What human trait is characteristic of all forms of human government? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 4.
Is selfish oppression everywhere, even in so-called free countries?
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. (Ecc 4:1-3 NIV)
What is better than working hard just to be envied by others?
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. (Ecc 4:4-6 NKJV)
What is better than accumulating great wealth only to be all alone?
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecc 4:7-12 NLT)
What is better than having great political power, especially for anyone who is wise in his own eyes?
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more. For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor. I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. (Ecc 4:13-16 WEB)
What will become of the governments of this world when Jesus returns?
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will rule forever and always.” (Rev 11:15 CEB)
What human trait is characteristic of all forms of human government? You decide!
A Right Time (Ecclesiastes 3)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 3.
Do we wait patiently until the right time, season or occasion for things?
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecc 3:1-8 HCSB)
Does a worker gain worthwhile pleasure from his work when he does good? How does that relate to our eternity?
What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God. I have concluded that everything that God undertakes will last for eternity—nothing can be added to it nor taken away from it—and that God acts this way so that people will fear him. That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place. (Ecc 3:9-15 ISV)
Is wickedness too often found where we hope to find justice and righteousness? Will God eventually judge things?
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. (Ecc 3:16-17 KJV)
Is God testing us all right now? Will we all die, and what happens after that, is it in God’s hands?
I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same fate for each of them. As one dies so dies the other, and they all have the same breath. So there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? (Ecc 3:18-22 LSB)
No matter what happens in this life, do we trust that God has loving control over our eternity?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NASB)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? You decide!
Do we wait patiently until the right time, season or occasion for things?
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecc 3:1-8 HCSB)
Does a worker gain worthwhile pleasure from his work when he does good? How does that relate to our eternity?
What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God. I have concluded that everything that God undertakes will last for eternity—nothing can be added to it nor taken away from it—and that God acts this way so that people will fear him. That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place. (Ecc 3:9-15 ISV)
Is wickedness too often found where we hope to find justice and righteousness? Will God eventually judge things?
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. (Ecc 3:16-17 KJV)
Is God testing us all right now? Will we all die, and what happens after that, is it in God’s hands?
I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same fate for each of them. As one dies so dies the other, and they all have the same breath. So there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? (Ecc 3:18-22 LSB)
No matter what happens in this life, do we trust that God has loving control over our eternity?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NASB)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? You decide!
Chasing Wind (Ecclesiastes 2)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 2.
Do temporary pleasures make for a fulfilling life or are they just empty pastimes?
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?” I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives. (Ecc 2:1-3 LSB)
Do bigger projects, employees, wealth and sexual pursuits make for a fulfilling life or do they too just leave us empty?
I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. I also amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines. (Ecc 2:4-8 NASB)
Would becoming the richest man in the nation and chasing our heart’s desires just end up as meaningless too?
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:9-11 NIV)
How are both the fool who lives in darkness and the wise person who lives in the light similar?
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?—Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. (Ecc 2:12-14 NKJV)
What will happen to both the foolish and the wise? Will both be forgotten in time?
Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. (Ecc 2:15-16 NLT)
Why did Solomon hate this life and its temporary nature?
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecc 2:17-19 WEB)
What does hard work accomplish other than leaving it all to heirs who didn’t work for it?
I then gave myself up to despair, as I thought about all my laborious hard work under the sun, because sometimes those who have worked hard with wisdom, knowledge, and skill must leave the results of their hard work as a possession to those who haven’t worked hard for it. This too is pointless—it’s a terrible wrong. I mean, What do people get for all their hard work and struggles under the sun? All their days are pain, and their work is aggravation; even at night, their hearts don’t find rest. This too is pointless. (Ecc 2:20-23 CEB)
What are some of the best things we can actually enjoy in this short life?
The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us, and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind. (Ecc 2:24-26 CEV)
Do we chase after the wind, or follow someone who actually controls the wind and offers eternal life?
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 ESV)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? You decide!
Do temporary pleasures make for a fulfilling life or are they just empty pastimes?
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?” I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives. (Ecc 2:1-3 LSB)
Do bigger projects, employees, wealth and sexual pursuits make for a fulfilling life or do they too just leave us empty?
I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. I also amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines. (Ecc 2:4-8 NASB)
Would becoming the richest man in the nation and chasing our heart’s desires just end up as meaningless too?
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:9-11 NIV)
How are both the fool who lives in darkness and the wise person who lives in the light similar?
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?—Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. (Ecc 2:12-14 NKJV)
What will happen to both the foolish and the wise? Will both be forgotten in time?
Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. (Ecc 2:15-16 NLT)
Why did Solomon hate this life and its temporary nature?
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecc 2:17-19 WEB)
What does hard work accomplish other than leaving it all to heirs who didn’t work for it?
I then gave myself up to despair, as I thought about all my laborious hard work under the sun, because sometimes those who have worked hard with wisdom, knowledge, and skill must leave the results of their hard work as a possession to those who haven’t worked hard for it. This too is pointless—it’s a terrible wrong. I mean, What do people get for all their hard work and struggles under the sun? All their days are pain, and their work is aggravation; even at night, their hearts don’t find rest. This too is pointless. (Ecc 2:20-23 CEB)
What are some of the best things we can actually enjoy in this short life?
The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us, and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind. (Ecc 2:24-26 CEV)
Do we chase after the wind, or follow someone who actually controls the wind and offers eternal life?
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 ESV)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? You decide!
Vanity (Ecclesiastes 1)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? Let’s begin in Ecclesiastes 1.
Do we ever ask whether our lives have been pointless, filled with meaningless pursuits?
The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem: Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher, perfectly pointless. Everything is pointless. What do people gain from all the hard work that they work so hard at under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains as it always has. (Ecc 1:1-4 CEB)
Does the cycle of daily life continue completely without our input?
The sun comes up, the sun goes down; it hurries right back to where it started from. The wind blows south, the wind blows north; round and round it blows over and over again. All rivers empty into the sea, but it never spills over; one by one the rivers return to their source. (Ecc 1:5-7 CEV)
Do merchants rely upon our incessant covetousness instead of contentment? Has society remained basically the same in that regard since ancient times?
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. (Ecc 1:8-11 ESV)
Did the teacher summarize all human efforts as basically futile, pursuit of the wind?
I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecc 1:12-15 HCSB)
Is pride a danger in having wisdom? What are two byproducts of wisdom and knowledge that we would rather not have?
I told myself, “I have become greater and wiser than anyone who ruled before me in Jerusalem—yes, I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief. (Ecc 1:16-18 ISV)
Is there a temptation in wisdom to become conceited or arrogant in our own opinions?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Rom 11:25 KJV)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? You decide!
Do we ever ask whether our lives have been pointless, filled with meaningless pursuits?
The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem: Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher, perfectly pointless. Everything is pointless. What do people gain from all the hard work that they work so hard at under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains as it always has. (Ecc 1:1-4 CEB)
Does the cycle of daily life continue completely without our input?
The sun comes up, the sun goes down; it hurries right back to where it started from. The wind blows south, the wind blows north; round and round it blows over and over again. All rivers empty into the sea, but it never spills over; one by one the rivers return to their source. (Ecc 1:5-7 CEV)
Do merchants rely upon our incessant covetousness instead of contentment? Has society remained basically the same in that regard since ancient times?
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. (Ecc 1:8-11 ESV)
Did the teacher summarize all human efforts as basically futile, pursuit of the wind?
I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecc 1:12-15 HCSB)
Is pride a danger in having wisdom? What are two byproducts of wisdom and knowledge that we would rather not have?
I told myself, “I have become greater and wiser than anyone who ruled before me in Jerusalem—yes, I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief. (Ecc 1:16-18 ISV)
Is there a temptation in wisdom to become conceited or arrogant in our own opinions?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Rom 11:25 KJV)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? You decide!
Lemuel's Mother (Pr 31)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? Let’s look at Proverbs 31.
Was Lemuel’s mother a very wise woman?
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: (Pr 31:1 ESV)
Had Lemuel’s mother seen how Solomon’s sex addiction and multiple wives had destroyed him? Is there a difference between having one faithful wife, as God gave Adam, and a man who chases hundreds of women?
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. (Pr 31:2-3 HCSB)
Is it good for a king to avoid alcohol? Should he be available at all times for decisions requiring a clear head? What about communion wine for a Christian king? Is there a balance?
It is not for kings, Lemuel—Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. (Pr 31:4-5 ISV)
Who is perfectly free to have a strong drink or glass of wine?
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Pr 31:6-7 KJV)
Should we fight for the handicapped, and desire justice for the suffering and the poor?
Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy. (Pr 31:8-9 LSB)
Designed as an acrostic of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, what kind of high standards did Lemuel’s mother advise him to look for in a wife? Would she be worthy, capable, intelligent, noble, the perfect wife?
An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels. (Pr 31:10 NASB)
How valuable is it to have a wife that a man can completely trust that she will not overspend but wisely handle family finances?
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. (Pr 31:11 NIV)
How important is it to have a wife who builds her husband up rather than constantly tear him down with criticism?
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. (Pr 31:12 NKJV)
Does the virtuous wife love to work with her hands in homemaking skills?
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (Pr 31:13 NLT)
Does the good wife develop necessary skills for buying things from far away?
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. (Pr 31:14 WEB)
Does the virtuous wife get up early to cook for the family and even for hired help?
She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants. (Pr 31:15 CEB)
Is this a woman under a domineering husband or free to evaluate a land purchase and grow a fruit crop?
