Just what does a Proverbs 41 guy look like?

You’ve heard of the Proverbs 31 Woman… well, what about the blokes?

You may not have thought about it, but pretty much the whole of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon’s son, teaching him how to become the man who fears the Lord.

That said, it’s possible to sift through the book of Proverbs, and pick out those which particularly deal with the qualities of a good man, so with due care to mention that my tongue is at least partly in my cheek, and I am NOT adding to Holy Writ, here is proverbs 41:

41 Qualities of a Good Man in the Book of Proverbs

An excellent husband who can find?

He is more precious than jewels.

The heart of his wife trusts in him,

and she will have no lack of gain.

He does her good, and not harm,

all the days of his life:

He:

1. Speaks straight – Prov. 2:12 (not perverse speech, 6:12 not crooked speech)
2. Takes pleasure in wisdom, not doing wrong – Prov. 10:23
3. Doesn’t talk people down, or join in when others do – Prov 11:12
4. Is kind – Prov. 11:17
5. Is good and favoured by God – Prov. 12:2
6. Has good sense, and not a twisted mind – Prov. 12:8
7. Is not weighed down by Anxiety, seeks “a good word” – Prov. 12:25
8. Is not a backslider – Prov. 14:14
9. Doesn’t have a quick temper or evil devices – Prov. 14:17
10. Doesn’t have a hot temper – is slow to anger – Prov. 15:18
11. Takes no joy in folly – but is a man on a mission – Prov. 15:21
12. Plots no evil & measures his speech – Prov. 16:27
13. Is honest, and doesn’t gossip – Prov. 16:28
14. Is not violent – Prov. 16:29
15. Has a cool spirit – Prov. 17:27
16. Has a humble heart – Prov. 18:12
17. Is a good friend – not just one of the guys – Prov. 18:24
18. Has steadfast love & truthfulness – Prov. 19:22
19. Keeps aloof from strife / quarreling – Prov. 20:3
20. Is faithful – Prov. 20:6
21. Is not in love with pleasure – Prov. 21:17
22. Considers his own ways, doesn’t fake boldness – Prov. 21:29
23. Doesn’t live off credit – Prov. 22:7
24. Isn’t given to anger or wrathful – Prov. 22:24, 29:22
25. Sees value in developing skill – Prov. 22:29
26. Is wise / knowledgeable – Prov. 24:5
27. Is not a sluggard – but demonstrates diligence & industry Prov. 24:30-34
28. Doesn’t over promise & under-deliver – Prov. 25:14
29. Has self-control – Prov. 25:28
30. Isn’t wise in his own eyes – Prov. 26:12
31. Doesn’t cover his deceit by saying “I was joking” – Prov. 26:18-19
32. Is not quarrelsome – Prov. 26:21
33. Is faithful – Prov. 27:8
34. Survives the test of praise – Prov. 27:21
35. Understands justice – Prov. 28:5
36. Isn’t hasty to get rich – but faithful (in his work) – Prov. 28:20
37. Isn’t stingy – Prov. 28:22
38. Doesn’t rob his parents and say “that is no transgression” – Prov. 28:24
39. Is not hasty in his words – Prov. 29:20
40. Finds unjust men abominable – Prov. 29:27
41. Doesn’t think he’s arrived – Prov. 30:2-3