I cannot read or think about Proverbs 31 without immediately thinking of the American holiday Mother’s Day. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard it read on that particular Sunday and a most appropriate passage it is for that occasion. More than a holiday reading, it should stand as a challenge on how to live one’s life daily. The principles and precepts set forth in Proverbs 31 define a woman of godly actions and character. But I’m ahead of the game – let’s back up for a minute.
This proverb is the product of a king named Lemuel; this is either a pen name of a known king (which seems unlikely) or the divinely inspired writing of a foreign king who Solomon surely knew but we don’t. What’s more, it appears that these words actually stem from Lemuel’s mother. The mother of a reigning king of that day was held in very high regard, higher even than the king’s wife. Part one (verses 1-9) is a mother’s wise advice to her son. She basically encourages him to pursue purity of character, avoid a corrupt lifestyle and rule in a just manner; good qualities for anyone to embrace whether prince or pauper.
The second part of the chapter (verses 10-31) is the description of a godly wife, undoubtedly shared with her son so he would know how to choose a godly woman for his life’s mate and the role of queen. I find it interesting that this passage is an acrostic used as a teaching tool. The initial letter in each of its 22 verses forms the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The opening chapters of Proverbs focuses on the unfaithful wife; how fitting that the last chapter is devoted to the godly wife. As with the opening verses of Proverbs 31, the wisdom of this second portion is worthy counsel for all of us, female or male.