Proverbs 31:20 | Bible Study | Open Hands

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Introduction: Proverbs 31:20 | Give Hope

Welcome to our Bible study let’s explore Proverbs 31:20 together!

I am glad you are meeting me AT FORESTS EDGE, where women can study the word of God together and encourage one another while we walk out our faith, embrace womanhood, and live fearlessly.

In this study of Proverbs 31, we will look at the twentieth verse in context. I have broken the chapter up into mini-studies so that busy women like myself can take in the information in just a few minutes each day. 

If you have more time then feel free to continue to the next section whenever you are ready.

This study is perfect for a personal bible study or a women’s small group.

New here? The Proverbs 31 overview sets the stage for the context of the chapter, otherwise, let’s jump right into Proverbs 31:20! 

Proverbs 31:20

“She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”

Proverbs 31:20 NKJV

Strong’s Definitions of Proverbs 31:20:

stretches out- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H3601)פָּרַשׂ pâras, paw-ras’; a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:—break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out).

hand/palm- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H3709)כַּף kaph, kaf; from H3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power:—branch, foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.

poor–

 (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible H6041)עָנִי ʻânîy, aw-nee’; from H6031; (practically the same as H6035, although the margin constantly disputes this, making H6035 subjective and objective); depressed, in mind or circumstances:—afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor.

reaches-

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H7971)שָׁלַח shâlach, shaw-lakh’; a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications):—× any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, × earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).

hand- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H3027)יָד yâd, yawd; a primitive word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote.

needy- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible H34)אֶבְיוֹן ʼebyôwn, eb-yone’; from H14, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute:—beggar, needy, poor (man).

Proverbs 31:20 Definitions from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:

HAND, 

noun [Latin hendo, in prehendo.]

1. In man, the extremity of the arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, connected with the arm at the wrist; the part with which we hold and use any instrument.

POOR, 

adjective [Latin pauper.]

1. Wholly destitute of property, or not having property sufficient for a comfortable subsistence; needy. It is often synonymous with indigent, and with necessitous, denoting extreme want; it is also applied to persons who are not entirely destitute of property, but are not rich; as a poor man or woman; poor people

NEEDY, 

adjective Necessitous; indigent; very poor; distressed by want of the means of living.

To relieve the needy and comfort the afflicted, are duties that fall in our way every day.

Summary of Proverbs 31:20

She reaches out and finds those in various forms of need and gives them all she is able to, with open hands.

My notes from Proverbs 31:20

Examples of Generosity

As children, we are taught to share with others. “Sharing is caring.” Some people are better at sharing than others. Whether we are Christians or not a moral code is written on our hearts from our Father in heaven that we should help those in need.

I have had the opportunity to witness great generosity in this world. From young adults who buy a whole bunch of amazing toys and drop them off at the toy collection bin around Christmas. To people volunteering to provide meals and food boxes to families in need.

The Cold, Icey Wave of Culture

We already know that it is better to give than to receive. Yet this world grows cold and more and more individuals are choosing to live a life that focuses on themself over others.

The only way to combat the wave of this culture is to actively swim against the current. Sure, it’s easier to go with the flow and let the current take you where it will. However, the extreme difficulty of swimming against the current proves to be far worth it when you finally have your feet planted on the shore.

Whenever I see darkness filling the hearts of our people I choose to keep my feet planted firmly in the light. When hatred abounds, instead of hating I choose to love. Every person on this earth has gone through some sort of hardship or struggle. We have to have compassion for the broken.

Free Will, Our Choices Matter

Some people are hardened by circumstance, and sure that could be a reason why they choose to act in ways that hurt those around them, but the truth is, it’s still a choice.

I know those who have been abused since early childhood, not even acknowledged by name. Treated like they weren’t human and worse. Yet they grew up and chose to love others. They use kind words. They encourage those who feel downtrodden because they know what it feels like to be nothing and don’t want others to believe those lies.

On the other end, there are those who faced much less. They were angry about sharing attention. So they view themselves as most important and treat other people with disrespect and manipulation. They do whatever it takes to get the outcome they feel they deserve, the end outways the means.

No matter what happens to us in our lives, good or bad, we have a choice on who we become and how we treat other human beings. We all come from the same creator, made in the image of God! Every human life is precious! There is no us or them and anyone perpetuating division is not considering that truth but is self-decieved.

Proverbs 31 Woman Grace and Humility

The Proverbs 31 Woman is the perfect example of the attitude we should have towards others. She is generous and humble. She works hard and doesn’t stop there. She puts forth the effort to find those in need, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. She is not holding on too tightly to her possessions but gives freely spreading her resources to others. Her open hand is a physical expression of her open heart. 

We know Bathsheba had a difficult situation. She was taken from her husband. Used. Widowed. Then lost her first baby. As a young girl most likely a teenager, she had already faced much loss and emotional pain. Yet her example was to care for others. To give them what she could. To teach her son Solomon to care for the poor and needy. To be a voice for the voiceless. To be a true leader.

If Bathsheba could be faithful to God despite her circumstances. We can choose to be faithful as well.

Jesus’s Last Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

The 10 Commandments Summarized

Love God. Love others.

If you are doing these 2 things, you are not breaking the commandments. This should be the motto of all of our lives.

When we feed, clothe, and befriend those in great need we are living in a way that blesses others but ultimately we receive a blessing. 

When we give up our pride, humble ourselves, give our troubles to God, and pray for those who hurt us, we can sleep in peace because we trust God. 

When we know He is caring for us, the weight of this world lifts. It is not our job to figure everything out. We can choose to give it to God and not be twisted by a root of bitterness.

Romans 12:20

20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 25:35-40

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Oh the Ways We Can Give

1. Become a foster family or provide respite.
2. Operation Christmas Child.
3. Donate food.
4. Volunteer. 
5. Mentor someone.
6. Donate to DV Women’s shelters and homeless shelters.
7. Donate to pregnancy resource centers.
8. There are many opportunities to give farm animals to people in desperate need of food and money.
9. If you see a need that you can fill, fill it.

Simple Truths from Proverbs 31:20

1. Sometimes showing others they are loved is everything they need.
2. We can choose who we become.
3. This is yet another example of how a humble heart is truly beautiful.

Questions to Ponder from Proverbs 31:20:

1. How can you open your hands and stretch them out?
2. Is there a problem you need to give to God?
3. What are the greatest commandments and how can you make them your motto?

As we wrap up this leg of our journey AT FORESTS EDGE, remember that every step brings us closer to a stronger, more vibrant faith. Let’s keep growing hope together!

I hope this in-depth women’s bible study of Proverbs 31:20 is a blessing to you. 

I’d love to know if you have gained insight from the study. 

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior you can find out more about salvation.

Go on to the next study, Proverbs 31:21. You can go back and read Proverbs 31:19 or feel free to check out my favorite bible study tools.

I’d love for you to be my companion in this journey, join my newsletter, and let’s walk this journey together as we GROW HOPE!

Until we meet again,

Raeanna