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The Virtuous Body of Christ - Part 14 Discussion

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“The virtuous body of Christ” - Part 14

June 5, 2016

with Steven Crook

Today we are going to wrap up the Proverb on the virtuous woman we have been studying. In doing so, we are going to find that the work of the Lord will be being accomplished while we are still in this tabernacle and that those same works are going to be what judges us worthy of praise or not.

Favour vs Grace

The final two verses for consideration and study are:

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

All words in scripture are inspired to have a positive and negative application and that is no different with the verses we are studying today.

When we read “favour is deceitful” what favour are we talking about?

H2580 is defined as:

H2580

chên
khane
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Total KJV occurrences: 69

H2580
chên
BDB Definition:
1) favour, grace, charm
1a) favour, grace, elegance
1b) favour, acceptance
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H2603
Same Word by TWOT Number: 694a

Hebrew word 2580 as defined by strongs is used interchangeably as grace in the Hebrew.

H2580
chên
Total KJV Occurrences: 69
grace, 38
Gen_6:8, Gen_19:19, Gen_32:5, Gen_33:8, Gen_33:10, Gen_33:15, Gen_34:11, Gen_39:4, Gen_47:25, Gen_47:29, Gen_50:4, Exo_33:12-13 (3), Exo_33:16-17 (2), Exo_34:9, Num_32:5, Jdg_6:17, Rth_2:2, Rth_2:10, 1Sa_1:18, 1Sa_20:3, 1Sa_27:5, 2Sa_14:22, 2Sa_16:4, Est_2:17, Psa_45:2, Psa_84:11, Pro_1:9, Pro_3:22, Pro_3:34, Pro_4:9, Pro_22:11, Jer_31:2, Zec_4:7 (2), Zec_12:10
favour, 26
Gen_18:3, Gen_30:27, Exo_3:21 (2), Exo_11:3, Exo_12:36, Num_11:11, Num_11:15, Deu_24:1, Rth_2:13, 1Sa_16:22, 1Sa_20:29, 1Sa_25:8, 2Sa_15:25, 1Ki_11:19, Est_2:15, Est_5:2, Est_5:8, Est_7:3, Est_8:5, Pro_3:4, Pro_13:15, Pro_22:1, Pro_28:23, Pro_31:30, Ecc_9:11
gracious, 2
Pro_11:16, Ecc_10:12
pleasant, 1
Pro_5:19
precious, 1
Pro_17:8
wellfavoured, 1
Nah_3:4

When looking at favor being deceitful, and knowing that favor seemly means grace, what grace could we be talking about? Let’s look at the differences in the favor of men versus the favor of God.

The favor and grace of God:

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Gen 18:2  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
Gen 18:3  And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Gen 30:27  And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Exo 3:21  And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
Exo 3:22  But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Gen 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Gen 39:2  And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Gen 39:3  And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Gen 39:4  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Pro 3:34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

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.

Ecc 10:12  The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Looking at the “natural” grace of men, then we will see the application of the negative aspect of grace. Grave from men is not always a negative thing so I am not trying to imply that, but seeking the praise and grace of men versus that which is of God is what I am focusing on.

When comparing the grace of men versus the grace of God, this is what we find we are dealing with:

Nah 3:3  The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
Nah 3:4  Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured H2580 harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

We’ve read a lot about riches of this world and being rich in the spirit, and our old man wants nothing more than to be favored by others in this world because it builds us up to “be something” when in fact we are blind and nothing at all relating to the kingdom of God.

The favored virtuous woman of God will understand that having favor of God and keeping His commandments is much more important than being favored in this world because we are willing to run the same excess of riot that they do.  The virtuous woman will KNOW this is true because she herself at ONE TIME did run with those that riot.

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1Pe 4:5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

When we realize this and take it all into account, then we will know Jesus Christ our Husband and knowing Him will give us Godly fear because He is ALWAYS pointing to His Father!

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Pro 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

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

By now we know this woman being talked about is not just any ol virtuous woman, but she is the wife of Jesus Christ.

