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A Study of Proverbs 31
March 16, 2008
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. This chapter wraps up the series of studies on Proverbs. Lemuel's mother gives advice fit for a king. The proverbs then turn to the virtuous woman.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 31
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 03-16-2008
Proverbs 31:1 “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”
Many speculate as to the identity of Lemuel—means devoted to God—but there is no convincing evidence as to who he actually was. Some say Solomon, some say a lesser king. Whoever he was, he was repeating wise sayings that his mother had taught him.
Proverbs 31:2 “What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son
of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth
kings.”
He is her legitimate son, the son of her vows. Her first advice to him is not to allow women to have the upper hand, and to avoid destructive activities and actions.
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.”
Leviticus 10:8 “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,
9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.”
Drinking is an activity that can cloud the mind of a ruler, who also judges the people. Those who lead and those who teach God’s word must remain unimpaired.
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.”
Strong drink should be used to ease the pain of dying or to sedate those who are suffering. Let the poor man drink strong drink to forget his poverty and misery.
Proverbs 31:8”Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are
appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and
needy.”
The king must champion the cause of the helpless, the poor, and the needy.
Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above
rubies.”
After warning against the danger of women, a vital question is asked: “Who can find a virtuous woman?” Not that it is impossible, but rather that it is important. Such a woman is more valuable than rubies—precious gemstones. She is a true treasure!
Proverbs 31:11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that
he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
Her husband justifiably trusts her, and she will not make him poor. She will always be an asset, and never a liability to her husband.
Proverbs 31:13 “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands.”
She obtains wool and flax to make cloth and clothing by her own hands.
Proverbs 31:14 “She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from
afar.”
Like ships bringing exotic cargo from afar, she does the same with her food. This assures her family of variety and nutrition.
Proverbs 31:15 “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to
her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
She is up before daylight, feeding her family and hired help.
Proverbs 31:16 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of
her hands she planteth a vineyard.”
She evaluates a field, buys it, and plants a vineyard on it. She is a business woman.
Proverbs 31:17 “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her
arms.”
She wears strength like a girdle and goes to work with energy. She is industrious.
Proverbs 31:18 “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle
goeth not out by night.”
She understands the value of her goods, and she never grows weary of her tasks.
Proverbs 31:19 “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the
distaff.”
She spins the animal hair fibers into wool or flax into linen. This is necessary for making clothing, drapes, and other household cloth, or to sell at the market.
Proverbs 31:20 “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth
forth her hands to the needy.”
She is compassionate and readily shares with the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:21 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her
household are clothed with scarlet.”
Not only does she provide warm clothing, but it is dyed scarlet, a sign of wealth.
Proverbs 31:22 “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is
silk and purple.”
Her own clothing is expensive, comfortable, and beautiful.
Proverbs 31:23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the
elders of the land.”
Her husband’s reputation among the prominent elders is in large part due to her behavior.
Proverbs 31:24 “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth
girdles unto the merchant.”
She makes high quality linen and girdles to sell to merchants, who resell them.
Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice
in time to come.”
She also clothes herself in strength and honor, thus securing her future.
Proverbs 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the
law of kindness.”
When she speaks, she is both wise and kind. She is an admirable woman.
Proverbs 31:27 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth
not the bread of idleness.”
She wastes no time, and thereby provides for all who live in her house.
Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praiseth her.”
Her children and husband have only good things to say about her, because of the fine mother and wife that she is.
Proverbs 31:29 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them
all.”
Many women have accomplished much, but she more than all of them.
Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that
feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Charm can be deceiving and beauty is empty, because it fades. However, a woman who serves the Lord in fear is worthy of praise.
Proverbs 31:31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates.”
Her reward is the labor of her hands, and her accomplishments are praised in public.
The woman of Proverbs 31 is the opposite of the women that we have talked about earlier in our Proverbs studies. Earlier, we heard warnings against obnoxious women, and women who nag and complain constantly. We also studied about women who wasted their husbands’ inheritances.
By contrast, this desirable woman is industrious; cares not only how to clothe and feed her children and husband , but wants them to look successful; and supports her husband in such a way that he gains a good public reputation. In return, her children and husband brag on her in public, so that she has a good reputation by virtue of their praise.
