Lesson 13 for March 28, 2015

In the last chapter of Proverbs, Lemuel shared

the advice he received from his mother on wine
and women (Proverbs 31:1-3).

WINE: Do not give []

your ways to that which
destroys kings. (v. 3)
1.A toast to life (v. 4-5, 89)
2.A toast to death (v. 6-7)

WOMEN: Do not give

your strength to women.
(v. 3)
A virtuous woman
acrostic

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink

wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and
forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted
Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who
are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:4-5, 8-9)

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink

wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and
forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted
Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who
are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:4-5, 8-9)

According to the quote above, which are the

harmful effects of alcohol on us (not only on
kings)?

Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who
are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and
remember their misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6-7 NIV)

Proverbs is very clear on not drinking alcohol under any

circumstances. Then how can we understand that quote?
The verb perish is used in Proverbs to describe the
wicked (Pr. 10:28; 11:7, 10; 19:9; 21:28; 28:28). That is,
those who reject God either with their thoughts or with
their
behavior.
Those
who are in anguish
are those who are
reprimanded by their
conscience but dont want to
listen. According to Lemuels
mother, both those who are
in anguish and those who
are perishing can drink wine
if they want to.
In short:

The only way in which any can be secure against the

power of intemperance is to abstain wholly from wine,
beer, and strong drinks. We must teach our children
that in order to be manly they must let these things
alone. God has shown us what constitutes true
manliness. It is he that overcometh who will be
honored, and whose name will not be blotted out of the
book of life.
E.G.W. (Child Guidance, section 14, cp. 64, pg. 401)

If anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water

drunk some little time before or after the meal is all
that nature requires. Never take tea, coffee, beer,
wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid
possible to cleanse the tissues.
E.G.W. (Temperance, section 5, cp. 6, pg. 101)

Proverbs 31:10-31 is a tribute to a virtuous woman in an acrostic

form. Each verse begins with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet.

We can find many similarities between that virtuous

woman and wisdom as described in Proverbs 8:

So a virtuous woman opens her mouth with wisdom. (Pr.

Proverbs 31:10-25
The physical virtues of
this woman contradict
two stereotypes in
society today:
1. Beauty. This virtue is not mentioned
at all. The outward appearance doesnt
make a woman virtuous.
2. Paid work. She is devoted to maintain
a stable household.
The Lord is served as much, yea, more, by faithful home work than by the
one who teaches the word. As verily as do the teachers in the school, fathers
and mothers are to feel that they are the educators of their children.
The Christian mothers sphere of usefulness should not be narrowed by her
domestic life. The salutary influence which she exerts in the home circle she
may and will make felt in more widespread usefulness in her neighborhood
and in the church of God. Home is not a prison to the devoted wife and
mother.
E.G.W. (The Adventist Home, section 10, cp. 38, pg. 236)

Proverbs 31:1025virtuous
Why is that
woman very busy (v. 1218)?
The reason for her
constant attention is
her responsibility. She
must be there;
otherwise, everything
would collapse.
She is also taking care
of those in need (v. 20)
and she is always
planning for the future:
She can laugh at the
days to come.
(v. 25 NIV).

Proverbs 31:26-31

Everyone (both men and

women) who match this
description is worthy to be
praised now and forever.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her own works praise her in
the gates. (Proverbs 31:31)