Dry for the Sake of Others (Proverbs 31:4-9)

The following reflection comes from a recent Bible journaling experience with a great group of brothers in the Lord. Our assigned text for the day included Proverbs 31:4-9...

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
      it is not for kings to drink wine,
      or for rulers to take strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
      and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
      and wine to those in bitter distress;
let them drink and forget their poverty
      and remember their misery no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
      for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
      defend the rights of the poor and needy.

It should be noted that the king’s wise mother, not just his father, taught him important lessons about life and about how to govern wisely. Since it seems that we live in a dearth of governing wisdom I come looking to learn from this passage. 

Photo by Felipe Ponce
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Secondly, I observe that Lemuel was immediately counseled to avoid alcohol for the sake of justice and mercy. This is such an odd concept since in our Northwest culture even Pastors and Christian leaders freely partake of local wine, whiskey, and microbrews. We don’t like anyone telling us what to do and indulgence is often taken as a sign of spiritual maturity…that somehow we are past all that old-fashioned legalistic stuff. 

However, the reason that the king was to abstain wasn't immaturity but as an expression of the love of God for his people. It was so that the ruler might consistently be both just and merciful. This means suborning personal freedom for the sake of the community's good. It was the king’s job to preserve justice so that the laws might be kept fairly and the rights of the afflicted might not be perverted. Sadly, history is not lacking in examples of kings who put their appetites first to terrible effect on their people. Maybe they didn't have a wise mother to instruct them.

Instead of consuming in privilege, this text may suggest that the king should also be

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 on Unsplash

generously involved in providing merciful “medication” to help meet the needs of those who are suffering. This is something addressed in the New Testament as Paul declared to the Galatian churches,

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. 
Only do not use your freedom as 
an opportunity for the flesh, 
but through love serve one another. 
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Gal. 5:13-14)

Thinking of others first is always a virtue to be pursued. However, our indulged appetites can impair our judgment and lead us to treat other people like things rather than as human beings created in the image of God. What does this passage say to those with cultural privilege in the face of human suffering? How would the Spirit have you apply this concept in your context?

"I am a man" Protest Mural in Memphis, TN
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten
 on Unsplash

Thirdly, the king was not merely to "do no harm" through selfish consumption but was to actively advocate for the voiceless, the powerless, and the resourceless, not for those who already have more than they need. Verses 8-9 make a strong statement that we should not miss. The king was instructed,

Open your mouth for the mute,
             for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
      defend the rights of the poor and needy.

This passage serves to help me remember that to whatever degree I am a godly leader, it is for the purpose of sharing God’s goodness with others and not for serving my own appetites. To whatever degree I have influence I should leverage it for the benefit of the underdog, the poor, and the needy. If I am to do this then I need to be saturated with the Word of God and filled with the Holy Spirit, rather than drunk and otherwise altered by the excesses that the world might provide to one who walks in privilege.

Will I stop talking long enough to listen? 
Will I stop consuming enough to give? 
Will I stop posturing long enough to advocate for others? 
Too often I do not, will not, and craft excuses that exempt me from any self-recrimination.

O Lord, may I become more sensitive, more aware, more responsive, and more loving towards your children (though they may walk disguised). As you have shared with me, gifted me, provided for me, and defended me… work through me to share all the goodness of your love with others.