Lesson 13

key Text: “Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which des-troys kings.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating

drink” Proverbs 31:3-4

KING’S BELSHAZZAR BANQUET

INTRODUCTION:The book of Proverbs began with the teachings of a father (Prov. 1:1, 8; 4:1) and ends with the teachings of a mother (Prov. 31:1). The name Lemuel may allude to Solomon; if so, then Lemuel’s mother is Solomon’s mother, and she warns her son against the two most serious threats to the king: wine and women.

The association of wine and women is deliberate. To be efficient as a ruler, the king has to be careful of the influences he faces, and these two factors can be very powerful. Though the right woman could be beneficial, alcohol is only trouble.

The father’s introduction was concerned with the spiritual acquisition of wisdom. Now, the mother’s conclusion is concerned with applying wisdom in real life. For the spiritual principles taught by the father would mean nothing if the practical advice offered by the mother were not followed.

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, 8-9)

2. A toast to death (v. 6-7)

WOMEN: “Do not give your strength to women.” (v. 3)

1. A virtuous woman acrostic (v. 10-31)

2. Physical virtues (v. 10-25)

3. Spiritual virtues (v. 26-31)

“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)

Our society insists on selling the “healthy” side of drinking wine, beer and other spirits. Beautiful bottles, amazing ads and even scientific studies are used for that purpose.

Nevertheless, the biblical advice is quite the opposite (Pr. 23:30-35): if you want to live a full life, we must stay away from alcoholic beverages.

“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)?

Alcohol prevents us

from remembering

the Law.

Forgetting the law (v. 5).

Alcohol makes us neglect justice and take selfish decisions.

Corrupting justice (v. 5).

Alcohol prevents us

from helping those who need us.

Being unable to help (v. 8).

Alcohol prevents us

from thinking clearly and

from judging in a fair way.

Being unable to judge (v. 9).

“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 don’t want to listen. According to Lemuel’s 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.

א Alef Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

ב Bet The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.

ג Gimel She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

ד Dalet She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.

ה He She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.

ו Vav She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.

ז Zayin She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.

ח Het She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.

ט Tet She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.

י Yod She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

כ Kaf She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

ל Lamed She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.

מ Mem She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

נ Nun Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

ס Samekh She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.

ע Ayin Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.

פ Pe She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

צ Tsadi She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

ק Qof Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

ר Resh Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.

ש Shin Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

ת Tav Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

We can find many similarities between that virtuous woman and wisdom as described in Proverbs 8:

• She is precious and worth being found.

31:10 8:35.

• She is worth more than precious stones.

31:10 8:10-11, 18-19.

• She supplies.31:14 8:19.

• She is strong.31:17 8:14.

• She is praised.31:28 8:34.

So a virtuous woman “opens her mouth with wisdom.” (Pr. 31:26)

The physical virtues of this woman contradict two stereotypes in society today:

1. Beauty. This “virtue” is not mentioned at all. The outward appearance doesn’t 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 mother’s 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 31:10-25

Proverbs 31:10-25

Why is that virtuous woman very busy (v. 12-18)?

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

She is wise: “She opens her

mouth with wisdom.”

She is merciful: “On her tongue is

the law of kindness.”

She cares for her family: “She

watches over the ways of her household.”

She is not lazy: “[She] does not eat the bread of

idleness.”

Her family respects her: “Her children… call her blessed; her

husband also.”

She does good: “Many daughters have done

well, but you excel them all.”

She fears God. She doesn’t trust her own charm or beauty:

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who

fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

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)

Notice, too, the phrase the “law of kindness.” That is, kindness isn’t just some fleeting attribute that escapes from her mouth now and then. It is a law, a principle of her very existence. How powerful it would be if the “law of kindness” were to guide all that came out of our mouths.

Read Proverbs 31:30. What important point is revealed here that is so often forgotten?

All too often women are rated only in terms of outward appearance; that’s such a shallow and superficial marker.

The Bible points out just how “vain,” how empty, that kind of attitude ultimately is. This woman’s true beauty is found

in her character and how that character is made manifest in her life and works.

Beauty will always pass away; character can endure forever. “A great name

among men is as letters traced in sand, but a spotless character will endure

to all eternity.”—Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 81.

In what areas of your life do you need to see your character improve?

Praying about it is fine, but what concrete positive steps must you take in order to see

growth?

REFLECTION

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