Introduction to Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31
Living Unafraid

Proverbs 31: 21 says, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: all her household are clothed with scarlet.” She is not afraid of the harshness of winter, along with its hardships. In the Middle East, the place of this writing, snow was uncommon and could be disastrous for those unprepared. The woman of Proverbs 31 did not fear unforeseen adversity considering she had prepared by covering her household with scarlet. In scripture, scarlet symbolizes the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus that cleanses from sin. We can face the future prepared and unafraid with the covering of Jesus’ blood.
This passage gives in detail the expression of the woman who is wise in all her dealings and who has laid the foundation for all wisdom… receiving Wisdom in the person of Jesus. See Proverbs chapter eight.
We could make the case, then, that the expressions of the woman in Proverbs 31 sufficiently emulate Christ concerning a woman’s responsibilities. So, we could pull that old overused and misused euphemism, “What would Jesus do?” out of the closet, dust it off and with fresh understanding, enact it, knowing that by doing so, we are assuring, for us and those of our household, a bright future with no fear of the unknown and the what-ifs!
For your study you should know that Proverbs 31 is divided into two parts. Verses one through nine are the prophecies or teachings, of King Lemuel’s mother. There is a dispute as to the identity of King Lemuel. There was no Israelite king named Lemuel. Many scholars think that this king was from another eastern culture. Most scholars seem to think that King Lemuel, which means ‘unto God’, is simply another name for King Solomon.
As far as the translation, for the most part, I will be using the People’s Parallel Edition Bible which is the New Living Translation paralleled with the King James Version. You will also need a journal or notebook to record your thoughts, prayers, and conversations with the Father.
The second part of Proverbs 31 begins with verse 10 and is actually a Hebrew acrostic with the first line of each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Some theologians think these verses are from a different source and different age than the previous verses. But others disagree and believe it to be from the same source. This is a good reason to do a little research yourself and come to you own conclusion!
This devotion, like the last one, “A Great Company: A Prayer Journey through Psalms 68”, is meant to be done in somewhat of the lectio divina style: taking in to ourselves small passages of scripture by first reading over the scripture several times, including an audible reading; then, meditating on the scripture making note of words or questions that the Holy Spirit highlights to you; thirdly, praying the scripture along with the needs this scripture illuminates; lastly, contemplating or reflecting on what you hear with your spiritual ears and also by writing in your journal your thoughts and responses to what you hear. I find that sometimes, I don’t hear the answer immediately. But as I give that question to the Lord and wait, it comes. Sometimes, it will come in a few minutes, in a few days or longer, but it will come. This particular way of communion with God, through His Word and prayer, allows His Word to actually become part of us. It can be compared to eating. We take a bite (read), we savor the taste (meditate), we swallow (pray), and finally we digest (contemplate). Our body then receives all the nutrients available and it becomes an authentic part of us.
Another aspect of this lectio divina style is to devote a certain time of day and a certain place to commune with God. I am suggesting Tuesday morning during the fourth watch which is anytime between three and six a.m. The fourth watch has special scriptural significance. It is said to be the time for divine judgment and deliverance. Jacob’s wrestling with the Angel of the Lord occurred during the fourth watch, Israel was released from Egypt during the fourth watch. It was probably during the fourth watch that Gideon pulled down the altars of idol worship in Judges 6:27. According to Job 38:12, it “bring(s) an end to the night’s wickedness” and during the fourth watch is when Jesus came to his disciples walking on the water to save them from the storm. In fact, according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible the root for the word “deep” in Luke 5:4, when Jesus told Peter to “launch out into the deep” can be traced to the root meaning of “very early.”
Another significant reason for this early morning hour is due to an unusual dream I had several years ago. Several months prior to the dream, I felt the Holy Spirit dealing with me to rise up early, before daybreak to be with the Lord. I was hit and miss. One particular morning, I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. I dreamed that I had done just that, turned the alarm off and went back to sleep. In my dream, when I awoke, I was lamenting to my husband about my failure to get up earlier. He responded, “Well, you know what Leonard Ravenhill says, don’t you? ‘What are you doing again speaking to the daylight?’”
When I awoke from the dream, I knew the dream was significant because, first of all, Ravenhill’s comment was not stated in my normal vernacular. Secondly, I knew Ravenhill was a 20th century prophet for prayer and for revival. I sensed the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me something.

“What are you doing again speaking to the daylight?” As women, we are physically made to conceive, contain, carry, and bring forth life. Life, inside us, is formed in darkness (Psalm 139:15). We speak to things that are not yet formed. Even so, in the Spirit realm, we are to speak to things that are yet unseen, things that are yet in the darkness. We need not spend our time complaining, worrying, and lamenting over what is seen in the daylight, let us give ourselves to speaking to the darkness. In Genesis 1: 2, God spoke to the darkness and said, “Let there be light, and there was light.”
We are to speak to the darkness before the daylight is formed.

Therefore, I am suggesting this be a once a week, predawn prayer devotion. I have chosen Tuesdays, anytime during the fourth watch, between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. You will personally choose the amount of time you will devote each Tuesday. Some days you may spend only a few minutes, while other mornings, longer. Try not to be rigid, but fluid. It makes this God journey so much more enjoyable! And just know that every Tuesday morning there are many other women along side you, all part of “A Great Company,” changing their world! I would love to add your name to the enlistment so email me at sandra.saylor@yahoo.com. You can also join “A Great Company” on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=233014019961. Or, www.sandrasaylor.blogspot.com