Proverbs 31

Part 2

As we dove into this chapter last week, it became clear there is a lot more to Proverbs 31 than the “Perfect Woman/Wife” model. We're only three verses in and have already learned a lot. This week will be no different. I’ll be able to cover four verses! 😉

One thing I wondered as I did this week's research was whether or not Lemuel was a nickname — a term of endearment. His mom has to reprimand him and I wonder if she’s using a special name to soften the blow. “Ah, my Lemuel. My little Lemmy….” Just a thought. I could be wrong.

And it is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave liquor. For if they drink, they may forget their duties and be unable to give justice to those who are oppressed. Liquor is for the dying, and wine for those in deep depression. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. Proverbs 31:4 - 7 — New Living Translation

Don't drink — wise words from the mother of a king. It is a universal truth that alcohol clouds the mind and impairs judgment. In Solomon/Lemuel's case, he could forget about his duty to protect his people; especially the oppressed. I’ll be talking about justice a lot today. Let's just say — TRIGGERED!!

Practically speaking, back then, there weren't many options for pain management. If someone was dying and in pain, alcohol would be supplied to make the passing easier. The alcohol content in wine is relatively low, compared to other liquors. In this scenario, I think wine was suggested for the same reason as alcohol for the dying. There weren't antidepressants back then so what was a depressed person to do? Taking the edge off with wine seemed to be the solution.

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent — the Lord detests them both. Proverbs 17:15 — New International Version

Acquitting the guilty is definitely the norm today — or maybe I just watch too much true crime and listen to too many podcasts. Except…I lived this in my personal life…to a certain degree. I’ll be getting into my previous life a little bit in this article.

Despite what happens today, God doesn't change. He still despises those who practice it. God will seek vengeance on my behalf for the wrongs that were done to me by the Court, on behalf of my ex. Both parties are guilty of messing with God’s daughter.

“Do not twist justice against people simply because they are poor. “Keep far away from falsely charging anyone with evil. Never put an innocent or honest person to death. I will not allow anyone guilty of this to go free.” Exodus 23:6, 7 — New Living Translation

Man! The justice system today is doing everything wrong! Money speaks; police officers arrest the wrong person. God allows free will, but that doesn't mean He’s turning a blind eye to injustice. I have to keep reminding myself that God is a God of justice, law, and order.

In the media lately, there's been a lot of exposure to abuses in various churches that have been going on for years. For whatever reason, they’re coming out now. Literally, only God knows why it took so long. Justice is now a possibility for those victims. The abusers can’t hide behind God’s name any longer. He has exposed them. Since it seems they aren't repentant, God wants nothing to do with them. I’m 100% certain God is sickened by them; especially by them doing their dark, dirty deeds in His name. God will deal with them accordingly.

Just as a reminder, when I talk about my beliefs, I’m doing so as one with knowledge of this faith. Again, I'm not trying to lump my readers into one group, assuming they share my beliefs. I’m merely explaining things, as they are, in my Christian faith. It might come across as matter of fact, seeming to project my beliefs onto those who read this. I am sorry. That’s not my intention at all. I don't have the right to do that. The reason God gives us freewill is so everyone has the right to choose what they want to believe.

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.” Exodus 23: 1-3 — New International Version

Bathsheba was clearly reminding her son of the laws of justice. Nowadays, I don't think there would be any danger of having anyone favor the poor person in a lawsuit. It seems money is the driving force of “justice”, as evidenced by my ex's parent's paying for a lawyer for him during the divorce, while I essentially had to fight the law alone. And had to contend with his buddy-buddiness of knowing all the judges.

I also found it noteworthy to mention that divorce lawsuits weren't a thing back then because women weren't even allowed to file for a divorce. If they were, I’d think the same laws would still apply: don't let money talk and tell the ever lovin’ truth! (Can we go back to this…please??) Alright, here I go….

