Proverbs 31:1-9 GMG Study Week 1

I am an avid reader of Confessions of a Homeschooler and a few weeks ago she announced that she would be hosting Good Morning Girl's latest Bible Study, the Proverbs 31 Woman. I was so thrilled to see a good solid study with so many women that I can do from home! I had been attending Bible Study once a week over at my BFF's house however the drive is almost an hour and I am slowing down tremendously in the last few months of my pregnancy.

I wanted to share with you a few things that I had learned through the first section of the study. This was actually last week's section, but it was so neat to do a study on Proverbs 31 that included these first 9 verses. I'm not sure I can actually say I've really read them or I just have never paid attention to them. What an interesting section that King Lemuel's mother taught him. She thought that not only was it important to show him what a Godly wife looked like, but a few lessons on how to lead as well. Could this be a section on how to lead his people, or on how to lead his wife and future children?

I love that this section opens with his mother calling him son in three different ways. It really shows that my children are not just a gift from Above, they are gifts from my womb whose details and pregnancies I will never forget. I prayed for these children, asked for them and vowed to the Lord to love them, teach them, and pray for them their entire lives. I really need to take more time to teach, play with intention and pray with and for my babies.

Verse 3 was also a key one for me. Even though Lemuel's mother was talking about giving his strength, energy and focus to other women (mistresses), I wonder what takes away from my strength, energy and focus as a mother and leader to my kids? Or what takes away from my ability to lead a Godly example to them and my peers? Yeah, there's an entire list, it definitely will be more of a matter of attention so I can consistently try to be a positive example.

Verses 4-5 talk about how kings should not be taken with wine or strong drink. It is another thing that clouds judgement and un-focuses the king. This is added to my list of "Reasons we don't drink" someday I need to write down all the reasons. I often get into discussions about this with friends. I can defend my reasons logically, but not very well Biblically. Especially as my kids get older I need to find a way to easily talk about this and pin down hard why it is that alcohol is not acceptable.

Seems kind of funny that Lemuel's mother tells him not to drink yet tells him to turn around and give drink to the perishing and those in bitter distress. However my study guide explains that this is possibly a criminal on death row or someone agonizing in pain with a terminal illness or tragic circumstance. These problems are in utter contrast to that of a king and a king (or any leader) needs to be held at a higher standard. Even if it is just us mothers, we need to set the bar and set a higher example. I do believe that his mother was telling him that he needed to take care of his people. Whether it be a drink for medicinal purposes or an invitation to dinner so the hurting can forget their problems for a while and dine with the king, he needs to reach out and give to all ends of his land.

She extends this idea of protecting his kingdom through the last few verses as well. Telling him to defend the rights of the destitute, the poor and the needy; and to judge righteously. How many times do we judge unrighteously? How often do we think we see other's situation "right" and deem them not worthy of our help. There are so many examples and commands through scripture that also tells us (even if we don't think we're in a leadership position) to take care of the poor and needy, the widows and children. Yet another thing to add to the list of "Lord help me do better..."

Can you believe it, this is JUST the first 9 verses, and we haven't even really delved into the goals for a Godly woman that this chapter is so famous for!

If you want to join in... here is the material you will need. We also have a private facebook group for discussion, encouragement and prayer. Let me know if you'd like any further information as well!

The Ebook: http://womenlivingwell.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Proverbs-31-Ebook1.pdf

The study guide: http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Proverbs-31-study-guide.pdf

The reading plan: http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Proverbs31-Soap-Reading-Plan.pdf

and the blog for any other updates: http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

Linked up to Women in the Word Wednesdays at GoodMorningGirls.com