She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, (Pr 31:16 CEV)
Is she a lazy woman too delicate for physical work or energetic and strong?
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Pr 31:17 ESV)
Does the capable wife earn an income through her business efforts? Does she also work late?
She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. (Pr 31:18 HCSB)
Is this intelligent and noble wife also capable in the basics of garment making?
She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. (Pr 31:19 ISV)
Is this perfect wife also someone who cares for the poor and needy?
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Pr 31:20 KJV)
Is the virtuous woman prepared for winter with appropriate clothing for her household?
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. (Pr 31:21 LSB)
Is she also dressed appropriately, including occasional expensive clothing?
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Pr 31:22 NASB)
Because of the support given by such a virtuous woman, is her husband able to take a leading role in community affairs?
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (Pr 31:23 NIV)
Is this amazing woman also competent to create her own clothing line and sell it?
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. (Pr 31:24 NKJV)
With the support given by a loving husband, is this woman free to become strong and prepared for what may come?
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Pr 31:25 NLT)
Is this amazing woman valued for her wisdom and kindness?
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. (Pr 31:26 WEB)
Is this excellent wife diligent in her family and business responsibilities?
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness. (Pr 31:27 CEB)
Is this virtuous woman praised by both her children and her husband?
Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, “There are many good women, but you are the best!” (Pr 31:28-29 CEV)
Of all her qualities, which is the most important that any woman should have?
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Pr 31:30 ESV)
Will the excellent wife find praise in her labor that reaches even community leaders?
Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. (Pr 31:31 HCSB)
Is there a spiritual lesson here as well, in picturing the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? You decide!
Was Lemuel’s mother a very wise woman?
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: (Pr 31:1 ESV)
Had Lemuel’s mother seen how Solomon’s sex addiction and multiple wives had destroyed him? Is there a difference between having one faithful wife, as God gave Adam, and a man who chases hundreds of women?
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. (Pr 31:2-3 HCSB)
Is it good for a king to avoid alcohol? Should he be available at all times for decisions requiring a clear head? What about communion wine for a Christian king? Is there a balance?
It is not for kings, Lemuel—Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. (Pr 31:4-5 ISV)
Who is perfectly free to have a strong drink or glass of wine?
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Pr 31:6-7 KJV)
Should we fight for the handicapped, and desire justice for the suffering and the poor?
Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy. (Pr 31:8-9 LSB)
Designed as an acrostic of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, what kind of high standards did Lemuel’s mother advise him to look for in a wife? Would she be worthy, capable, intelligent, noble, the perfect wife?
An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels. (Pr 31:10 NASB)
How valuable is it to have a wife that a man can completely trust that she will not overspend but wisely handle family finances?
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. (Pr 31:11 NIV)
How important is it to have a wife who builds her husband up rather than constantly tear him down with criticism?
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. (Pr 31:12 NKJV)
Does the virtuous wife love to work with her hands in homemaking skills?
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (Pr 31:13 NLT)
Does the good wife develop necessary skills for buying things from far away?
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. (Pr 31:14 WEB)
Does the virtuous wife get up early to cook for the family and even for hired help?
She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants. (Pr 31:15 CEB)
Is this a woman under a domineering husband or free to evaluate a land purchase and grow a fruit crop?
She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, (Pr 31:16 CEV)
Is she a lazy woman too delicate for physical work or energetic and strong?
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Pr 31:17 ESV)
Does the capable wife earn an income through her business efforts? Does she also work late?
She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. (Pr 31:18 HCSB)
Is this intelligent and noble wife also capable in the basics of garment making?
She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. (Pr 31:19 ISV)
Is this perfect wife also someone who cares for the poor and needy?
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Pr 31:20 KJV)
Is the virtuous woman prepared for winter with appropriate clothing for her household?
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. (Pr 31:21 LSB)
Is she also dressed appropriately, including occasional expensive clothing?
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Pr 31:22 NASB)
Because of the support given by such a virtuous woman, is her husband able to take a leading role in community affairs?
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (Pr 31:23 NIV)
Is this amazing woman also competent to create her own clothing line and sell it?
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. (Pr 31:24 NKJV)
With the support given by a loving husband, is this woman free to become strong and prepared for what may come?
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Pr 31:25 NLT)
Is this amazing woman valued for her wisdom and kindness?
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. (Pr 31:26 WEB)
Is this excellent wife diligent in her family and business responsibilities?
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness. (Pr 31:27 CEB)
Is this virtuous woman praised by both her children and her husband?
Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, “There are many good women, but you are the best!” (Pr 31:28-29 CEV)
Of all her qualities, which is the most important that any woman should have?
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Pr 31:30 ESV)
Will the excellent wife find praise in her labor that reaches even community leaders?
Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. (Pr 31:31 HCSB)
Is there a spiritual lesson here as well, in picturing the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? You decide!
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