Wisdom From King Lemuel’s Mother

Proverbs 31:1-31

INTRODUCTION: King Lemuel wrote the last chapter of Proverbs but he credits his mother with the wisdom contained in his words. Whereas most of Proverbs deals with a father speaking to his son, this chapter contains a mother’s wisdom that she gives to her son. Mostly, she deals with the danger of alcohol and the need for a virtuous woman.

I.                     THE DANGER OF STRONG DRINK (31:1-9)

A.      The Wisdom of This Chapter (31:1-2)

1.       The words of King Lemuel (v.1)

2.       The prophecy that his mother taught him (v.1): NOTE: a mother has great power to influence her children; consider the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on him (2Timothy 1:5; 3:15).

3.       Given to her son (v.2)

a.      Her own son – “my son”

b.      Her physical child – “the son of my womb”

c.      Her chosen child – “the son of my vows”; she had made vows to Lemuel’s father in marriage, but she had also likely made vows to God concerning her son and his upbringing. Compare Hannah (1Samuel 1:11).

B.      Common Dangers for Kings (31:3-4)

1.       That they would give their strength to women (v.3; Deuteronomy 17:17; 1Kings 11:1-8; Nehemiah 13:26)

2.       That they would give their ways to destruction (v.3)

3.       That they would give themselves to drink (v.4)

C.      The Warnings Against Strong Drink (31:5-7)

1.       Destroys the rule of kings and princes (v.5)

a.      Causes them to forget the law

b.      Causes them to pervert judgment

2.       Fit only for those who are losers (v.6-7)

a.      The recipients (v.6)

(1)     Those ready to perish

(2)     Those with heavy heart

b.      The benefits (v.7)

(1)     He will forget his poverty

(2)     He will forget his misery

c.      NOTE: Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37) and will never have reason to fit in the above categories.

D.      The Righteous Use of the Tongue (31:8-9)

1.       To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (v.8); consider Esther in Esther 4:13-16.

2.       To plead the cause of the poor and needy (v.9; Psalm 82:3)

II.                   THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (31:10-31)

A.      Her Purity (31:10-11)

1.       She is virtuous (v.10)

a.      Ruth (Ruth 3:11)

b.      A crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4)

2.       She is valuable (v.10)

a.      Like the faithful man, she is hard to find (Proverbs 20:6)

b.      Like wisdom, she is more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11)

3.       She is vigilant (v.11)

a.      Her husband trusts in her (1Peter 3:1-4)

b.      Her husband depends on her; having no need for spoil

B.      Her Loyalty (31:12, 23)

1.       She does good for her husband (v.12)

2.       She increases the influence of her husband (v.23)

C.      Her Industry (31:13-19, 27)

1.       She is a master buyer

a.      Buying wool and flax (v.13)

b.      Buying food for her family (v.14)

c.      Buying a field (v.16)

2.       She is an accomplished craftsman

a.      Working the wool and flax (v.13, 19)

(1)     Spindle: used to twist fibers into thread

(2)     Distaff: the staff on which the wool or flax is wound

b.      Planting and reaping a vineyard (v.16)

c.      Making good merchandise like candles (v.18)

3.       She cares for those in her household

a.      Giving meat to her household (v.15)

b.      Looking well to the ways of her household (v.27)

4.       She diligently accomplishes her work

a.      Rising while it is yet night (v.15)

b.      Girding her loins with strength (v.17)

c.      Eating not the bread of idleness (v.27; see 1Timothy 5:10, 13)

D.      Her Economy (31:14, 16, 18, 21-22, 24)

1.       In purchasing and working flax and wool (v.14)

2.       In purchasing and providing food (v.16)

3.       In making merchandise, probably to be sold (v.18)

4.       In clothing her house well (v.21-22)

5.       In running a home business (v.24)

E.      Her Charity (31:20; Romans 16:1-2)

1.       Stretching out her hands to the poor

2.       Reaching forth her hands to the needy

F.      Her Dignity (31:25)

1.       Clothed with strength

2.       Clothed with honor

3.       Preparing for the time to come

G.     Her Courtesy (31:26)

1.       Speaking with wisdom (James 3:13-18)

2.       Speaking with kindness

H.      Her Testimony (31:28-29, 31)

1.       Her children rise up and bless her (v.28)

2.       Her husband rises up and praises her (v.28)

3.       She excels the daughters of virtue (v.29)

4.       Her own works praise her in the gates (v.31)

I.         Her Sanctity (31:30)

1.       She ignores the deceitfulness of favor

2.       She ignores the vanity of beauty (Proverbs 11:22)

3.       She exalts the fear of the Lord

            4.    She receives praise for her wise choice