can be found in 1 Tim and Titus 2.

1Ti 5:11  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1Ti 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15  For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Tit 2:3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Now, if these things apply to physical women, how much more do they apply to all the household of God who are the body of Christ, the church of the living God?

Additionally, if we accumulate everything that this virtuous woman has done and achieved we will notice that we are again being told that she is one who looks after her home well. Didn’t we already know this about this woman, that she rises early to tend to the needs of her household and those within it?

In other words, we need to REMEMBER our first love.

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Keeping wisdom and mercy within our hearts and minds at all times is what we need to do.

This spiritual concept is exactly what not eating the bread of idleness is all about. Eating of “that bread” is feeding the old serpent.

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Ecc 10:16  Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ecc 10:17  Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Ecc 10:18  By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Eze 16:46  And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
Eze 16:47  Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
Eze 16:48  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
Eze 16:49  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Eze 16:50  And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

The lesson to be pulled from this is that as we become more successful and as we age within the mindset of taking care of the things daily that need to be taken care of, we must continue to do these things as we did from the start.

We must always be diligent to remember that until it is the end, we have NOT overcome in FULL. We must get to the end so that we can claim that we have overcome until the end.

Looking well to the household of God includes many things but here is a good place to start.

Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

If that is all not clear enough, I want to show you now who you are you your Husband and what He expects from His wife that speaks His wisdom and has mercy on her lips.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:27  She looketh wellH6822 to the waysH1979 of her household,H1004 and eatethH398 notH3808 the breadH3899 of idleness.H6104

I think you will recognize she who looketh well because she is none other than the watchmen that we have talked so much about.

H6822
tsâphâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 38
watchman, 14
2Sa_18:24-27 (5), 2Ki_9:17-18 (2), 2Ki_9:20, Isa_21:6, Eze_3:17, Eze_33:2, Hos_9:6-8 (3)
watch, 5
Gen_31:49, 2Sa_13:34, Isa_21:5, Hab_2:1 (2)
watchmen, 5
1Sa_14:16, Isa_52:8, Isa_56:10, Jer_6:17, Mic_7:4
look, 2
Psa_5:3, Mic_7:7
looketh, 2
Pro_31:27, Son_7:4
watching, 2
1Sa_4:13, Lam_4:17
behold, 1
Psa_66:7
beholding, 1
Pro_15:3
espy, 1
Jer_48:19
waited, 1
Job_15:22
watched, 1
Lam_4:17
watcheth, 1
Psa_37:32
watchman’s, 1
Eze_33:6
well, 1
Pro_31:27

Yes, the spiritual connotation of this virtuous body of Christ, is that we are the acacia wood OVERLAID with gold in the household of God so that we can be among His tabernacle, be His tabernacle, from which His love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance can be made manifest to the world we are sent out into.

H1979
hălı̂ykâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 6
goings, 2
Psa_68:24 (2)
ways, 2
Pro_31:27, Hab_3:6
companies, 1
Job_6:19
walk, 1
Nah_2:5

Nah 2:5  He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk H1979; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

The same word used as “ways” in Proverbs 21:27 is used as “walk” in the verse above. Let us all be watchmen over one another as we care for one another as we go through this life striving to run towards the only Way, Truth and Life that matters in the end.