Proverbs

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Proverbs Chapter 31

 

  • Proverbs 31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 

Many commentators are of the opinion that Lemuel is Solomon. The meaning is "for God" or devoted to God. I would rather not add to scripture by making the assumption that this is Solomon. Why can't we assume it is an unknown person and just accept the words of wisdom that he penned or his mother penned for us to read. God knows who he was so I'll leave that in His hands. 

  • Proverbs 31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 

Verse 2 may indicate that this son is a first born and a legitimate son .

  • Proverbs 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 

We can assume here that he is not speaking of a godly woman but one who is ungodly and deceptive sort of like Jezebel. Jezebel surely was a woman that was out to destroy kings as she did King Ahab. Ahab may have not been so bad if he would have married a godly wife described in this chapter a few verses down. 

  • Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 
  • 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 

This should apply to judges, kings, presidents or any that have to make decisions that could result in the hurt of innocent people if his judgment is influenced by strong drink. This instruction from his mother makes it seem as she is speaking to Solomon which is where many might assume it is Solomon. On the subject of strong drink though, I for one believe it is safer to not drink any strong drink for the simple reason is we all need to be in control of our own behavior else we have to live with the results of things we may have done under the influence of alcohol. How many lives would have been spared if a drunk driver had not have been driving under the influence of alcohol?

  • Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 
  • 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 

Those ready to die and that are in pain on their death beds are the ones that can be given to drugs and strong drink so that they suffer less. The only thing that I would object to here is that it is almost impossible to communicate with those that are full of drugs when they are close to death. I couldn't communicate with my husband during his final hours. While I wouldn't want him to suffer, I will always wonder what he would have said to me. There are some cases also where the drugs may eventually kill the person quicker than the disease that perhaps they may have recovered from. I don't know. In saying that though we really hate to see someone suffer with pain. 

  • Proverbs 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 

We must stand up for and speak for those that can't do it themselves either because they can't speak or they are mentally challenged in some way. 

  • Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 

I run into those that are judgmental all the time and have to take care not to be that way myself. We are to judge but by the word and by righteousness. When I say by the word of course I mean the proper application of the word and not taking verses out of context and throwing them at people as a club of condemnation. 

While we are to work for a living and not be slothful or lazy, I see many in this day and age that are so tired of high taxes, they also get caught up in politics so much so that the compassion for the poor is dwindling among those that believe in the Lord. We need to watch this and put up our guard against a wrong judgmental spirit and not lose compassion on the real needy. 

  • Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

Here is someone faithful to her commitment that she makes to her husband and to God. When one breaks a marriage vow, they are also breaking a vow to God for He is the one that created marriage and meant for it to be for a lifetime. God hates divorce. What God has made, man is not to unmake. However, we can't force someone to be faithful. I am not held accountable for what my spouse does but must be faithful myself in all I know to do. Virtuous is someone faithful to her own spouse. She is not a harlot. She is not out to attract other men. 

  • Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 

Spoiling is not just destroying goods or taking away someone else's goods but we can spoil a household by breaking it up like when one leaves his or her family and forsakes the responsibility and commitment that was made when they married their spouses and began to have children. We now are not only responsible to our spouses but to our children and it is our duty before God also. The way we can spoil and destroy this is by being unfaithful in our commitment to them. A virtuous woman is one her husband can trust to be faithful to him, to God and to her children. 

  • Proverbs 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 
  • 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 
  • 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 
  • 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 
  • 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 
  • 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 
  • 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 
  • 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 

This woman represents a virtuous woman in that day and time. In today's world she may do different things. To be virtuous means to be faithful to her husband so that he can trust her and take care of the children and household with diligence. Although sewing, baking and such may be part of it, it doesn't have to be that type of thing to be virtuous. It mostly involves purity and faithfulness. In other words, its a matter of the inner person and not necessarily works of labor. A virtuous woman can be someone who is in a wheelchair and can't do all the things listed above. Usually what is in the inner person will reflect good works though. One can't say they love God and love His word and also believe and do not what His word says.

  • Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 

We are never going to change the world for the better by electing the right people, it will take revival and a genuine move of the Holy Spirit. While it is important to vote and choose the right candidates, to trust solely in that to heal our nation will not work. We are too far gone to think electing the right person is going to be the answer. In saying this though, it is important to vote for people who stand for righteousness.

  • Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 

A virtuous woman will never neglect her children and will make sure her household has their needs met as much as possible it is for her in the financial situation she may be in. 

  • Proverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 
  • 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

A woman that is virtuous makes her husband look good to those that are in positions of authority. Sitting at the gates and among the elders was an honor similar to being on the city council or having a position of authority in the government. It is very important for them to have wives of virtue. The same would be true if the woman is in a position of authority. Her husband's actions would reflect on her character as well. 

  • Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 
  • 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 
  • 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 
  • 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 

I would guess that in today's world, a virtuous woman would not neglect her household to sit and watch soap operas all day. I like the thought of a woman being home with her children rather than hire babysitters but sometimes circumstances make this impossible. However, a man making the living and a woman caring for the household and being there for the children is the best way to bring them up in the knowledge of God.

This may be why we have a lot of troubled kids because the proper order is not followed. Either the dad is absent or the mom is not faithful in her calling to her children. If a woman has to work, it is a blessing if she happens to have a godly mother who can help with the children instead of hiring strangers. However, grandma has already had her turn at raising kids so in some cases that may if she is in bad health, this may not work out. 

  • Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 
  • 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 
  • 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 
  • 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 

The sum of all is that a virtuous woman will fear the Lord and want to share this with her children both by teaching and by example. This is better than outward beauty. For a man to be deceived by looking for only outward beauty when picking a wife, may find himself full of heartache. -Dorna

 

 
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