What is Proverbs 31 Living all About?

Proverbs 31:2-9 (NIV) continues:

"O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows. do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

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

"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.

"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."

The king's mother instructs him to keep from beer and other alcohol. When a person drinks, even as much as just one glass, they forget what they've been taught and they deprive the oppressed of their rights. In fact, it says "all" of the oppressed.

An inebriated driver has forgotten all about the oppressed. How many innocent people have to be killed on the roads by drunk drivers before those drivers wake up?

This passage goes further to suggest that alcohol is for those who are perishing. You don't have to look far to see that the bars are filled with people who are perishing in sin. They get drunk and forget all about their troubles, for a little while. The sad reality is that when the booze wears off, the "sad reality" is still there.

The poor and the needy are all around you, probably even on the same street, in the same grocery stores, etc. King Lemuel's mother instructs him to help the poor, to stand up for them and to judge them fairly. There's no room for favoritism or harsh judgments based solely upon first impressions here.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV) "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

"In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

"Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Centuries ago, when Proverbs 31 was written, a wife of noble character was hard to find. It's no different today, in fact it seems to be more and more difficult to find women who are living for the Lord and put Godly priorities in place.

A wife of noble character is worth more than precious jewels (or money, gold or silver). That's pretty valuable!

These verses tell us that this woman is not a mousy little nobody who lives a cloistered life and is a slave to her family. On the contrary, she has a fulfilled life that reaches out and touches everyone with whom she comes into contact.

She puts God first, then husband, then children. She has servant girls, which today would be more like employees or helpers. I would even go as far as to suggest that she might have an influence over neighbors, extended family members or church friends - anyone with whom she would have a great deal of contact.

This Proverbs 31 woman works hard; she has strong arms. She grows food for her family and she's careful that they are well-fed as well as well-clothed. She sews warm clothing for them. Does this mean we have to make our own clothes? Of course not! It DOES mean that our children don't run around in rags.

Probably one of the greatest traits of the wife of noble character is the fact that she is kind and loving - she volunteers her time to help the poor and the needy. If she is blessed with money, she probably gives in that way. If she lacks material wealth, she probably gives of her time. She might take a meal to a family who lost everything. She does good works.

This woman is richly blessed with a husband and children who adore her. They are well-respected because of a godly wife and mother who makes them look good. She's taught her children the Bible. She's helped to shape their characters.

And they "rise up and call her blessed."

The last verse says it best, "Giver her the rewards she has earned..." When and where do we receive that reward? At the judgment seat of Christ when He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant."