Proverbs 31:26. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
This last section of Proverbs is a description of the excellent woman. But remember, the description here isn’t only that of a literal woman, but of wisdom in general. Anyone can be the things described in Proverbs 31 if they are wise. And together, as the Bride of Christ, the church can be these things corporately. We are the excellent wife of Jesus.
The excellent woman (the church) is called to be the perfect blend of word and deed, of character and choices. We’ve already seen her wise and kind choices displayed in her giving to the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:20. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
So when she teaches kindness she is no hypocrite. Her actions have already matched her words. Hopefully, we can all say the same about our own lives and the life of our church. Do we teach kindness? Do we practice kindness? It may sound like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised how many unkind Christians are walking around out there (or maybe you wouldn’t be surprised).
This verse gets even weightier when we consider the word translated as kindness here is the Hebrews word hesed. Hesed is the covenant, loyal love of God. Usually this word is translated as steadfast love. God’s unconditional, never changing, ever faithful, grace, compassion, and mercy. The excellent woman isn’t simply teaching her children and others to be nice, she is teaching the most important of theological truths about God and us – we can participate in the covenant love of God. The love that makes God, God.
It is the hesed of God that sent his son, Jesus to save us.
1 John 4:10: In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
It is the hesed of God that died for us on the cross.
Romans 5:8. but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
It is the hesed of God that motivates our repentance.
Romans 2:4.God ‘s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.
It is the hesed of God that now is alive in us by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is…kindness.
It is the hesed of God that we can now demonstrate toward one another.
Ephesians 4:32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
God’s wisdom in Christ is kindness. And this kindness is alive in you if Christ is alive in you. Do you believe this? Do you teach it? Do you live it out? Are you kind? Never forget the kindness you have received and are receiving in Christ. Then, let his kindness flow through you toward others by faith.
You: Are you kind? Do you teach kindness? Do your words and actions align?
You in Christ: In what ways are you experiencing the kindness (covenant love) of God in Christ?
Christ in you: In what way can you actively spread kindness today?
Pray: Father, your kindness saved and saves me. Help me to both preach and practice kindness by the power of your grace. Amen.
To Live is Christ 