Book of Proverbs s2

Book of Proverbs Chapter 31:1-9

This final chapter in Proverbs contains two main sections:

1) The instruction of a good mother (vs. 1-9)

2) The illustration of a good mother (vs. 10-31)

In the final chapter of this great wisdom book it is not surprising to find the words of a good woman and the example of a good woman. In earlier chapters wisdom is personified as a woman, “Lady Wisdom” (Prov. 1:20-33; 8:1-11; 9:1-6). The Book of Proverbs ends with the teaching of Lemuel’s mother and the example of a virtuous woman. All of this is impressive when you consider the male-dominated culture of the Old Testament world.

31:1 – King Lemuel’s mother taught him a prophecy Scholars suggest that King Lemuel may refer to Solomon or Hezekiah. This godly mother taught him a prophecy (burden, weighty message, Prov. 30:1). The word prophecy includes forth-telling and not just fore-telling. The influence of a mother’s teaching cannot be overstated. It has been said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Someone observed, “The lessons taught on a mother’s knee cannot be learned at any other joint.” A mother has the opportunity to write on her child’s heart some things that cannot be erased. A mother is usually responsible for much of her child’s early training (see the example of Timothy and his mother Eunice, 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15).

31:2 – Being a mother is a great responsibility and privilege These three consecutive questions remind us of the incomparable blessings of motherhood and the special relationship between a mother and her child.

 The special love of a mother (“my son”) – We may have no children or many children, but we only have one mother. A mother’s love is second only to God’s love (Isa. 49:15).

 The special care of a mother (“the son of my womb”) – See Ps. 127:3: 139:13-16. A mother has an intimate relationship with her child nine months longer than any other person. It is a matter of love before first sight.

 The special promise of a mother (“the son of my vows”) – The name Lemuel means “devoted to God, belonging to God” Like Samuel’s mother Hannah (1 Sam. 1:11, 26-28), the mother of King Lemuel apparently made promises to God concerning how she would raise her son and what she trusted God to do in his life.

31:3 – A mother’s warning about women Most of Proverbs are stated as the instruction of a father to a son, but this is a mother’s instruction for her son (see Prov. 1:8; 6:20, “the law of thy mother”). This is a double warning against immorality and also having multiple wives. Women can deplete a man’s strength and ultimately destroy him. Proverbs has several warnings about immoral women (Prov. 2:16-19; 5:1-14; 7:5-27; 22:14). Kings were to heed God’s warning about multiple wives (Deut. 17:17). Solomon violated God’s Word, married many women, and allowed these wives to turn his heart away from God (1 Kgs. 11:1-10; Neh. 13:26).

31:4-7 – A mother’s warning about wine Biblical kings were judges as well as executives. Wine or strong drink would affect the thinking of “kings” or “princes” (government leaders) and cause them to make bad decisions and pervert justice (see Isa. 5:22-23). Verses 6-7 should not be understood as condoning or supporting the consumption of wine or strong drink. These are simply observations that drinking has the ability to kill pain and deaden the senses.

Let’s review God’s warning about drinking alcohol in Proverbs 23:29-35 This extended passage on drinking alcohol begins by asking six questions that describe the horrible outcome of drunkenness: woe, sorrow, arguments, slurred speech, physical injuries, and red eyes. Anyone who suggests that there is nothing wrong with a little “social drinking” ought to visit a rescue mission or jail. There is one single cause of drunkenness: drinking. There is one simple reason for alcoholism: alcohol. The Japanese have a proverb that says, “First the man takes a drink; then the drink takes a drink; then the drink takes a man.” Here are the dangers of drinking alcohol:

1) Alcohol is destructive (vs. 29-30) – We say a person is “intoxicated.” Toxic means poisonous. Alcohol is not a food; it is a poison and should be labeled as such.

2) Alcohol is deceptive (vs. 31) – At first drinking appeals to the senses, but in the end it makes no sense (see Prov. 20:1).

3) Alcohol is deadly (vs. 32) – Alcohol is like a poisonous snake that will bite you and kill you. This refers not only to physical death but also to eternal death in Hell.

4) Alcohol is dominant (vs. 33) – It affects a person’s judgment and speech (compare Eph. 5:18). We say that someone is “under the influence” of alcohol.

5) Alcohol is debilitating (vs. 34) – It causes a person to stagger and be unstable.

6) Alcohol is deadening (vs. 35) – After a few drinks a person says he is “feeling no pain.” Alcohol dulls the senses and enslaves. Remember that God’s power is greater than any addiction. Thank God for the remedy of salvation (1 Cor. 6:9-12). By God’s grace in Christ we can be justified from sin’s penalty and sanctified from sin’s power.

