I had read it multiple times. I had heard it read or referred to more than I can say. And yet . . . I had missed it.
Proverbs 31:1 “The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:” (NLV)
This chapter was the advice of a mother to her son.
So why did I find this so important? Because, once again, we see God at work.
Biblical times were steeped in patriarchy. Women’s roles and influence were limited, but God always works outside of society's confines. In the Old Testament, Deborah was a judge and military leader. Esther courageously stepped in to save her people. Abigail wisely mollified a king bent on revenge because of her husband’s foolish words and actions.
After 884 verses of male wisdom, I guess I wasn’t ready to shift gears, but the advice coming from a mother to a son makes sense.
Multiple websites assert that a strong mother-son bond will help shape a son’s self-esteem and emotional intelligence as well as foster the ability to form healthy and fulfilling relationships. Mom’s are also instrumental in developing their son’s self-discipline, communication skills, respect for others, sense of responsibility, and resilience in the face of challenges.
And a mother’s influence never fades. The son in Proverbs 31 is a king, and his mother offers him this advice. First, in a culture that allowed kings to amass large harems and be involved with multiple women, “don’t.” Solomon, the wisest man ever, succumbed to this weakness, and he and his kingdom paid the price.
Second, don’t drink because a king needed to have a clear head. If under the influence, he might forget the law or go against the rights of the people. We also see that drunkenness did not work out well for King Elah. He was murdered while “drinking himself drunk” (I Kings 16:9 ESV).
Instead his mother tells him to do good, be fair and just, and stand up for those who suffer and are in need.
It is up for debate if verses 10-31, regarding what makes a good wife, was advice from his mother, but it is included in the same chapter, so one could make the argument that only a mom knows the kind of wife her son needs and what characteristics make up a godly woman.
Both parents are vital to a child’s upbringing, but just as the father-daughter bond is so important to the well-being of the daughter, so is the mother-son relationship to the son. God bless all the godly mothers out there.
Proverbs 31:1 “The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:” (NLV)
This chapter was the advice of a mother to her son.
So why did I find this so important? Because, once again, we see God at work.
Biblical times were steeped in patriarchy. Women’s roles and influence were limited, but God always works outside of society's confines. In the Old Testament, Deborah was a judge and military leader. Esther courageously stepped in to save her people. Abigail wisely mollified a king bent on revenge because of her husband’s foolish words and actions.
After 884 verses of male wisdom, I guess I wasn’t ready to shift gears, but the advice coming from a mother to a son makes sense.
Multiple websites assert that a strong mother-son bond will help shape a son’s self-esteem and emotional intelligence as well as foster the ability to form healthy and fulfilling relationships. Mom’s are also instrumental in developing their son’s self-discipline, communication skills, respect for others, sense of responsibility, and resilience in the face of challenges.
And a mother’s influence never fades. The son in Proverbs 31 is a king, and his mother offers him this advice. First, in a culture that allowed kings to amass large harems and be involved with multiple women, “don’t.” Solomon, the wisest man ever, succumbed to this weakness, and he and his kingdom paid the price.
Second, don’t drink because a king needed to have a clear head. If under the influence, he might forget the law or go against the rights of the people. We also see that drunkenness did not work out well for King Elah. He was murdered while “drinking himself drunk” (I Kings 16:9 ESV).
Instead his mother tells him to do good, be fair and just, and stand up for those who suffer and are in need.
It is up for debate if verses 10-31, regarding what makes a good wife, was advice from his mother, but it is included in the same chapter, so one could make the argument that only a mom knows the kind of wife her son needs and what characteristics make up a godly woman.
Both parents are vital to a child’s upbringing, but just as the father-daughter bond is so important to the well-being of the daughter, so is the mother-son relationship to the son. God bless all the godly mothers out there.
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