July 3, 2025 -Be a Person of Noble Character

PROVERBS 30:1-31:31

Chronological Bible Readings

^{Proverbs 31:29} “Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

This section of the proverb is titled The Wife of Noble Character, but it applies to everyone I believe. Women and men should strive to live as this woman. This section is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. I would think that would influence what words are used and how it is phrased. But each description can be applied to any woman and even to every man. Many people so noble things but we should strive to surpass them all. Our personality and appearance have no value compared to the value of fearing the Lord. We should recognize those things in others and speak words of encouragement and praise to them and about them. At the same time in living to be this kind of person we need to careful not to allow the praise of others to go to our heads.

^{Proverbs 27:2} Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;

    an outsider, and not your own lips.

It can be difficult to receive a compliment like those of this proverb but there is a way to receive it with grace and humility. We can and should receive the encouragement that it brings without being prideful in it. But I don't think we can do that without the Holy Spirit.

I pray that God will enable me to be a woman of noble character who walks in obedience and fear of the Lord. Help me to be humble and receive the blessing you give though the encouragement of others with grace and humility. |Amen