Wisdom - Part 32

The lesson on June 23, 2024 was part 32 and the final lesson in this “Wisdom” study. Wayne briefly covered what we learned in the prior lesson but proceeded into the last chapter of Proverbs. We looked again at the structure of the book in whole where we reviewed what the Companion Bible notes showed us. Proverbs opened up with “The Words of the Wise” for Solomon. For a Prince and A King. It ends with “The Words of Agur” and “The Words of Lemuel”. For Solomon. For A Prince and a King. Proverbs 1:1-9 covers the warnings for leadership in regards to women and wine. Proverbs 31:10-31 gives examples for leadership with the description of the model woman. These 22 verses formed an Acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. The first word in each verse starts with the Hebrew letter from 1 thru 22. We also are reminded that Solomon didn’t apply this wisdom because we learned from 1 Kings 11:4-8 KJV “4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” The lesson ended with looking at the model woman. Proverbs 31:10-12 KJV says “10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

The scripture reading was from Proverbs 31:1-10 KJV “1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.