By In this Women’s Month, anyone can have chances to make praises to this special person in their lives. Sadly there are those who are not into it for unique personal reasons. Many are trapped to a relationship which was caused by wrong choice of a woman or even man. It might also be that women are not oriented with what a virtuous woman they should become and so they could aim for it. Haven’t you wonder what’s this Christian virtues which this world’s matron could hardly possess? How could one be a wifely excellent which is seldom to be found now a days among the daughters of Eve, and not often among the sons of Adam? Are you searching for this woman? Are you willing to be the Proverbs 31 woman?
Wisdom from King Lemuel and his mother: Proverbs 31
V.1 “The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him”.
The book of Proverbs 31 was an utterance made by a loving mother to her beloved son. There is no any recorded list of king Lemuel as the kings of Judah or Israel, so he was probably a pagan king who put his trust in Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, and through the fear of the Lord learned wisdom. The name Lemuel means, “belonging to God”. There was no king of Israel (or Judah) with this name, so either he was a foreign king, or it is a pen name for the author. Several older commentators and Jewish legends often say Lemuel, the “one belonging to God”, was SOLOMON himself and his mother was BATHSHEBA, But there is no evidence for this. “The utterance”: Like Solomon (Proverbs 2:6) and Agur (Proverbs 30:1), Lemuel understood that his words were an utterance, a prophecy or revelation, from God. “Which his mother taught him”: Perhaps like Timothy (2Timothy 1:5) Lemuel had a Jewish mother who taught him the fear of the Lord and God’s wisdom.
Warnings from a Mother to her Son:
1.(Proverbs 31:2-3) Warning: Son of the danger of Sexual Immorality.
“What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? Do not GIVE your STRENGTH to WOMEN, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.”
Let’s consider the warnings of a mother to a son in seeking for a right woman. King Lemuel’s mother spoke to him with great tenderness, “Do not give your strength to women”: The sense is that an excessive sexual interest in women wastes a man’s strength. This speaks of an unhealthy obsession with romance or sex, which have a proper place in life, but should not be made into a reason for living. The practice of sexual immorality and sex obsession gives away a man’s strength, in the sense of his spiritual strength, his self-respect, his self-control, his example and standing in the community. Of course, it could also be rightly said that in sexual immorality and sex obsession a woman gives away her strength as well, but King Lemuel’s mother spoke this to her son, not directly to her daughter. Both men and women need to remain faithful to God in regard to sex and romance, or they will give away their strength.
2.(Proverbs 31:4-7) Warning: Son of the Danger of Alcohol.
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is NOT for kings to DRINK WINE,Nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty,And remember his misery no more.”
The constant reminder of a godly mother is drink not as you’re in search. It is not for kings to drink wine: Kings and those who lead should avoid alcohol (intoxicating drink). This idea is repeated three times for emphasis. Though the Bible does see a potential blessing in wine (Psalm 104:15, Proverbs 3:10), it is a dangerous blessing that must be carefully regarded and for many (such as kings and leaders), voluntarily set aside.
Searching for the Woman of character and virtue: Proverbs 31:10-31
The 22 verses (Proverbs 31:10-31) each begin with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This acrostic construction was used in several psalms (such as Psalms 9-10; 25; 34; 37; 111; 112; 119; and 145 and Lamentations 4). The purpose was to make the passage memorable (easier to memorize), and to express poetic skill. This is, “An Alphabet of Wifely Excellence” (Kidner)
In this last section of Proverbs 31, Lemuel’s mother spoke to him about the qualities of a virtuous wife. The following verses speak of her character and activity, giving Lemuel an idea of the woman to search for and to prize. This passage is traditionally understood as being addressed to women but is more accurately spoken by a woman to a man so he could know the character and potential character of a good wife before marriage, and value and praise his wife for her virtuous character once married. It is primarily a search-list for a man, and only secondarily a check-list for a woman:
• This passage describes the kind of wife the Christian man should pray for and seek after.
• This passage gives a guide, a goal for the Christian woman, showing the kind of character she can have as she fears and follows the Lord.
• This passage reminds the Christian man that he must walk in the fear and wisdom of God so that he will be worthy of and compatible with such a virtuous woman.
The Virtuous Woman:
• Virtuous wife is the same expression translated mighty man of valor in Judges (as in Judges 6:12).
• The word strength in Proverbs 31:17 is used in other places for great and heroic victories (as in Exodus 15:2 and 1 Samuel 2:10).
• The word gain in Proverbs 31:11 is actually the word for plunder (as in Isaiah 8:1 and 8:3).
• The expression excel them all in Proverbs 31:29 “is an expression that signifies victory.” (Ross).
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..She is a woman of great compassion.
.. She is a strong woman yet gentle in spirit
..She is rooted in the fear of the Lord
.. Her character is trustworthy and of peace loving
..She will speak, act, and live with wisdom and mirrors God’s Word
.. She is filled with integrity
..God’s blessing will be on her home.
.. Her husband trusts her
..She continues being a blessing all the days of her life.
…She knows how to use the tools and technology available to manage the home well.
..Her husband and children are proud and honored her
..She cares deeply for her family, but her heart, mind and vision go beyond reaching the outside world
..She takes good care of herself, does good for her family and for others
..She cares even more about the display of her character than the outward display of her clothing.
..She is clothed with strength and honor, so that she shall rejoice not only in the present day, but also in time to come.
.. She was not only a Martha, busy with service; she was also a Mary, walking in fear and reverence toward the Lord.
It would be rare to find a woman who excels in every aspect of the list, this character should reflect the values and aspirations of the woman who walks in the fear of the Lord and godly wisdom. The woman described in the rest of the chapter is rare and valuable, but her value (worth) is greater than what she does. Her value or worth should not be reduced to the performance of these qualities; she will be virtuous before she acts in a virtuous manner. This is not only a description of the virtuous wife, but also an exhortation to children and a husband to bless and praise the mother and wife of godly character.
She is called a virtuous wife, not because only married women can have these qualities, but because this is marriage guidance from a mother to a son. The virtuous woman can be single or married, but each will have particular ways the virtue is expressed, either in their singleness or as family. A woman who fears the Lord has beauty that does not pass and charm that does not deceive. This virtuous woman will be rewarded by the God she fears and rewarded by what she has accomplished for her family, herself, and to others. Are you aiming to be one? Are you seeking for her? Discern and Pray!
Charm is deceitful: “Because it gives a false representation of the person, being often times a cover to a most deformed soul, and to many evil and hateful qualities.” (Poole)
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“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:30-31
References:
Blue letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
David Guzik Bible Commentary
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