Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 31:10 (04/13/23)
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TITLE: The Proverbs 31 Man | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
04/19/23 -
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Heads nodded in assent as Pastor Luke finished his Sunday School message on ‘Female purity and expectations.’ He closed his notes with a satisfied ‘thunk’ and looked around the large class. This was his favorite part of church. Oh, preaching from the pulpit was lovely, but being able to discuss scripture with his congregation, now that he liked very much. But there was little to discuss in Proverbs 31; it was pretty cut and dried.
Christina sat silently in the last row, paging through her well-worn Bible. A widow, grandmother of six, and mother to three, she was a fixture in the weekly Sunday School classroom attended by adults of all ages.
“Any questions? Thoughts? Comments?” Pastor Luke paused expectantly.
“Well, where can I find a woman like that? I could do with someone like her!” Josh, a single man, spoke up.
“Church is a good place to start,” Pastor Luke said, then saw a raised hand. “Oh, Christina, you wanted to say something?”
“Don’t you find it odd that every other time God speaks to the church about the role of women and men, He addresses the men first, and generally, sermons cover both sides? But when it comes to Proverbs 31, we only ever hear sermons about the woman.”
“Go on,” Pastor Luke said.
Christina cleared her throat, “What about Proverbs 31, verses 1 through 9?”
“What about them?” Josh interjected.
“Those verses are addressed to the man,” Christina said. “Go on, read it.”
Pastor Luke looked out at the class. “Any volunteers?” Matt, who was sitting next to Josh, opened his Bible and read the pertinent scriptures, his voice slowing down as he read each verse.
“See? God is talking to the man here. And He tells man there are six things he has to do. If he does those six things, chances are he will find that virtuous wife you men all think you deserve. As I used to tell my kids when they were dating, ‘What are you bringing to the table?’ It’s all well and good that you want this amazing woman, but are you following the admonishment of King Lemuel’s mother to her son?”
Matt’s fingers rustling through the pages of his Bible were the only sound in the room. Christina looked around. “I apologize; I do not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I do, however, believe it is important we read the 31st chapter in its entirety and not just parcel out the famous part.”
Pastor Luke stood once more. “Christina, thank you for your insight. We are almost out of time, but the homework for next week is to closely examine Proverbs 31, verses 1 through 9, and prepare some talking points on the man’s responsibility and how his actions directly affect whether he is worthy of a Proverbs 31 woman.”
As Josh and Matt filed out, Pastor Luke overheard Josh say, “Well, guess my heavy drinking days are over….”
Proverbs 31:1-9 (paraphrased) Do not be a womanizer, do not get drunk and make poor decisions, be a man of justice, use your power and authority to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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