Proverbs 31 Introduction

With the conclusion of Proverbs 10 in my last post we are now transitioning to the end of of the book of Proverbs for a different style of writing along with a rather specific message. Proverbs 31, is written by King Lemuel in reflection on the wisdom and words of his mother. As always with Biblical analysis the first step is to understand the author and what the inspiration behind their particular passage is. For King Lemuel, this is the only time in the Bible that he is mentioned by name or referenced to. As a result, this has lead to several theories about the truth of his identity; whether he was in reality Solomon operating under a pen name, or perhaps he was Hezekiah: the king of Massa, or that he was simply an Arabian prince that was selected by God to deliver a message. The name means "to God" and has the implication of "belonging to God." El (the basic name for God in Hebrew) on the end of Lemuel shows the name to be a compound of God. Personally, I think the name and context points to a poetic reference to Solomon. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon never uses his own name but presents himself seven times as the "Preacher" (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 2, 12; 7:27; 12:8, 9, 10). The shift in emphasis in Proverbs would call for a different construction. Through most of Proverbs, Solomon is giving words of wisdom to his son. In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel is repeating the words of wisdom given to him by his mother. Regardless of whether we assume the author to be Solomon, the message of this chapter is wisdom that would benefit King Solomon during his later years. These words contain the describe the dangers of alchole followed by the need for a virtuous woman.

Proverbs 10: 31-32

"The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverted." Proverbs 10:31-32 There are two principles that come to mind in the reading of these two verses. You have the religious message, as to what is acceptable, aka pleasing to God, is also one who is blessed with wisdom. The second is the principle that some readers may be familiar with; being able to hold one's tongue against your personal desires. Holding your tongue, rather than cursing or some other manner of inappropriate behavior.

Proverbs 10:29-30

Proverbs 10:29 "The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright, but ruin to the workers of the iniquity." The lifestyle of the righteous is one that is not of this world and often draws persecution and/or segregation for the refusal to engage or accept matters of life that are against one's own beliefs. Therefore, it is necessary to have a defense against that opposition when it comes, not if, but when, for the believer has been promised that there will be rough times and we will be persecuted for our faith. In this proverb, the way of the Lord is described as a stronghold. The average defenses of a stronghold were designed with the intention to withstand the most fearsome of enemy attacks, a place to withdraw and regroup. The modern day stronghold is now the church. A unified body of believers who will band together to support and sustain each other throughout whatever trials may come. With a unified front, temptation will be unable to prevail. Proverbs 10:30 "The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not dwell in the land." I included this second verse within the same post for the message resounds the same for the believer. The claim that "the righteous will never be shaken," is a proclamation that the way of the Lord is strong, sound, correct and resolute. However, the second portion of this verse deserves to be examined for it can be understood in a historical context or a spiritual sense. Historically, the land of Israel was originally inhabited when following the Israelites arrival to the promised land. They were then blessed by God to remove the scourge from their land. Regardless of the face they did not follow through with the instructions they received from God, the wicked were not allowed to dwell in the land of Israel. Disobedience aside. However, should we look at this verse from a spiritual analysis, the wicked are not allowed to dwell in the House of the Lord, only those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb may enter through the gates of Heaven.

Proverbs 10:28 Part 2

Now we get to address the darker side of proverbs 10:28. We left off last with two questions unanswered:

1. What are the expectations of the wicked?
2. How do these said expectations perish?

The first answer is rather simple when you take a moment and think about it. What are the expectation of the wicked? Replace some of the words and re-read it. "What do all men desire?" Same question, different wording. The basic instincts and desires of mankind are the expectations of the wicked, for all humanity is wicked, for all have sinned. We can claim this for the ways of the righteous are desires that we seek to emulate the personality and image of God, whose ways are not our ways. Now how do these expectations perish? How many of the dead do you see looking for love, money or food? Not a whole lot, otherwise Quentin Taritino may have to make a few zombie movies in order to keep up with the rest of the world. The point is that in death, you take nothing with you. Its game over for material matters, you leave it all behind and all that matters than is what you have invested in eternal matters. Which as we established our not desires or expectations of the wicked, but rather the righteous.

Proverbs 10:28

"The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes." Proverbs 10:28 This verse continues the them of chapter 10, with the contrast of the righteous vs the wicked. In later chapters the theme shifts to the contrast of the upright vs the wicked, two different principles that we will address when we get there. Here we are faced with the need to define 4 main points within this proverb to solidify an understanding its message.

1. What does the hope of the righteous pertain to?
2. Define gladness
3. What are the expectations of the wicked? How are they different than hope?
4. How do those expectations perish?

First question: the hope of the righteous is gladness, is what the proverb tells us. However, that is not the answer to the question at hand. The mention of hope implies a better future, a better tomorrow, however you wish to think about it. For the Israelites during the time of Solomon life was actually fairly well. However, soon to follow his corruption and fall would be a dark time for the land of Israel as we repeat the disobedience, enslavement, repentance, deliverance phase of history. Therefore, to have hope for a better tomorrow would lead us to believe the author is referencing eternal life. A life that cannot be tarnished by the world, and therefore is something that can be relied upon continually. Thus providing a matter or belief to have hope in. Second: Gladness, the knowledge that one day it will come to pass and will be enjoyed. This definition was the interpretation of Dr. Matthew Henry, and when this view is tied together with the hope of eternal life, you have the source of hope and the ability to have faith in it for your belief that it will come to pass. Interesting, that you cannot have one without the other. Joy, or gladness, requires a reason for its existence, and hope requires a belief that what you believe will one day occur. Continued on Part 2:

Proverbs 10:27

"The Fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened." Proverbs 10:27 I do not believe a literal interpretation is the best place to begin an analysis of this particular verse. If faithfulness to God was the foundation for a long life, than we should see a clear distinction in life spans between the righteous and the wicked. However, if you read the paper on any given day that is not the case. Rather than justify the actions of the world by quoting Romans that "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23, and therefore all of our years have been cut short. I believe if we look at this verse from a different perspective we may gain a different insight. What I am referring to is when taken in context of the authors writing, some 2200 years ago, the average life was around the age of 45 years. With our modern medical miracles we have prolonged this and adapted, however, in Biblical times the law was given and contained rather specific instructions in regards to the preparation of food. If you look at these preparations they contain several medically sound principles for the prevention of contamination and spoiling of food, as well as avoiding ill prepared meat. Therefore, it can be regarded that the fear of the Lord, and consequently obedience to the law will result in a healthier lifestyle, and therefore a longer life. Follow the Bible, live longer.

Proverbs 10:26

"Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him." Proverbs 10:26 As you may have noticed the length of entries have remained the same, but instead the level of analysis has started to increase upon each of the specific verses. This change has occurred as I have been studying I am finding that the wisdom that is in these proverbs requires more time and analysis than a mere glancing comment of one or two lines. With all that aside let us tackle this proverb in two parts, one the physical reaction and then the meaning behind it. Vinegar: For those of you who do not posses the patience to read the entire article provided, or simply do not care enough to, the important two facts to pull away are the following:

1. Vinegar is an acidic liquid processed from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid
2. Biblicaly is was not a pleasant thing, for it was sour wine

With this basic level of understanding it allows us to theorize the effects of vinegar to the teeth, the results following the same principle as leaving your tooth in a can of coke-a-cola. It will rot and disintegrate the enamel and eventually decompose the entire tooth. Hardly a pleasant experience. The same holds for smoke to the eye. Any person who has sat around a campfire can testify to the affects that sitting downwind of smoke can have upon your eyes. The smoke agitates the blood vessels until the burning sensation and irritation drys them out completely. With these two unpleasant, and potentially harmful activities are used to describe the frustrations of supervisor, manager, lord of the time, when dealing with a particular servant who is lazy in their duties. The best option that is found with smoke to the eyes, is to remove the source of irritation, in this case the lazy servant. Dismiss them from your charge.