Lesson 13 for March 28, 2015
In the last chapter of Proverbs, Lemuel shared the advice he received from his mother on wine and women (Proverbs 31:1-3). WINE: Do not give [ ] your ways to that which destroys kings. (v. 3) 1. A toast to life (v. 4-5, 8-9) 2. A toast to death (v. 6-7) WOMEN: Do not give your strength to women. (v. 3) 1. A virtuous woman acrostic (v. 10-31) 2. Physical virtues (v. 10-25) 3. Spiritual virtues (v. 26-31)
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 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. (Proverbs 31:4-5, 8-9) Our society insists on selling the healthy side of drinking wine, beer and other spirits. Beautiful bottles, amazing ads and even scientific studies are used for that purpose. Nevertheless, the biblical advice is quite the opposite (Pr. 23:30-35): if you want to live a full life, we must stay away from alcoholic beverages.
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 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. (Proverbs 31:4-5, 8-9) According to the quote above, which are the harmful effects of alcohol on us (not only on kings)? Forgetting the law (v. 5). Corrupting justice (v. 5). Being unable to help (v. 8). Being unable to judge (v. 9). Alcohol prevents us from remembering the Law. Alcohol makes us neglect justice and take selfish decisions. Alcohol prevents us from helping those who need us. Alcohol prevents us from thinking clearly and from judging in a fair way.
Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6-7 NIV) Proverbs is very clear on not drinking alcohol under any circumstances. Then how can we understand that quote? The verb perish is used in Proverbs to describe the wicked (Pr. 10:28; 11:7, 10; 19:9; 21:28; 28:28). That is, those who reject God either with their thoughts or with their behavior. Those who are in anguish are those who are reprimanded by their conscience but don t want to listen. According to Lemuel s mother, both those who are in anguish and those who are perishing can drink wine if they want to. In short:
The only way in which any can be secure against the power of intemperance is to abstain wholly from wine, beer, and strong drinks. We must teach our children that in order to be manly they must let these things alone. God has shown us what constitutes true manliness. It is he that overcometh who will be honored, and whose name will not be blotted out of the book of life. E.G.W. (Child Guidance, section 14, cp. 64, pg. 401) If anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water drunk some little time before or after the meal is all that nature requires. Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues. E.G.W. (Temperance, section 5, cp. 6, pg. 101)
Proverbs 31:10-31 is a tribute to a virtuous woman in an acrostic form. Each verse begins with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. א Alef ל Lamed ב Bet ג Gimel Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. מ Mem נ Nun She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ד Dalet She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. ה He ו Vav ז Zayin ח Het ט Tet י Yod כ Kaf She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. ס Samekh She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. ע Ayin פ Pe צ Tsadi ק Qof ר Resh שׁ Shin ת Tav Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
We can find many similarities between that virtuous woman and wisdom as described in Proverbs 8: 31:10 8:35. 31:10 8:10-11, 18-19. She is precious and worth being found. She is worth more than precious stones. 31:14 8:19. She supplies. 31:17 8:14. She is strong. 31:28 8:34. She is praised. So a virtuous woman opens her mouth with wisdom. (Pr. 31:26)
Proverbs 31:10-25 The physical virtues of this woman contradict two stereotypes in society today: 1. Beauty. This virtue is not mentioned at all. The outward appearance doesn t make a woman virtuous. 2. Paid work. She is devoted to maintain a stable household. The Lord is served as much, yea, more, by faithful home work than by the one who teaches the word. As verily as do the teachers in the school, fathers and mothers are to feel that they are the educators of their children. The Christian mother s sphere of usefulness should not be narrowed by her domestic life. The salutary influence which she exerts in the home circle she may and will make felt in more widespread usefulness in her neighborhood and in the church of God. Home is not a prison to the devoted wife and mother. E.G.W. (The Adventist Home, section 10, cp. 38, pg. 236)
Proverbs 31:10-25 Why is that virtuous woman very busy (v. 12-18)? The reason for her constant attention is her responsibility. She must be there; otherwise, everything would collapse. She is also taking care of those in need (v. 20) and she is always planning for the future: She can laugh at the days to come. (v. 25 NIV).
She is wise: She opens her mouth with wisdom. Proverbs 31:26-31 She is merciful: On her tongue is the law of kindness. She cares for her family: She watches over the ways of her household. She is not lazy: [She] does not eat the bread of idleness. Her family respects her: Her children call her blessed; her husband also. She does good: Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. She fears God. She doesn t trust her own charm or beauty: Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Everyone (both men and women) who match this description is worthy to be praised now and forever. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:31)