31:8-9 – A mother’s instruction about justice and concern for others King Lemuel’s mother taught him to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for those who are disadvantaged (“the poor and needy”). A king should administer justice consistently for all people regardless of their social standing (Prov. 29:14). Job was a godly man and civic leader who cared for the underprivileged and needy (Job 29:1-16). A mark of godly character is helping those who are not able to repay or reward us. Verse 8 speaks to the current terrible tragedy of aborting unborn babies. Not only should lawmakers, judges, and leaders speak up for these little ones, all of God’s people must speak up for the unborn because they can’t speak for themselves and they are “appointed to destruction.” Human life begins at conception (Job 3:3; Jer. 1:4-5). Book of Proverbs Chapter 31:1-9

This final chapter in Proverbs contains two main sections:

1) ______(vs. 1-9)

2) ______(vs. 10-31)

In the final chapter of this great wisdom book it is not surprising to find the words of a good woman and the example of a good woman. In earlier chapters wisdom is personified as a woman, “Lady Wisdom” (Prov. 1:20-33; 8:1-11; 9:1-6). The Book of Proverbs ends with the teaching of Lemuel’s mother and the example of a virtuous woman. All of this is impressive when you consider the male-dominated culture of the Old Testament world.

31:1 – ______Scholars suggest that King Lemuel may refer to Solomon or Hezekiah. This godly mother taught him a prophecy (burden, weighty message, Prov. 30:1). The word prophecy includes forth-telling and not just fore-telling. The influence of a mother’s teaching cannot be overstated. It has been said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Someone observed, “The lessons taught on a mother’s knee cannot be learned at any other joint.” A mother has the opportunity to write on her child’s heart some things that cannot be erased. A mother is usually responsible for much of her child’s early training (see the example of Timothy and his mother Eunice, 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15).

31:2 – ______These three consecutive questions remind us of the incomparable blessings of motherhood and the special relationship between a mother and her child.

 ______of a mother (“my son”) We may have no children or many children, but we only have one mother. A mother’s love is second only to God’s love (Isa. 49:15).

 ______of a mother (“the son of my womb”) See Ps. 127:3: 139:13-16. A mother has an intimate relationship with her child nine months longer than any other person. It is a matter of love before first sight.

 ______of a mother (“the son of my vows”) The name Lemuel means “devoted to God, belonging to God” Like Samuel’s mother Hannah (1 Sam. 1:11, 26-28), the mother of King Lemuel apparently made promises to God concerning how she would raise her son and what she trusted God to do in his life.

31:3 – ______Most of Proverbs are stated as the instruction of a father to a son, but this is a mother’s instruction for her son (see Prov. 1:8; 6:20, “the law of thy mother”). This is a double warning against immorality and also having multiple wives. Women can deplete a man’s strength and ultimately destroy him. Proverbs has several warnings about immoral women (Prov. 2:16-19; 5:1-14; 7:5-27; 22:14). Kings were to heed God’s warning about multiple wives (Deut. 17:17). Solomon violated God’s Word, married many women, and allowed these wives to turn his heart away from God (1 Kgs. 11:1-10; Neh. 13:26).

31:4-7 – ______Biblical kings were judges as well as executives. Wine or strong drink would affect the thinking of “kings” or “princes” (government leaders) and cause them to make bad decisions and pervert justice (see Isa. 5:22-23). Verses 6-7 should not be understood as condoning or supporting the consumption of wine or strong drink. These are simply observations that drinking has the ability to kill pain and deaden the senses.

Let’s review God’s warning about drinking alcohol in Proverbs 23:29-35 This extended passage on drinking alcohol begins by asking six questions that describe the horrible outcome of drunkenness. Anyone who suggests that there is nothing wrong with a little “social drinking” ought to visit a rescue mission or jail. There is one single cause of drunkenness: drinking. There is one simple reason for alcoholism: alcohol. Here are the dangers of drinking alcohol:

1) Alcohol is______(vs. 29-30) – We say a person is “intoxicated.” Toxic means poisonous. Alcohol is not a food; it is a poison and should be labeled as such.

2) Alcohol is______(vs. 31) – At first drinking appeals to the senses, but in the end it makes no sense (see Prov. 20:1).

3) Alcohol is______(vs. 32) – Alcohol is like a poisonous snake that will bite you and kill you. This refers not only to physical death but also to eternal death in Hell.

4) Alcohol is______(vs. 33) – It affects a person’s judgment and speech (compare Eph. 5:18). We say that someone is “under the influence” of alcohol.

5) Alcohol is______(vs. 34) – It causes a person to stagger and be unstable.

6) Alcohol is______(vs. 35) – After a few drinks a person says he is “feeling no pain.” Alcohol dulls the senses and enslaves. Remember that God’s power is greater than any addiction. Thank God for the remedy of salvation (1 Cor. 6:9-12).

31:8-9 – ______King Lemuel’s mother taught him to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for those who are disadvantaged (“the poor and needy”). A king should administer justice consistently for all people regardless of their social standing (Prov. 29:14). Job was a godly man and civic leader who cared for the underprivileged and needy (Job 29:1-16). A mark of godly character is helping those who are not able to repay or reward us. Verse 8 speaks to the current terrible tragedy of aborting unborn babies. Not only should lawmakers, judges, and leaders speak up for these little ones, all of God’s people must speak up for the unborn because they can’t speak for themselves and they are “appointed to destruction.” Human life begins at conception (Job 3:3; Jer. 1:4-5).