Recently, one of my kids admitted to me that their dad told them to lie about me on the stand during our divorce trial. First of all, what sick person would willingly coerce their children to testify against a parent??!! Add to that the fact that their dad was a cop — oh, yeah — and he pretends to be a Christian. His whole family does. I’d like to say their despicable (God’s word, not mine) behavior stopped there. It didn't. They then proceeded to spread lies about me and claim the devil got ahold of me. My favorite is that he had convinced said child above that I was crazy. His reasoning: I was calm! Too calm.

On a positive note, that child has started to question things about their dad and his family and slowly started seeing their lies and hypocrisy.

Still, it’s hard watching my children have to grapple with a family who refuses to follow God’s laws — all while professing to be Christians. To be clear, I'm not in a position to judge anyone's heart. That’s God’s job. But God’s Word does say you’ll know other Christians by their behavior and actions. Just sayin’. My solace, first and foremost, is God. He saw it all and is watching still, waiting to make His move of vengeance on my behalf. On a lighter note, I had a weird chance encounter with another lawyer who was at least acquaintances with the ex's lawyer — who hated (yes, it was emphasized), working with the ex.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in Court. For the Lord is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them. Proverbs 22:22, 23 — New Living Translation

See? That's what I'm talking about!

Going back to the abusive leaders who are now being exposed, it shows what happens in a patriarchal society. (Not biblical) It’s a gross abuse of power and God won’t stand for it. He isn't authoritarian with us, so what makes anyone else think they have the right to be? God knows who they are.

One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. Deuteronomy 19:15-19 — New International Version

I used the first part of this to defend one of my kids to their youth leaders at church. They tried to accuse this one of something, based on what one other child in the group said. No other witnesses. Yet, they were convinced my child did it. One of the leaders, the main accuser, didn't like this particular child. You know what there were multiple witnesses of? (I’m talking more than two or three) This particular leader seeking my child out to pick on them and constantly find fault with them. All done in God’s name, of course.

The pastors that have recently been outed, quite publicly, were ones that thought they were judge and jury. Sadly, this is the norm in most churches. Don't call out pastors, and certainly don't show them Scriptures to back up your claims. Oh, the horror! 🤦‍♀️ What they aren't thinking about is, they’re still standing before the Lord on these accusations. He. Knows!

Since there weren't police back then, it was up to the judges to find out what exactly happened. And if the accuser was found to be lying, whatever punishment they wanted for the accused, would become their punishment. Oofta! I wonder if that made them think twice before accusing someone, or if they let pride and arrogance rule them. Humans are humans, after all.

A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. Proverbs 19:5 — New Living Translation

This is what I cling to, and what others who have been treated wrongly, can cling to also. My child apologized for lying about me, but I told them the burden was on their dad because of the emotional and mental abuse he afflicted on all of us. Yes, they knew it was wrong, but they also knew they’d be punished in their dad's way, if they didn’t say what he wanted them to say. God knows all of that, too, and I don't believe this verse condemns people in that circumstance.

An abuse victim will do what they have to do to survive. I also firmly believe this Scripture is talking about people who don't accept responsibility for what they’ve done and their hearts are turned against God. At the end of the day, God is first, and foremost, forgiving.

Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it. Deuteronomy 1:17 — New International Translation

This is Moses speaking. He was basically responsible for making sure all the Israelites (God’s people at the time), understood all the laws. Here, he’s talking about how to conduct justice. Too bad judges don't adhere to this today. Sure, they listen to all types of cases, big and small, but they don't really listen.

I’ll close with one last anecdote pertaining to the middle of this verse. During the nastiness of the divorce, the ex was having my children sneak in when I wasn't home and take pictures of my journal pages. Apparently, then they’d have a slide show of them at their Sunday dinner — you know, after church, where they supposedly worshipped God. Anyway, the last laugh was on them because literally half my journal entries were asking God to take them down and take them out! And I purposefully asked protection against all the kids in the family. They’re innocent. The adults weren't. And God’s living up to His promise. Peg by peg, the adults are being taken down.

Have a blessed day!