Proverbs 31 - The Man's Preparation Part 1

"O my son...do not waste your strength on women...who ruin kings. It is not for kings ...to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more." Proverbs 31:2-7

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Well, well, well...It looks like there are some things King Lemuel needs to get in order before he will be ready for that Proverbs 31 wife of his future. In fact, these verses are jam packed with many qualities and characteristics consistent with a Godly lifestyle. 

Choose Wisely:

It is so easy when dating to gravitate toward the good-looking who like to have fun and present themselves as the life of the party. Unfortunately, women who live this life, and could care less about honoring God, usually drain the strength of their man faster than a Corvette on a high speed chase. In the process, they decimate their reputations while wrestling down the reputation of the man they're with. How do I know? Because I was that women before I met the living and resurrected King of Kings. This wise mother of King Lemuel is warning him against such women. She knows a woman like that would ruin him and the plan God has for his life.

Alcohol:
The next topic addressed is alcohol. From these verses we can deduct this mom understands the consequences alcohol has on individuals, marriages, and family. Whatever she's witnessed has made her keenly aware that wine and alcohol have no place in the hands of God's children wanting to live life to its fullest. Isn't that ironic? Because our society constantly screams to us that you can't live life to the fullest until you have alcohol.

There is a recognition in these verses that alcohol will cause this king to not rule properly and forget to give justice to the oppressed. She desires he stay far from it so he continues to be sensitive to his calling, does well in the areas God has placed him, and doesn't lend himself to being consumed by anything that would cause him to become selfish and forget to think of others.

Sadly, alcohol is the mostly socially acceptable drug inside and outside the church. It is tearing apart families and causing division among all races, ages, denominations, and economic levels. As children of the Most High King, we mustn't allow it to creep into our lives either. It will pull us away from, and cause us to be selfish about, the things God's called us to. Our lives are not different from King Lemuel. His mother's stern warning is a warning of protection in this area for all people for all time.

Lastly, if a man gives himself to alcohol he is unfit to be the ruler and king of his domain, his home. And because he is the leader of his home, his wife and children automatically follow. Even if they try earnestly not to, God has innately built into them to follow his leading. King Lemuel's mother knows if he steers clear he will potentially save his wife and children from stumbling due to his weakness.

Warned in Love:

The words of this wise mother are coming straight from the hand of our Good Father. There is a strong warning here. A warning gently snuggled into a blanket of warm love and wrapped in fresh cloths of concern and care; He wants what's best for the ones He loves so dearly - the ones He's called to be the representation of Himself on this earth. May we examine our lives in these areas and represent Him well.