Welcome to our Tracking the Proverbs 31 Woman devotional series!
Before diving in, I encourage you to read the Introduction to this series for a foundational understanding. You can find it here.
Let’s begin our study with the very first verse of Proverbs 31:
“The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” (Proverbs 31:1, KJV)
Understanding the Proverbs 31 Woman: Origins and Meaning
To fully grasp the wisdom of Proverbs 31, it is essential to understand its origins. This renowned chapter describes a virtuous woman, particularly from verse 10 to the end.
Before we delve into those qualities, let’s first explore the source of this wisdom—the queen mother of King Lemuel.
Who Was King Lemuel?
The identity of King Lemuel remains uncertain. Scholars speculate that he might have been King Solomon or King Hezekiah.
While we may not know for sure, we do know that these kings were human, with weaknesses like all of us.
Despite their imperfections, God chose them to record divine wisdom.
What stands out is that Proverbs 31 is not directly written by the king himself—it is wisdom imparted by his mother.
If Lemuel was Solomon, his mother would have been Bathsheba, a woman who must have known what repentance, forgiveness, redemption, and God’s mercy looked like considering the events around her marriage to king David.
Regardless of her identity, we know this queen mother was a godly woman—one who knew Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Her wisdom, experience, and faith allowed her to guide her son, providing a legacy of divine instruction that continues to shape women today.
The Role of the Queen Mother: 5 Key Insights
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She Was a Woman of Experience
This queen mother was not only a woman but also a wife and mother—possibly even a widow.
In Israelite culture, kings often rose to power after their father’s death. Her experiences in these roles granted her moral authority to instruct her son.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, many young people look to social media trends and peers rather than seasoned, godly wisdom.
A biblical example of misguided counsel is found in 1 Kings 12:1-20, where King Rehoboam ignored the advice of his father’s advisors and lost a significant portion of his kingdom.
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She Understood Royalty and Its Responsibilities
Being a queen mother, she understood the demands of royalty. She knew the qualities required for a woman to stand beside a king.
This wisdom is not just for ancient times but applies to us today.
As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, we are a royal priesthood in Christ. As daughters of the King of Kings, we must live with an awareness of our spiritual royalty—representing God’s kingdom in all we do.
We can’t afford to live carelessly thereby dishonoring our God. For instance, our thoughts, words and actions towards the opposite sex must be with purity, integrity, and respect.
We must aim to honor and glorify God in all we do.
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She Had a Strong Relationship with God
The depth of her wisdom indicates she was a God-fearing woman.
She recognized that the virtues described in Proverbs 31 were not achievable through human strength alone but through faith in God.
Without Him, these qualities remain out of reach.
No wonder she asked: “A wife of noble character, who can find?” (Prov. 31:10)
This reveals she was keenly aware that this woman was rare because she knew that the secret to becoming a virtuous woman was to surrender herself to God and “hide” in Him so he could work on her. We will expound this in a future post.
Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” This applies to our growth in godly character. A Proverbs 31 woman is not self-made—she is God-shaped.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (Prov.31:30)
A woman who utters these words has a deep relationship with God.
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She Commanded Respect and Influence
King Lemuel not only listened to his mother’s words but found them so valuable that he documented them for future generations.
This tells us that his mother was a woman of credibility and consistency.
Today, we need women who will speak with authority, seasoned by God’s grace. Women who will mentor, guide, and impact younger generations, ensuring that their words and wisdom leave a lasting legacy.
Thankfully, God has not left himself without a witness and a remnant. Such women exist in the church today. They may not be many but they are there.
Perhaps as a younger woman reading this, you’re wondering how to find such a mentor.
When I was a young woman, I trusted God and he led me to such a woman; a woman whose counsel and ministry over my life shaped me into the woman I am today as I continue to look to God to work in me, transforming me.
I believe God will hear your prayer for a woman who can mentor you, pouring her wisdom and knowledge into your life, helping you to be the woman God has called you to be.
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She Invested in Future Generations
Closely related to the point above is that her wisdom continues to resonate because she chose to invest in her son’s spiritual and personal growth.
Proverbs 31 is a legacy that has influenced women for centuries.
We, too, must think generationally—understanding that our words, actions, and teachings will impact those who come after us.
As 1 Timothy 4:16 instructs, we must watch our lives and doctrine closely for the sake of both ourselves and our hearers.
We will talk more on legacy in a coming post too. Keep in mind though that you and I must live with legacy and eternity in mind.
This will shape what we do, how we act, and what we say. We will be careful to ensure that all we do aligns with God’s will and purpose.
This also means being intentional about investing in the younger generation and living our lives in such a way that we will live memoirs and clues that will point future generations to God.
Applying Proverbs 31 to Our Lives Today
Living with a Legacy Mindset
Regardless of our past, we can start fresh, dedicating our lives to godly womanhood.
Like the Proverbs 31 queen mother, we can influence not just our own families but entire communities.
Are you willing to be a woman whose wisdom shapes generations?
Here Are Steps to Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman:
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Commit to God:
Surrender every area of your life to Him.
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Pursue Wisdom:
Read and study God’s Word consistently. God’s Word will not only transform you, but you will also radiate wisdom from God when you make reading and studying God’s Word and prayer your way of life.
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Seek Godly Counsel:
Surround yourself with wise, mature believers who, like the queen mother, will guide you into God’s purpose and will.
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Lead by Example:
Live out the virtues of Proverbs 31 in your daily life. This is what Tracking the Proverbs 31 Woman Series is about.
This series is aimed at helping you become the woman God is making you to be.
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Pass It On:
Invest in younger women, guiding them in their walk with Christ.
Nothing will challenge you towards being the woman God intended you to be than knowing He is using you to impact another woman unto godliness.
When I remember there’s a woman I’m mentoring who is looking up to me to disciple her, I constantly turn to God in humility, crying out to him to not only work in me but to also use me effectively to walk with her and to point her to Him.
This has worked to stretch me to grow as I become the woman God is making me to be.
A Prayer for Women Seeking God’s Formation
“Dear God, I need You. Apart from Jesus Christ, I can do nothing. I surrender my life to You—every area, including the ones I have held back. Mold me and shape me into the woman You have called me to be. Let my life be a testimony to Your grace, wisdom, and transforming power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Conclusion: Walking in the Footsteps of the Proverbs 31 Woman
The journey to becoming a Proverbs 31 woman is one of faith, wisdom, and intentionality. It begins with surrendering to God and allowing Him to shape our character.
Just like King Lemuel’s mother, we have the power to influence generations with our words and actions.
Let’s embrace this God-given calling and walk forward in faith, knowing that our lives, teachings, and testimonies can leave a lasting impact for His glory.
Share this message with others and let’s continue this transformative journey together!
You can find the next post in this series here.
You’re welcome to purchase a copy of our book based on Proverbs 31 here.
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