odcast Introduction

Today is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Proverbs 31. I do have an on this date in church history for you. I’m calling today’s episode “A Mother’s Advice”

Comments on Proverbs 31

This chapter is a mother’s advice to her son. The son is King Lemuel, and I’d like to tell you about him, but scholars don’t know anything about him. There’s a fair amount of conjecture, but no facts. One thing that seems true is that there was no king of Judah or Israel with this name. So instead of spending time on who he was, let’s just talk a little about the content of this chapter.

She warns her son about the dangers of sexual immorality. Good advice. And the advice would be just as good as if it were from a mother to a daughter or a father to either son or daughter. Both men and women invite all kinds of trouble if they are not sexually pure. I know that sounds very old fashioned, but look at the consequences on our culture today brought on by the sexual revolution that began in the 60s, not the least of which is more than 62 1/2 million abortions in America alone since 1973. STDs are rampant. About a quarter of the children in the US live in single-parent homes…the highest rate in the world. I could go on. Beloved, God’s plan for marriage is not to take our fun away, it is to give us a better, happier life. 

Then this wise mother talked to her son about the dangers of alcohol. Nearly everyone has a family member or knows someone whose life was ruined by alcohol. I never met my paternal grandfather. He was killed while driving drunk. My biological father was an alcoholic, as were three of his four brothers, if I’m not mistaken. And I could go on with other stories. Don’t get me wrong. Alcohol can be used responsibly, but a dangerous substance must be used with the realization that it is indeed dangerous. 

She talked about the importance of defending the defenseless. This is certainly important for a king or any person in a position of power, but it’s true for all of us. What are we doing for the defenseless? What is your church doing? Some churches feed the needy. Some have programs for the homeless. Some are active in right to life activities. Individuals can volunteer in soup kitchens, or do prison ministries, or counsel women who are considering abortions. Literally, the sky is the limit. Ask God what He would have *you* do.

And then verses 10 to 31 are probably the verses that Proverbs 31 is best known for: the mother tells her son the value of a woman of character and virtue. In the original Hebrew language, each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This may have been done to make it easier to memorize. One commentator called it “An Alphabet of Wifely Excellence.” I like that. Someone else called it “The ABCs of wisdom.” That’s good, too.

I have to say that as I was rereading these verses, I was wondering how to talk about them, because my wife, the the Lovely Lady LeeAnn, comes as close to fulfilling these verses as I can imagine any woman can. I could tell you about our marriage, and how I truly do love her more every day, and how reading this list made me fall even more in love with her as I compared her to the list. I told her about my thoughts, but she only said, “I fall so short. I’m not that woman.” And I thought that you wouldn’t believe me, or you’d think I was just gilding the lily. 

So I’ll just say this. I believe, down to my very core, that I am the most blessed man in the world. LeeAnn *is* a marvelous example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her mother raised her right, and on top of everything, she loves the Lord with all her heart. I have thanked my mother-in-law numerous times over the years for the woman my wife is. 

So that’s all I’ll say about her. Today, at least. For those who are longtime listeners, you know I’ve talked about her many times over the years. So I’ll probably do so again. 

I’ll finish today by suggesting to those of you who still have your kids at home that you have this kind of talk with them. And write it down, as this wise mother here in Proverbs 31 did. Give them Godly advice as they grow and mature. The culture today gives them all sorts of ungodly advice. It’s up to believing parents to do all they can to minimize the impact of the culture. Help them to see the consequences of following the crowd. The older they get, the more information you can give them. Help them to see that true happiness comes from following God’s plan. Following the crowd will only bring heartache.  

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 31 NLV

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The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
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