Knowing the mind of Christ concerning those that fear God reveals to us why fearing the Lord shall be praised. There can be whole studies done on what the fear of the Lord is but due to lack if time I will simply just use a few scriptures to point out the overall concept of what the fear of the Lord is and why it is worthy of praise.

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2Ch 19:7  Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Pro 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

If you just type in “fear of the Lord” in e-sword, you’ll have a lot of verses returned to you with a lot of context on what the Lord tells us is the fear of the Lord.

Anyone who discounts the importance of this fear simply has not been given eyes to see and ears to hear that this FEAR is the acknowledgement that the Lord is in complete and utter control over all things and works all things after the counsel of His own will.

Anyone that has the fear of the Lord, is listening to the voice of their Husband because Jesus Christ Himself had the fear of God working within Him!

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

The spirit of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, and the spirit of knowledge are ALL CONNECTED with the fear of the Lord and for good reason.

Without this fear, one CANNOT judge righteous judgment and we MUST be able to JUDGE!!

This is why our Husband is not ashamed to call us His wife. His words are on our lips and His commandments are in our hearts and minds.

This directly reflects why the end of this chapter talks about favor and fear together ALONG with WORKS and JUDGMENT.

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

You might be saying that these verses do not mention anything about judgment, but here is what is mentioned right after Isaiah 11:1-2:

Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Why are favor, fear works and judgment all connected together?

If you remember back to our last few studies, we cover what the “greater works than these” are concerning the work that this virtuous woman does throughout her life.

One of the aspects that I did not cover is that judgement and deliverance from the thing being judged is directly connected together.

What do I mean with that statement?

When Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would be going to all the nations of the earth to spread the gospel, and we are His disciples indeed, He was not telling all His disciples that they would PHYSCICALLY be required to go to all nations of this planet.

Rather, this is a message of Spirit and Life.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 6:62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
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.
Joh 6:64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

So, combining this all together, what is the link between the fruit of this virtuous woman’s hands and her works praising her in the gates?

If we know what spiritual fruit is and what the spiritual gate is and what the works being spoken about are, then we can find an answer to this question.

Mar 11:17  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Isa 56:1  Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Isa 56:5  Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Isa 56:6  Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

What is the gate a part of? It is a gate to a city within a kingdom. Within this kingdom sits a house and in this house righteous judgment is always handed out, but there is only one Way that is True.

Hint: It has something to do with Jesus Christ.

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The work this virtuous woman is always doing is CONERNING HER HOUSEHOLD!

Don’t you know that you are the TEMPLE of the Living God and the Spirit of God dwells within you?

Jesus came to show us that the physical healing and feeding of others was but for a moment, but the works we DO are those works which give LIFE, TRUTH and a WAY to live our lives while still dwelling in this constantly moving tabernacles through the wilderness of this flesh.

Yes, many of the “greater works” we will do will be done WITHIN OURSELVES!! How can that be and how can I make such a BOLD CLAIM?

Isn’t that taking credit for doing my OWN WORKS? NO! It is simply knowing the difference between claiming I ALONE do these things and taking credit for it and knowing that WHILE I work God the Father as predestinated that I will work out my own salvation because He is IN HIS TEMPLE WILLING and DOING his GOOD PLEASURE.

While we live out our lives as this virtuous body of Christ, we will be honored and recognized by God while we sit in the gates with our Husband.

While we are there, our focus is to be content with the situations the Lord has placed us in because while much of this experience in the flesh is very hard and trying, we ARE HIS WIFE and very few of this worlds human population can accurately make such a bold claim!

Notice when we are told to be content. It is a bit veiled, but I pray Jesus lifts the veil on our hearts and minds concerning this point.

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.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Being the Sons of God is what is PRODCUED by our relationship with our Husband Jesus Christ. You might ask how it is possible to be the FRUIT of the thing that PRODCUES the FRUIT, but this is a spiritual concept and one that is complete none sense to the natural mind.

Sons of God, the fruit, are products of Jesus Christ and the WORK which is done in His virtuous wife. For these things, the virtuous woman is to be praised above all others.

I hope this series has helped us all know and understand a little bit more about just how much our Lord loves us all!