Wisdom for Leaders
31: 1-9
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
The sayings of King Lemu’el contain this oracle (Hebrew: massa meaning oracle or burden) which his mother taught him (31:1 NLT). The mother of King Lemu’el urges him to live moderately, avoiding excessive drinking and a large harem. Instead, she urges self-control. But more than that, she calls on him to bring justice to his kingdom. The true business of kings is to defend the poor and the helpless, and to use their power to help those who have none.564 Nothing is known about King Lemu’el. The same question of translation occurs here with massa that occurred in 30:1. It is possible that massa is a place; however, the idea of a burden normally describes a prophetic oracle of some kind. Jewish legend identifies Lemu’el as Solomon and the advice as from his mother Bathsheba. We have already noted and commented on the fact that in Hebrew proverbs, as opposed to other ancient Near Eastern proverbs, mothers are mentioned as those engaged in the instruction of their children (to see link click Ak – Obey Your Parents). However, this is the only place where we actually hear the voice of the mother independently of the father. The topic of her teaching is something that a wise mother, especially the wise mother of a leader, would want to drive home to her son: women and alcohol are great temptations that young men face along with power and money.565
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my vow (31:2 NIV). Vows were extremely important in Jewish society (see the commentary on Leviticus Fb – Personal Vows), as seen in Hannah’s vow to ADONAI Almighty (see the commentary on the Life of King Sh’ul Aj – Hannah’s Prayer). This probably meant that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to live according to God’s wisdom. Appealing to Lemu’el’s affection for her, she motivated him to embrace her teachings. He then immortalized her life and teachings by passing them on to others, and the Ruach Ha’Kodesh and the Council of Jamnia canonized them following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ACE (Psalm 116:16; Ephesians 6:4; Second Timothy 1:5 and 3:15). Her wisdom through Lemu’el still instruct the people of God today.566
Do not waste your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings (31:3 NIV). It would be a tremendous temptation for a king to use his power to amass a great number of wives and concubines. Because women can get even a king in trouble. Solomon is an example of that, with multiple wives, who ultimately led him astray (see the commentary on the Life of Solomon Bx – Solomon’s Wives). This was also illustrated by David whose pursuit of Bathsheba (see the commentary on the Life of David Dc – David and Bathsheba) was responsible for many palace intrigues that plagued his later years and succession. In any case, the sages surely would argue that even the king had the same responsibility to act with integrity in sexual relationships as the teaching required for other young men (see Chapters 5-7).
Lemu’el’s mother also warned him about the danger of getting drunk. The sages have already warned about drinking too much (20:1, 23:19-21 and 29-35). The problem has to do with one’s ability to make good decisions if under the influence of alcohol. A clear mind is important to the wise person. The Bible as a whole is not opposed to drinking, but it is opposed to getting drunk (see the commentary on Ephesians Bs – Do Not Get Drunk with Wine). It is very important for a king to know what he is doing when he makes important decisions. It is not for kings, Lemuel – it is not for kings to guzzle wine; rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they get drunk and forget what has been decreed, they deprive all the oppressed of their rights (31:4-5 Hebrew).
Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those whose life is bitter. That Lemu’el’s mother commends the use of alcohol to the poor may be seen in part as a strategy to discourage her royal son. Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more (31:6-7 NLT). In other words, it’s almost like she is saying, “Don’t act like those derelicts who drink to forget their hardships. Act like the king you are!” The king is the human representative of ADONAI Himself, who protects the rights of those who lack power.567
Verses 4-7 negatively warned the king against getting drunk so that he couldn’t issue just decrees to protect the poor. By contrast, verses 8-9 positively command him to enact righteous decrees to protect them. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and the helpless (16:10, 20:18, 25:5, 29:4a and 14; Psalm 72:12-14; Jeremiah 22:15-19), and see that they get justice (31:8-9 NLT). They are socially and economically too weak to defend themselves against the rich and powerful. The poor may be defenseless against them because they are too ignorant to counteract the obstructionist tactics of the legally savvy, too inarticulate to state their case convincingly, too poor to produce proper evidence, and/or too lowly to command respect. Furthermore, the rich and powerful can bribe witnesses to accuse them falsely. In the final analysis, the king must be accessible to the people (2 Sam 15:3; 1 Kgs 3:1ff; 6:26ff), and champion the cause of the one who cannot otherwise get a fair hearing.568
Both men and women can be leaders. All the gifts of the Spirit are available to women except, do not preach or have authority over men (see Genesis Lv – Women and Spiritual Gifts). The book of Ezra-Nehemiah is a training manual for leaders, giving twelve examples of leadership from the life of Nehemiah (see the commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah Bt – The Third Return), and also giving us the ten fatal flaws that derail those who think they are in charge (see Ezra-Nehemiah Ch – The Completion of the Walls Despite Opposition).
Leave A Comment