January 31 has arrived suddenly. And thus ends the 31 days of a chapter of Proverbs a day.
This collection of sayings ends with “The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him.”
Among the wisdom of the mother, “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The ending is an acrostic poem—Ode to a Capable Wife. Among her many good works, “She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Further, “ Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”
And again, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
Does the Bible teach that women should be subjugated? I think not.
Proverbs teaches us to be industrious and not lazy. We should reach out and be helpful to the poor and those without a voice in the government (Proverbs would say city gate or assembly). Further, our hearts must be aligned with God.
After many years of reading through this wisdom literature for a month, am I wiser? You cannot tell by what I know but by how I act. And the same with you. Are we acting a bit kinder? More aware of the needs of others? More aware of the things in life that can trap us into slipping? Greet people with a smile. Really listen. Help where you can.
Faith Venture 
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