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This is a sermon preached on Mother's Day and is based on the text in Proverbs 31:30
Written Excerpts:
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Introduction:
My message is based on the 30th verse of Proverbs 31; particularly the phrase: “…but a woman that fears the Lord, shall be praised.” Notice that this statement is offered in contrast to two other qualities that might describe a woman – favor (charm) and beauty. So God is telling us that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but in direct contrast to those two qualities, a woman who fears God is worthy of receiving praise.
I want to take a moment this morning to look at two main thoughts that come to mind in relation to this text.
I. The world heaps praise upon women for many reasons.
II. The Lord advocates praise for the woman who fears Him.
I. The world heaps praise upon women for many reasons.
I. The world heaps praise upon women for many reasons.
I know that most of you already know this, but let me remind you again this morning that the values of this world and the people of this world are completely contrary to God and His Word. That is why it is so important for all of us to develop a Christian Worldview; in other words, a Christian way of looking at all aspects of life.
What are some of the reasons that women receive praise from those who do not have a biblical view of life?
A. Outward Appearance
I have chosen to mention this first because it is the topic that is highlighted in our text, Proverbs 31:30.
This is an area that has affected all people, men and women, as indicated in God’s words to Samuel the prophet when he went to anoint David the new King of Israel. Samuel was judging the sons of Jesse by their appearance, but the Lord told Samuel:
“…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
The reference to charm and beauty mentioned in our text highlights the outward appearance. These are definitely areas that the media and commercial world constantly bombard us with in order to get us to buy into the standards set by the world.
Charm is deceitful. This gives the idea that charm has the ability to hide what is real and promote that which is fake. The use of the word “deceitful” indicates that we are being tricked into thinking we’re “getting” something we really aren’t.
Now, I’m sure the writer here isn’t saying that there is no value at all in having some charm. Certainly a person that is charming is more pleasant to be around than someone who doesn’t have any charm at all. And the Lord knows that some people could stand to use a little charm now and then!!
But, what the intended message or emphasis seems to be is that a charming personality has the ability to cover up that which is undesirable and to promote an image that isn’t real.
Beauty is vain. The word vain can often be translated or understood as “worthless.” In other words, beauty has no lasting value other than the brief moment of pleasing the eye. It can do nothing to improve character. Beauty alone doesn’t help anyone become a kind, loving or moral person. In fact, many times, it actually hinders the development of good character and moral principles.
In direct contrast to what God says or what God values, our world still promotes and emphasizes outward appearance over many more valuable character traits.
B. Career Accomplishments
Our society praises women for unusual career accomplishments.
Ladies, it is sad to say, but most of you already know that if you want to get the world to notice you and praise you, it will never happen for the strength of character necessary to faithfully fulfill your responsibilities in the home and caring for your children. If you want the recognition and praise of the world, you must find some career and work your way to the top; especially in a field that has been previously dominated by men. Then you will get the applause and praise of the world.
I’ve listened to so many women over the years speak of the pain they feel when it seems that their commitment and sacrifice they have given for their families goes unrecognized and world tends to treat them as if they are not important because they didn’t make their mark in some distinguished career.
These are the things, as well as many others that could be mentioned, for which the world heaps praise upon a woman.
II. The Lord advocates praise for the woman who fears Him.
In stark contrast to these reasons that the world may give praise and honor to a woman, God’s Word says that the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.
A. God is the One to offer praise to the God-fearing woman.
It seems obvious to me that the world is not going to give this woman praise. We’ve already highlighted that fact. So who will? I believe the intended message here is that she will be praised by God Himself. God takes note of the woman whom the world despises because of her piety and devotion.
(K&D) One OT commentary indicates that the proper understanding of the phrase “worthy to be praised” is – “let her be praised.”
This is the attitude of God – i.e. give appreciation and praise to the woman who fears Me and directs her life and actions in a way that honors Me.
B. What does it mean to fear the Lord?
1. It does not usually mean trembling, quaking dread or fear.
There are instances in the Bible where this is evident such as the revelation of fire and smoke at Mt. Sinai
2. It does include a wholesome reverence and respect that is accompanied with awe.
Can be illustrated by people who work with high voltage lines. Even though there is no trembling fear that paralyzes them from doing their job, they know what kind of power it has and what one little mistake can do. So, they diligently follow all proper procedures and protocol in order to help guarantee their safety.
People who fear the Lord are not usually paralyzed in dread, but they understand and respect God’s sovereign power and His holiness.
(ISBE) “…it is more the feeling of reverent regard for their God, tempered with awe and fear of the punishment of disobedience.”
3. The fear of the Lord means that we hate what God hates.
See Prov. 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.”
4. The fear of the Lord is the beginning point of all piety and godliness.
Proverbs 1:7; 9:10 teach us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.
The fear of God is usually the starting point for many people when they establish a relationship with the Lord. They fear His judgment and going to hell. So, it truly is the beginning of knowledge. But, as one continues in the relationship with God, he / she finds that God is not only someone to be feared, but He is one to love and adore and share our burdens and concerns with.
A child may fear the judgment of his father when he knows that he has disobeyed, but as the child becomes an adult, he learns to love and respect the father. He learns that his father can be a friend to confide in and to listen to for counsel.
This is the way in which the fear of God can be the start of a relationship that develops into a strong bond of trust and love.
Conclusion:
Dear friends, let me conclude by simply admonishing each of us to hear the words of this King in the proverb we have studied today.
Ladies, don’t allow the world with its values to deceive you into thinking that charm and beauty and all the other glamour of this world is worth seeking after and chasing after.
Men, let us not allow the standards and values of this world trick us into adopting its measure of greatness or worth. We need to be the ones leading the way in praising our wives and daughters for fearing God and obeying His word rather than striving to measure up to the opinions and standards of the world.
God doesn’t see things the way that we do. Let us seek to have His praise in our lives. Let us purpose to honor that which He honors.
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