Proverbs 31

The book of Proverbs offers us many great lessons that can be applied to our everyday lives. We learn practical ways to gain godly wisdom, make good decisions, and live righteously.

Proverbs 31 is the last chapter in the book of Proverbs. It comprises sayings by King Lemuel taught to him by his mother. There is little known about King Lemeul and Agur. However, it is believed that both are from the kingdom of Massa located in northern Arabia. The name Lemuel means “devoted to God.”

The first nine verses in this chapter are lessons from a mother to a son on how a king should act. His mother warns him to not waste his strength on women that will ruin him. She urges him not to drink too much, and to speak up for the poor and helpless. We can all learn from these instructions.

There are three lessons here that we can all apply to our lives:

1) Be careful not to partner with those that will lead us down a path of ruin.

2) Be careful not to crave alcohol, that it will cloud our judgment.

3) Speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves.

Think about these three bits of advice and ask yourself how you can apply them to your life.

Verses 10-31 describe a woman of noble character. We have read quite a bit about women in the previous chapters of Proverbs. These verses describe a virtuous woman of strong character, outstanding abilities, and great compassion. She is trustworthy and brings good to others. She is an excellent wife, mother, and businesswoman. There is no mention of outward beauty. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (v. 30)

The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 sets the bar high. It is a picture of ideal womanhood. It is overwhelming to even think about trying to be like her. However, we are encouraged to think about ways become more virtuous in our daily walk. What can you change in your life to become more like the woman described in Proverbs 31?