proverbs31-woman.com

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

King Lemuel’s mother spoke wise words to teach a King how to look out for his people and to protect those who could not protect themselves. She had recognised how important it was for him to learn that he should always be in control (not partaking of alcohol), being careful of whom he kept company with and keeping his strength for things that really mattered.

His mother’s words, however, are not just for King Lemuel, but also for the reader. If we do not take responsibility for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, then who will? We should work towards being a strength to our family, our friends, to those who are in need and speak up at a time when it is important to do so.

Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Interesting that humankind hasn’t changed much in a few thousand years. Alcohol is still used today by many to forget their woes and to put a different view on life for a period of time, for however long the effects are with them. King Lemuel’s mother recognised and knew that alcohol would affect her son the same, if he chose to partake of it, and she wanted to bring him up, above that level, reminding him who he was and his place in life. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to have wine, but rather that he should refrain from partaking in anything that would impair his judgement and make him forget things of importance. This is why she told him in an earlier verse that kings and rulers should not drink wine or crave beer.

These verses, along with others in the bible, both Old and New Testaments, serve to remind us that anything allowed to control us, or become our master, is done to our detriment.

Prayer: Father, we seek your guidance, and your help in those things that we’ve allowed take hold in our lives – things that have gotten between You and ourselves. We pray that you will show us the way to break free of those bondages and place You back in our lives at the helm.

alcohol, wine, beer, lose control, anguish, kings, rulers

It is not for kings, O Lemuel – not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, less they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

It is well known that in the drinking of alcohol, one can lose their ability for thinking clearly, for seeing clearly, and for being in control of what one might say or do. For a king to lose control, or not be aware at any given time, is not a good thing. Lemuel was being reminded of his right, and his responsibility, in remaining clear thinking and in his rightful mind so that he should not forget his subjects, his people, in their needs and their rights.

Being placed in a position of responsibility requires sacrifice in some areas. Whilst many would look up to someone who is famous and/or important, and perhaps covet their place in life, those looked up to must surely sometimes wish for a life of anonymity, when they could be like the ‘ordinary’ people of life. There are things they must forgo to fulfil their life position. King Lemuel’s mother understood this and served to remind her son of his responsibilities and position.

Prayer: Father, help us to accept the role You have set out for us in life, and fulfil the responsibilities You have given us, with understanding and courage.

responsibility, in control, lemuel, clear thinking

do not spend your strength on women, your vigour on those who ruin kings.

Oh, how well his mother understands how easily a man can be led astray by a woman, or even the thought of one. Man may be the stronger sex physically but their responses to a female can weaken them and make them vulnerable, to the point of ruin. The king’s mother seeks to teach him how to be strong and override a weakness that have made other men fall, that has made them lose their ‘vigour’ or their vitality, or strength of body and mind. Perhaps the weakness is not so much a loss of strength in body, but perhaps more a distraction where they would lose focus and strength in their mind, driven to distraction as it were. How often are mistakes made when distracted? And a King needs to be focused and in control.

Prayer: Father, help us learn to keep focused on the things that You would want us to do and be. Help us to turn away from distractions and keep our mind and body strong in Spirit.

focused, distraction, vigour, ruin, prayer