June 14, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
The author of Proverbs 31 is identified as King Lemuel. We do not know who this king was, but his words reveal a great respect and appreciation for his mother and his wife. While he receives the wisdom his mother taught him, and admires the character of his wife, the qualities cited can be characteristics seen in anyperson seeking the heart of God. This means that the example of the “Proverbs 31 woman” is one that you should seek to put into practice too men!
The king’s mother gave him three things to practice. First, she warned him against using his authority and power to engage in immorality or to seek the demise of other kings. Secondly, she warned him of the dangers of drunkenness and the inherent risks of trying to rule under the influence of strong drink and the harm and suffering he could cause. Thirdly, she urged him to always come to the aid of those who are suffering or oppressed.
The king praises his wife and her noble character. He considers her to be a virtuous woman of excellence who has his heart and deepest trust. She is wise, discreet, industrious, supportive of her husband and cares deeply about his good reputation. She not only rises early to serve her husband and family, but also those who attend to her needs. She has a healthy self-respect and is admired by those who know her. Every day she models a life worthy of imitation!
Proverbs 31
The Words of King Lemuel
31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- Do you find the king’s mother’s instructions apply to your life in any way? Do you see any of the character qualities of the king’s wife in your life? What areas of your life do you still need to submit to God?
Dear Heavenly Father,
There is nothing more pleasing to me than to see a husband and wife show respect for one another. This sends such a powerful message to their children and others. This respect is then carried on throughout their lives. When you do what is right before God, you can hold your head up in any situation. Thank you, Lord, for giving us the role model and the instructions we should follow. Help us to always conduct ourselves with dignity and strength and never put ourselves in compromising situations. An honoarable person is greatly to be admired. Teach us to always act in a way that is pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’name. Amen.
Amen to your prayer. Dear Lord please make me the person you want me to be. Help keep me away from compromised situations. Help me to have the knowledge to help those in need. Teach me to be honorable to live the word of God. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
All Praise to the Creator. May all the earth praise your name. Bless us Father, as you see our need. Enlarge our influence beyond our imagination to protect the defenseless; to speak to those who do not know your Son; to speak out against lawlessness and sinfulness. Through my words and actions may the hopeless be encouraged. Without your Holy Spirit I can do nothing, so please Father, fill me anew and afresh this day. I fear Your wrath. Enable me to see evil and to run from it and to warn others of the danger. Now, I pause to listen for your still voice. I love you Father. I love your Son, Jesus. Amen
Lord Jesus,
I thank you for reminding us that we need to seek Your wisdom and guidance in our lives, that our lives and decisions should bring glory and honor to You.
Remind rulers and leaders that You have given them power and strength to be used wisely, and not for them to abuse or use selfishly
“….Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy….”
And remind women to honor, respect and love the Lord, to be examples to follow
“….Strength and dignity are her clothing,(character)
and she laughs at the time to come.(is prepared)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue….”
Oh Lord, help us to be men and women who love and obey you, and are willing to love others.
Amen
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Lord, help me diligent today, to not just do what needs to be done today by providing, but to plan and prepare for the future.
Dear Lord, Thank You for this day! I do see my self in the mother and wife in I some fashion, but sadly lacking in many ways. I want to resemble these amazing women. I want to be respected and loved by my husband and son’s, be a provider, educator, and serve others who are suffering and are in need. Enable me to be who You want me to give You honor and they may see You in me. In Jesus name
Dear Lord, Thank you for a good night’s rest & a beautiful day today. Thank you that my family is able to all be together today for the first time in 6 months. Lead me, guide me, protect me & my family today. Please bless me as you do every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen
As verse 30 says, “a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Lord, I put everything in your hands today; my family, my health, my home, my security and my fears. Thank You for carrying our burdens. AMEN
thank you for the blog how true it is
A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised!!
Jewish legend identifies Lemuel as Solomon, here taking advice from his mother Bathsheba, but there is no clear evidence for that.
The name Lemuel means “belonging to God” in Hebrew. Because he is identified as “King” we can assume that Lemuel ruled over something or someone, but we don’t know if it was Israel or Judah or any other province. Lemuel is not found in any listing of the kings of Israel, particularly during the time of the writing of Proverbs. That seems to add credence to the idea that Lemuel is another name for King Solomon.
If Lemuel is indeed Solomon, and considering that Solomon had numerous wives and concubines, it is fitting that his mother would give him advice about women and how to find a virtuous wife. Verses 10-31 of the proverb list the attributes and character qualities of the kind of wife who would be an asset to any man, but especially to a king who needs wisdom in the choice of one who would influence him.
If the mother in this proverb is Bathsheba, she had first-hand knowledge of the danger multiple wives can be for a ruler. First Kings 11 describes the sad result of Solomon ignoring his mother’s advice. Despite God’s warnings not to take wives from foreign nations, Solomon did exactly that and his wives turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1-13).