My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭10‬-‭12‬, ‭15‬, ‭17‬-‭18‬, ‭20‬, ‭23‬, ‭25‬-‭27‬, ‭30‬-‭31‬
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I had the impression that it is important to now write about how we are to actually live our callings out in life. I think Proverbs does a good job giving us a launching pad to start from, though a thorough study of the Bible is important to maintain in order to get the whole picture of how to live a God-honoring life.

Proverbs was written by King Solomon, who was the only person I am aware of to be granted the gift of godly wisdom. Most of the time this is gained through study of God’s Word, prayer and obedience. The book starts with Solomon speaking to his son. He tells him to pursue understanding and receive his instructions well. This is, in essence, an appeal for his son to be wise. This is key for men to lead well, they must be humble and seek after understanding and take good instruction well. These virtues enable men to love their wives well and stay faithful to them.

Understanding others or a situation can be difficult, as it requires pause and careful reflection. However, I have found that this is also so important for me to get the proper perspective before acting.

Love and faithfulness are to be so focused on and devoted to in living our lives, that they are to be bound around our hearts. We are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and in all our ways submit to him. So, just like wives are to submit to their husbands, husbands are to submit to the Lord. Submission is also a command for men. We must submit to God and his Spirit’s work on our hearts and in our lives.

As we submit to the Lord he will at times convict us of sin. I confessed some sin to my wife just today as a direct result of this call on my heart from God’s Spirit. It was hard, but obedience is not always easy. And the closeness we gain to the Lord after we repent of sin is so worth it.

Men are called not to be greedy but to honor God with our first fruits. Blessings will result. And finally to not reject God’s rebukes or corrections. We are to embrace these. For he only takes the time, emotional energy, and the risk of rejection to discipline those he loves. He cares for us whether or not we are righteous. And he will risk everything, even our rejection for a time, to call us to live in the right way in life. He wants us not just to survive, but to thrive!

Now for wives, the instructions are given in commands and examples here in Proverbs 31. I picked a few verses out. She is to bring her husband good and not harm. Her husband is respected at the city gate. This is difficult, at times, when it seems that her husband is not loving her well. How does she gain the perspective to deal with her husband in a loving and submissive manner in difficult situations like this? While I don’t have direct experience here, I know by reading God’s word that this is only through the power of a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.

A wife is to be conscientious and work hard for the benefit of her family. She is strong in her work and looks for ways to augment the family income. This can be very difficult, with managing the household and helping raise the kids. She is clothed with strength and dignity; wisdom and knowledge flow from her tongue. She manages the affairs of her household with grace and effectiveness. And finally she fears the Lord. This speaks to her impact in the community as a Godly leader and example of what it looks like to thrive in her God-given roles. She is a person sought after for her wisdom and understanding.

The godly wife and godly husband ideals that are held up here are ones to strive for, not to feel guilty about not perfectly attaining all the time.

I find it interesting that the Fear of the Lord is primary and connected in both of these passages. It all starts there. We must trust God’s plan, his Word, and his Spirit's promptings as we live. When we allow the challenges or struggles of life to get us down and keep us down, then our fear of the Lord suffers.

Lord, as men, as we seek to honor you, help us to receive your insight, wisdom, and counsel. May our hearts be open to rebuke and correction. And may we lead lives of self-sacrifice as Jesus led the Church. And for women, help them to fear you and your calling for them and the order you set up in the family. May they speak with wisdom and understanding and seek to help their husbands, as you designed, create a healthy and rock-solid family and marriage. You, Father God, are always the one we serve and honor with our work and mindsets.