“The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.” [1]
She is obviously referring to multiple uncommitted relationships based on pleasing one’s fleshly desires and instead of a relationship with one woman that places God and others before oneself.
“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.” [2]
She taught her son that there a good reason to avoid using harmful substances to one’s body… they impair one’s ability to fight for the causes that really manner such as loving God and one’s neighbor and caring for the afflicted.
“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” [3]
Rather than being preoccupied with pleasing himself (as people with great power tend to do), he was to rescue perishing people, make good judgments, and advocate for people who did not have their basic needs met.
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” [4]
Here she counters her earlier warning about “women” with the inestimable valuable of a virtuous wife: one wife, who is committed to their relationship.
“She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” [5]
Surely only God could give such a woman to a man.
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.” [6]
She not only respects her husband, but she helps others to respect him as well.
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” [7]
She has been with the Lord and He has taught her how to use her mouth and tongue to build up and not tear down. She surely is more valuable than many rubies.
“She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” [8]
She helps her husband bear the weight of providing for the health of their family.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” [9]
Unlike the men who pursue the women who use feminine wiles to win the temporary praise of the masses, Lemuel is marry a woman who will be a blessing to his children and his praise as well. Incidentally, the word praise comes from the old French word "preisier” which means to prize. Lemuel’s mother taught him to avoid women and substance abuse, do what’s right in God’s eyes and for others, and marry UP! Good advice!
[1] Proverbs 31:1
[2] Proverbs 31:4-5
[3] Proverbs 31:8-9
[4] Proverbs 31:10
[5] Proverbs 31:11
[6] Proverbs 31:12
[7] Proverbs 31:26
[8] Proverbs 31:27
[9] Proverbs 31:28, 30
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