Wisdom From King Lemuel’s Mother

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.

1. THE DANGER OF STRONG DRINK (Proverbs 31:1-9)
1. The Wisdom of This Chapter (Proverbs 31:1-2)
1. The words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1)
2. The prophecy that his mother taught him (Proverbs 31:1): NOTE: a mother has great power to influence her children; consider the influence that Timothys mother and grandmother had on him (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15).
3. Given to her son (Proverbs 31:2)
1. Her own son my son
2. Her physical child the son of my womb
3. Her chosen child the son of my vows; she had made vows to Lemuels father in marriage, but she had also likely made vows to God concerning her son and his upbringing. Compare Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11).
2. Common Dangers for Kings (Proverbs 31:3-4)
1. That they would give their strength to women (Proverbs 31:3; Deuteronomy 17:17; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Nehemiah 13:26)
2. That they would give their ways to destruction (Proverbs 31:3)
3. That they would give themselves to drink (Proverbs 31:4)
3. The Warnings Against Strong Drink (Proverbs 31:5-7)
1. Destroys the rule of kings and princes (Proverbs 31:5)
1. Causes them to forget the law
2. Causes them to pervert judgment
2. Fit only for those who are losers (Proverbs 31:6-7)
1. The recipients (Proverbs 31:6)
1. Those ready to perish
2. Those with heavy heart
2. The benefits (Proverbs 31:7)
1. He will forget his poverty
2. He will forget his misery
3. NOTE: Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37) and will never have reason to fit in the above categories.
4. The Righteous Use of the Tongue (Proverbs 31:8-9)
1. To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8); consider Esther in Esther 4:13-16.
2. To plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9; Psalm 82:3)
2. THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 31:10-31)
1. Her Purity (Proverbs 31:10-11)
1. She is virtuous (Proverbs 31:10)
1. Ruth (Ruth 3:11)
2. A crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4)
2. She is valuable (Proverbs 31:10)
1. Like the faithful man, she is hard to find (Proverbs 20:6)
2. Like wisdom, she is more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11)
3. She is vigilant (Proverbs 31:11)
1. Her husband trusts in her (1 Peter 3:1-4)
2. Her husband depends on her; having no need for spoil
2. Her Loyalty (Proverbs 31:12, 23)
1. She does good for her husband (Proverbs 31:12)
2. She increases the influence of her husband (Proverbs 31:23)
3. Her Industry (Proverbs 31:13-19, 27)
1. She is a master buyer
1. Buying wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13)
2. Buying food for her family (Proverbs 31:14)
3. Buying a field (Proverbs 31:16)
2. She is an accomplished craftsman
1. Working the wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13, 19)
1. Spindle: used to twist fibers into thread
2. Distaff: the staff on which the wool or flax is wound
2. Planting and reaping a vineyard (Proverbs 31:16)
3. Making good merchandise like candles (Proverbs 31:18)
3. She cares for those in her household
1. Giving meat to her household (Proverbs 31:15)
2. Looking well to the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27)
4. She diligently accomplishes her work
1. Rising while it is yet night (Proverbs 31:15)
2. Girding her loins with strength (Proverbs 31:17)
3. Eating not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27; see 1 Timothy 5:10, 13)
4. Her Economy (Proverbs 31:14, 16, 18, 21-22, 24)
1. In purchasing and working flax and wool (Proverbs 31:14)
2. In purchasing and providing food (Proverbs 31:16)
3. In making merchandise, probably to be sold (Proverbs 31:18)
4. In clothing her house well (Proverbs 31:21-22)
5. In running a home business (Proverbs 31:24)
5. Her Charity (Proverbs 31:20; Romans 16:1-2)
1. Stretching out her hands to the poor
2. Reaching forth her hands to the needy
6. Her Dignity (Proverbs 31:25)
1. Clothed with strength
2. Clothed with honor
3. Preparing for the time to come
7. Her Courtesy (Proverbs 31:26)
1. Speaking with wisdom (James 3:13-18)
2. Speaking with kindness
8. Her Testimony (Proverbs 31:28-29, 31)
1. Her children rise up and bless her (Proverbs 31:28)
2. Her husband rises up and praises her (Proverbs 31:28)
3. She excels the daughters of virtue (Proverbs 31:29)
4. Her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:31)
9. Her Sanctity (Proverbs 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