A STUDY OF WISDOM FROM THE BOOK
OF PROVERBS
A Noble Woman—An Example of Wisdom
Proverbs 31 SCC 2/7/16
The Proverbs of King Lemuel’s Mother 1
We
know nothing else about King Lemuel or his mother.
Yet her short description of the excellent wife (31:10-31) has been
quoted for 3000 years, and probably is the best description of a perfect wife
in all of literature. It is not clear whether Lemuel
or his mother wrote the words we have here. But, since the text indicates this
is the oracle, which his mother taught
him; these seem to be her words. She begins by giving her son
preliminary warnings about women, alcohol, and being unjust.
Don’t spend your strength on
sensual lust 2-3
The
king is warned not to spend his strength on sensual lust. This is, of course,
something Solomon addresses at length in the first section of the book
(chapters 5–9). Here, Lemuel’s mother says sexual
immorality will take your strength and destroy you, even if you are a king.
This is such a huge theme in Proverbs that every young man should take extreme
caution in his dealing with women.
NB:
Nothing will destroy your life faster or more thoroughly than sexual immorality
(Chp 5 and 7). If you run around with guys who boast
about their sexual conquests and listen to the media morality, one will feel
right about premarital sex, and regret it the rest of his life.
Excessive
use of alcohol will cloud one’s judgment 4-7
Drinking
wine and craving beer is not for king’s v 4. The point is excessive use of
alcohol or the troubling need for it that could cloud the mind and impair
judgment of those responsible to lead v 5. She suggests it is good for
the one who is perishing and him whose life is bitter v 6. She defines a bitter
life as poverty and trouble
v 7. Excessive alcohol use is not for healthy people in positions
of responsibility. She gives two reasons:
One,
it affects one’s ability to perform one’s job with your best mental ability v
5a. The primary job for a person with responsibility
is to think. You can’t do that under the influence.
Two,
she says alcohol affects one’s judgment v 5b. Specifically, she says you will pervert
the rights of all the afflicted. In other words, alcohol not only affects
your mental ability, it affects your moral judgment as well.
Be
sensitive to the need
about justice for the unfortunate 8-9
Lemuel’s
mother is concerned that he be a leader who is sensitive to the needs of those
who cannot help themselves. It is the responsibility of the king to also champion
the rights of the poor and needy, and those left desolate by the cruelties of
life. Specifically, she mentions the mute, the unfortunate, the afflicted,
and needy.
The Description of an Excellent
Wife
Lemuel’s
mother has been known throughout history for her description of the excellent
wife. There are 22 verses in this poem, each beginning with one of the 22
letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order. This noble woman becomes a role model
of wisdom for all who read it. With vignettes of domestic life throughout
Proverbs benefitting from wisdom, is the fertile idea that wisdom is best
taught and lived in the home. The success of the home demands wisdom, which
produces balanced living, which gives attention to domestic responsibilities as
well as business enterprises and charitable service.
Verse 10:
The phrase an excellent wife is or more literally a wife (or woman)
of strength. But the descriptive word can also mean she is a wife of efficiency,
wealth, ability, force, or power as in a powerful army. The
point is that the wife of noble character is not easily found but when she is
she is a treasure. This woman, like wisdom, is worth more than rubies. Of
course, this is contrary to postmodern feminism, but it is consistent with the
order of creation. Moses wrote: Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for
the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him”(Genesis 2:18). Next
she gives five significant aspects of the excellent wife. As we review these
virtues they are also true of wisdom when it is applied to one’s life.
1.
The excellent wife serves her husband
Her
husband lacks nothing of value 11-12
The point is that there is
no lack household goods for the family as a result of her diligence. Specifically,
Lemuel’s mother says her husband trusts her. He has
material gain because of her. She does only good for
him all her life. In any marriage and household such trust in the wife’s
ability is essential.
Her
husband was important 23
Because
of her noble character she enhances her husbands
standing among those who transact legal and judicial matters amongst the
community. The ‘gate’ was the place where the elders assembled for judicial
responsibilities. Though she is aggressive and competent she functions in a way
that honors her husband’s leadership rather than competing with or degenerating it. It is what respect is.
She
inspires her husbands praise
28-29
Her
husband, along with her children, praises her as most excellent, even among
other noble women. She is positive and optimistic and enjoys her role in life.
The outcome is a reputation, the best kind from those closest to you, about her
character.
2.
An excellent wife is a home-oriented businesswoman.
She is industrious 13-15, 19-20
A
noble woman can work with her hands to benefit her household. The use of wool
and flax indicates ingenuity to work skillfully to provide v 13. He ingenuity makes her capable to creatively supply her
household with goods brought home from shopping and buying v 14. She personally
and sacrificially prepares what is necessary to feed her household while
delegating where possible to take advantage of the help she has v 15. She even serves the practical needs of the
needy around her 19. She uses her industry in charitable ways 20
She is vigorous and shrewd 16-18
She
has a business mind and works hard to secure transactions that ensure her
household is provided for v 16. She works with energy and vigor with a healthy
attitude toward work v 17. She plans ahead and is praised for her forethought
that brings an advantage to her household v 18.
She understands business 24, 31
The
excellent wife is involved in business, but her business is all related to her
home. She buys and sells, earns and invests, manufactures and distributes. Her
business takes her out into the community, and sometimes beyond her own
community. But it never involves her
serving some man other than her husband, or focusing on the prosperity of some
institution other than her family.
3.
An excellent wife takes care of herself, physically
and spiritually
She wears appropriate apparel 22
A
noble woman commits herself to providing the most basic staples for herself and
her household. The clothing for her is appropriate, acceptable, and agreeable.
Her appearance has style and is artful.
She also clothes herself with
strength and dignity 25
Because
she is diligent and prudent in her household management, she enables that
household to become confident in facing the future. Her strength comes from her
sound economic management.
She realizes that charm is
deceitful and beauty is vain 30
Her
secret is her godly character. This does not mean she is not physically
attractive and charming but she recognizes those are not the qualities that
last. Only those produced from a fear of God are valuable.
4.
An excellent wife takes care of her household.
She is
well prepared for the future 21
He diligent management allows her household to be well
prepared for any uncertainties they may have to face. Warm clothes for cold
weather are an example of her preparedness for any contingencies.
Her
speech is wise and gracious 26
She uses good practical common sense in her
discussions with others. Her instruction is reliable based in experience and
insight. Her words of wisdom are worth hearing.
She
manages her household diligently 27
Her management prepares her household for the
future. Her supervision results in a diligent effort that anticipates rather
than reacts to situations. She knows her households needs very well.
CONCLUSION:
1.
Wisdom impacts the basic structure of society—the home. Wisdom lays the
foundation for an ordered society in the most basic unit of society—the family.
2. The
benefit of wisdom is all of the order crafted by the excellent wife. When
wisdom is at work it establishes order, averts chaos, and creates an
environment for growth and maturity.