The Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

² O my son, O son of my womb,
    O son of my vows,
³ do not waste your strength on women,
    on those who ruin kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
    Rulers should not crave alcohol.
⁵ For if they drink, they may forget the law
    and not give justice to the oppressed.
⁶ Alcohol is for the dying,
    and wine for those in bitter distress.
⁷ Let them drink to forget their poverty
    and remember their troubles no more.

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
⁹ Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

¹³ She finds wool and flax
    and busily spins it.
¹⁴ She is like a merchant’s ship,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She is energetic and strong,
    a hard worker.
¹⁸ She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
    her lamp burns late into the night.

¹⁹ Her hands are busy spinning thread,
    her fingers twisting fiber.
²⁰ She extends a helping hand to the poor
    and opens her arms to the needy.
²¹ She has no fear of winter for her household,
    for everyone has warm clothes.

²² She makes her own bedspreads.
    She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
²³ Her husband is well known at the city gates,
    where he sits with the other civic leaders.
²⁴ She makes belted linen garments
    and sashes to sell to the merchants.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.
²⁷ She carefully watches everything in her household
    and suffers nothing from laziness.

²⁸ Her children stand and bless her.
    Her husband praises her:
²⁹ “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
    but you surpass them all!”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
³¹ Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31

Dear God, I know of a relative getting married soon, and my perception is that his fiance fits this mode well. I like her, and I’m grateful for her in his life. I pray your blessing on them. I pray that you will help them to both grow in you through each other.

When I read this passage this morning, I had a few thoughts. First, of a mother trying to instruct her son as only a mother can. I would imagine this woman would have been a tough mother-in-law, but she did give her son some great advice. And it can be hard to send your son into the world. As the parents of two adult children, my wife and I have noted that when our children are dating someone what we look for is good fruit in them. Does the relationship seem to be producing good fruit or bad fruit. Are they growing and maturing, or are they regressing? Do they seem to be growing more selfless and loving or more selfish and defensive? Good fruit is really all we care about.

Second, I thought of the Kim Hill song “Charm is Deceitful.”

I remember this song from over 30 years ago. I think it came out about the time my wife and I got married in 1992. At the time, I thought these words described her. I still think that. She’s a remarkably good woman. How on earth did you give me enough insight to choose her as a wife and give her the mercy to choose me as a husband? We were so young. We made a decision beyond our years.

Father, I pray for my wife today. She’s had some recent sorrow. I pray that you will strongly support her, raise up voices around her who can be an encouragement to her, and help her to feel your love above everything else. Help her to transcend her earthly pain. Help the things of earth to grow strangely dim as she turns her eyes upon you. And I pray for the couple I mentioned earlier. I pray that you will bless their marriage. That you will use them in each other’s lives. That there might be joy and peace in their home.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen