Proverbs 31  I noticed something that I don't remember noticing before.. "The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.. " 

These are the words of a mother to her son.. "What, O my son?"   What words of wisdom and love can she offer her son, the king?

"Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. "   The Message puts it this way, " Oh, son of  mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God! Don't dilute your strength on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders." This advice reflects the first few chapters of Proverbs that warned again and again.. of those who would lead sons ( or daughters)  into dens of iniquity and death.  This mother sees her son taking the wrong road and desperately wants him to choose the way of life... 

Verses 4-6 "It is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget the rights of the afflicted.. "  She tells her son that drinking is for the perishing.. not for the strong leader.  It helps the stricken to forget.. but it does not help the righteous leader to do right. As Paul wrote, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." ( Ephesians 5:18)   Filled with the Holy Spirit, the son will be able to do what is right.. "Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy."  This is the path that a godly mother desires and prays for her children. 

I know of women who do not like this next section.. the description of a "worthy woman".. it is a bit intimidating for us to try to become as ambitious, wise, strong, resourceful, and powerful as this ideal woman.. we just don't have that much energy.. But, when we think of this as mothers.. advising our sons to look for such virtues in a wife ( or our daughters for their husbands).... well, it sounds pretty good!  We want our children to find spouses who are industrious, trustworthy, good, faithful, kind, generous, and noble.  We want more than anything for our children to find a mate who "fears the Lord.. " A wife... or a husband.. who is praiseworthy, dignified, respected, and worthy..   godly qualities of a  much greater value than "jewels" or riches. 

Father, this is our prayer for our children and grandchildren.. that they walk in the wisdom of Your Word, that they choose Life.. following Jesus Christ all the days of their lives.  We come boldly to ask that You would help us to lead our families into the Truth that they would never leave the path that You set out before them. Father, hear this mother's heart for her children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.. for their salvation, for their perseverance in faith, for their future ( or current) spouses.. may they walk in the Spirit.. in a manner worthy of Your calling.. for Your glory!  We praise You Lord for such love and grace that You have poured out on us.. that we can come before You as children and ask such wonderful things.. in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.