A Woman Who Fears the LORD - Proverbs 31:30

In the book of Proverbs Lemuel asked, “Who can find a virtuous woman? … Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all”, and in chapter thirty one and verse thirty of Proverbs King Lemuel said, “favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain” where we read,

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:

but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

The verse begins, “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:” Lemuel began with the words, “favor is deceitful” or “grace, charm and elegance exists as false, deceptive, disappointing and fraudulent”, “and beauty is vain” which means “and stunning visual appearance exists as transitory, unsatisfactory and empty”. Lemuel said charming grace and elegance is deceptive, and stunning appearance is transitory and empty. 

The verse goes on to say, “but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Lemuel continued with the words, “but a woman” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a female human being” “that fears the LORD” which means “who gives reverence, awe and respect to Jehovah who is the existing one and the proper name for the One True God”, “she shall be praised” or “she, the woman who fears the LORD, will exist as commended, glorified and celebrated”. Lemuel said the female human being who gives reverence and awe to Jehovah God will be commended and celebrated. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Lemuel about the truly valuable trait found in a“woman”. Although elegance, charm and stunning appearance may be attractive for a while, they tend to fade over time. However, the lasting and enduring characteristic obtained by a woman is when she has awe and reverence for Jehovah God. God wants us to exalt Him first in our lives, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to have the eternal trait of reverence toward Him and not to rely upon temporary charm and appearance. 

Next time Lemuel says, “give her of the fruit of her hands”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".