Sayings of King Lemuel
1The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! 3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Note: Proverbs 31 scripture courtesy of The International Bible Society
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Here we go again, being blamed for a man’s downfall. If not being blamed for Adam’s sin in the garden of Gethsemane was not enough, in the bible, King Lemuel flat out told his son, not to spend his strength on women because they have “ruined kings” in the scriptures above. Lastly, in today’s news, whispers of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh could ruin his seat on the Supreme Court bench. Quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of women being blamed for the reckless and inappropriate behaviors of men and just as the Epilogue of this Proverbs 31 woman, came after the King’s declaration that women are worthless, I’d like to believe that “The Wife of a Noble Character” was the ultimate clapback to the king.
I am not a theologian but I know how to read and interpret the Bible, like most of us, especially the NIV or NKJV versions. But without women, mere life wouldn’t exist so how dare some men, kings or those seated on the bench to govern our country, decide that anyone shouldn’t waste their strength (or their thoughts), on a woman? This blog post is not the typical read for Proverbs 31 and get your life together women, as we continue to do every time, we need a refresher on how to be great wives to our husbands or great women in society. Instead, this post is an attempt to stand with all women who need to clapback at any injustices done to the. Shall I continue?
Proverbs 31 woman, or the wife of a noble character to me illustrates how one woman should be and exist as a mate to a man of statue in their community. I’m here for this scripture, trust me I am, but I question, why does she (the wife, a woman) have such a detailed list of examples on how she should behave in the home, in her career and out in the world but men like Kavanaugh (or this noble character husband), is only told in Ephesians 5:23 that, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior (courtesy of Bible Gateway).”…….. Yep, I have a problem with that!
Women are great human beings, no we are not perfect but for 90% of our lives, we are the reasons that life continues to move forward and not just from us giving birth to children. We are the leaders in our communities because men have strayed away, are incarcerated, dead or just don’t give a damn about the needs of others. We are the counselors, helping people heal from mental health barriers. We are the first ones at the doors of our children’s educational institutions ensuring that our children receive quality education that help them later on in life as adults. Some women, are forced to heal from the scars we endure because we are married to men like King Lemuel or Brett Kavanaugh who sees no value in not defying the marital bed. Women are the first to arrive in the office in the morning or at home and we are the last ones to leave that same office or go to bed at night, to make sure that we have done everything we could in that day.
So we are naturally, GREAT woman and I believe that some men such as Kavanaugh need to read and study a blueprint on how to engage with women and respect women so that men won’t be the reason for our country’s downfall. Dr. Ford who exemplifies a Proverbs 31 woman had every right to stand up and disclose to the country what this man who will be sworn into office as a Supreme Court judge if elected, a man who is obviously not of noble character and if by her coming forth and speaking up, ruins his nominations, so be it!...... Amen?....Amen!
What are your thoughts on this case? Are you a Proverbs 31 woman who needs to clapback on someone such as Dr. Christine Blasley Ford did and demand that justice be served? Post your thoughts in the comments.
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