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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.