Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Twenty Nine
Proverbs 31:1 (NASB) The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
The name of King Lemuel is only found two times in the Bible and both times it is this chapter of Proverbs. Who King Lemuel was we do not know. Many believe he was Solomon.
Wesley has said, "Of Solomon, by the general consent both of Jewish and Christian writers; this name signifies one from God, or belonging to God, and such an one was Solomon eminently, being given by God to David and Bathsheba, as a pledge of his reconciliation to them after their repentance. Possibly his mother gave him this name to mind him of his great obligations to God, and of the justice of his devoting himself to God's service."
Proverbs 31:2 (NASB) What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
Matthew Henry has said, "When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children."
Proverbs 31:3 (NASB) Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
There are many ways in which a king can be destroyed. The mother's warning is for the son to stay away from those things. She also warns her son not to give his strength to women. By being entangled in bad relationships is not a good thing. Yet how easy it is to get entrapped by them.
Proverbs 31:4 (NASB) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
Bad relationships can entrap us - but so can substance abuse. Any type of substance that can lead to bad judgment is bad. It is extremely bad when you are a leader within a nation.
Proverbs 31:5 (NASB) For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Drunkenness is inexcusable for national leaders. Alcohol clouds the mind and can lead to injustice and poor decisions. People in leadership who anesthetize themselves with alcohol will eventually compromise their principles.
Proverbs 31:6 (NASB) Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
To those who are dying - strong drink can ease the mind. Wine can make a weary heart glad. Both of these substances were to aid a person - as drugs are used now to help a person at the at the end of their life.
Proverbs 31:7 (NASB) Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
Here alcohol is used as a drug to forget a person's troubles. It is not that the troubles are gone - but they still remain. When a person becomes sober they must still deal with their problems. If you drink to forget the bills that you have - when you become sober - the bills are still there and you have less money because you have spent it on drink to forget your bills.
Proverbs 31:8 (NASB) Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Speak for those who cannot speak. Stand up for the rights of all - especially for those who are less fortunate than you.
Proverbs 31:9 (NASB) Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
Always judge righteously and look out for the needy.
Proverbs 31:10 (NASB) An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
Proverbs has a lot to say about women. How fitting that the book ends with a picture of a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. These type of women are hard to find - but when found treat her like she is a precious jewel.
Proverbs 31:11 (NASB) The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
Trust builds for strong relationships. He has no need to worry - but his trust will produce great gain.
Proverbs 31:12 (NASB) She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13 (NASB) She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
Some people have the mistaken idea that the ideal woman in the Bible is retiring, servile, and entirely domestic. Not so! This woman is an excellent wife and mother. She is also a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer, and merchant. Her strength and dignity do not come from her amazing achievements, however. They are a result of her reverence for God. In our society, where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise us to realize that her appearance is never mentioned. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character.
Proverbs 31:14 (NASB) She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
She is constantly looking out for the good of the family. She brings into the home things of value.
Proverbs 31:15 (NASB) She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
Coke has said, "She doth not indulge herself in too much sleep, but is an early riser, before the break of day, to make provision for those who are to go abroad to work in the fields, and to set her maidens their several tasks at home."
Proverbs 31:16 (NASB) She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Clarke has said, "She provides for the growing wants of her family. More land will shortly be needed, for the family is growing up; and having seen a field contiguous to her own, which was on sale, she estimates its worth, and purchases it a good bargain; and she pays for it by the fruit of her own industry. She does not restrict herself to the bare necessaries of life; she is able to procure some of its comforts. She plants a vineyard, that she may have wine for a beverage, for medicine, and for sacrifice. This also is procured of her own labor. Whatever goes out brings its worth in; and barter, not buying, is her chief mode of traffic.
Proverbs 31:17 (NASB) She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
She is strong - not just in her intensions - but physically as well.
Proverbs 31:18 (NASB) She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
She has good business sense. She is constantly on the alert.
Proverbs 31:19 (NASB) She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
She leads by example. When work needs to be done - she jumps in herself.
Proverbs 31:20 (NASB) She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
But she is not so wrapped up in her own affairs that she does not help those in need - but she looks out for them too.
Proverbs 31:21 (NASB) She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She does not fear the winter for she has prepared for it. Her family has warm clothing to keep them warm.
Proverbs 31:22 (NASB) She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She works with her hands and has made clothing for herself. The clothing that she makes is of the finest quality.
Proverbs 31:23 (NASB) Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
Because of her, her husband is well known in the community. He has a good reputation among those of the land.
Ellicott has said, "Instead of being a hindrance to her husband’s advancement, she furthers it. Her influence for good extends to him also. Having no domestic anxieties, he is set free to do his part in public life."
Proverbs 31:24 (NASB) She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
She is so industrious that she makes garments and sells them. She has no idle hands. She sells wholesale to those who will resale them.
Proverbs 31:25 (NASB) Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
Gill has said, "She is not afraid of want in old age, or in any time of distress that may come; and having a good name, laughs at death, and departs in peace. The church of Christ fears no want at any time, nor need any of her members; they have a clothing that never waxes old, a righteousness that will answer for them in a time to come; their bread is given, and their waters are sure; they shall want no good thing; all their need is supplied from Christ; they have hope in their death, and rejoice then and sing, "O death, where is thy sting?" - they will have confidence in the day of judgment, and not be ashamed; shall come to Zion with everlasting joy; and shall rejoice with Christ, angels and saints, to all eternity."
Proverbs 31:26 (NASB) She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
When she speaks - wisdom comes forth. Not only wisdom but words of kindness as well. It is one thing to have wisdom - it is another thing to show it in kindness.
Proverbs 31:27 (NASB) She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
She watches out for her household and does not sit by idly by - but is proactive.
Proverbs 31:28 (NASB) Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
Her children give her praise. Those who have been under the closest instruction - those who have seen her day to day actions - those who have a special relationship with her - bless her. Her husband also praises her and here is what he says:
Proverbs 31:29 (NASB) "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
"You are first among all women. You truly exceed them all."
Proverbs 31:30 (NASB) Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
To have charm is one thing - to have beauty is another - but a woman who fears the Lord - this is above everything else.
Proverbs 31:31 (NASB) Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
If no-one else will praise her - the works of her hands will. No just in private - but in public where all can see. What an outstanding woman.
