Shelby Olive, Communications Associate

Proverbs 31:1-9
1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 No, my son! No, son of my womb!
     No, son of my vows!
 3 Do not give your strength to women,
     your ways to those who destroy kings.
 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
     it is not for kings to drink wine,
     or for rulers to desire strong drink;
 5 or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,
     and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
 6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing,
     and wine to those in bitter distress;
 7 let them drink and forget their poverty,
     and remember their misery no more.
 8 Speak out for those who cannot speak,
     for the rights of all the destitute.
 9 Speak out, judge righteously,
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Reflection:
Why my parents ever allowed me to leave home at 18 years old for college is beyond me, because it did not take me long at all to realize that I was free to do pretty much whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I could have a 3 a.m. bedtime. I could live off of a diet primarily consisting of Dr Pepper and Cheeto’s. I could nap in random buildings on campus. I could get together with a group of friends and a bunch of 2-liter sodas and shake and toss them until they combusted. Just because I could. I was living the good life! Needless to say, I did not graduate with honors. These are certainly not terrible things, but it would be fair to say that I squandered a good bit of the freedom that was entrusted to me by my parents.

This is where our passage today finds us. Proverbs 31 is perhaps best known for its ode to the ideal wife, but an entire third of this chapter is a teaching, or rather an emphatic correction, passed from King Lemuel’s mother: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. This king had the world and its finest luxuries at his fingertips. He could have his pick of delicacies and women, and judging by his mother’s tone, it sounds like he took full advantage of these perks. But his mother cries a resounding, “no,” as if to say, “This is not who you are meant to be. You are meant for so much more.” King Lemuel’s power is not merely for his own amusement; it is to be used for the sake of the impoverished, the afflicted, and the disenfranchised.

Apparently, the lesson stuck, and the opening lines of the proverb become a teaching passed down from generation to generation. This lesson is not only for one king located in one specific part of the world’s history; it is for all people who take the Word of God to heart.

Life finds many of us in situations like King Lemuel’s – ones where we are given positions of heightened authority or increased freedom. When we step into these roles, it can be very tempting to get caught up in enjoying the benefits rather than the responsibilities. And of course we do! Isn’t it so much more fun to do things just because we have the ability to do them? But the Holy Spirit—much like King Lemuel’s mother—directs our gaze away from our personal ambitions and toward something much more precious, much more meaningful. God graciously helps us to set aside doing things just because we can, inviting us to embrace God’s call for us to be stewards who pour ourselves out for the sake of others. This doesn’t mean we have to abandon laughter, or whimsy, or fun. But as the Spirit pulls us into focus, we are reminded that a responsible life—a life that is pointed toward caring for those who are impoverished, afflicted, and disenfranchised to usher in God’s kingdom here on earth—is a joyful and good life.

Prayer:
God, I must confess that I often feel a tension between happiness and responsibility. When that happens, it is easy for me to miss the joy that you desire for all your people. Today, we ask that you help us to see when our personal satisfaction is at odds with your call for us to be stewards who work to see your kingdom here on earth. Help us to embrace this responsibility with unceasing joy. Amen.