In the last chapter of the book of Proverbs, we hear the words of a mother giving advice to her son. This isn't just any mother; this is the mother of a king.

In the first few verses she advises him against wine and strong drink. Her view is that wine and strong drink is not for kings. If kings drink too much they will forget the decrees they have made, and the rights of the people will not be protected.

She suggests that wine and strong drink should be used by the poor, so they might forget their misery. This was probably good advice for her son, but I wouldn't endorse prescribing wine and strong drink for the poor.

In the last part of the chapter, the king's mother describes her idea a worthy woman. I presume she is advising her son on the subject of choosing a wife.

Her idea of a worthy woman is a person who would be described by many in this day and age as a compulsive workaholic. According to verse fifteen, "she rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. According to verse eighteen, "her lamp does not go out at night."

The king's mother would say that a good wife begins her work early in the day, and works late into the night. Her entire family wears only the finest clothing, which she has made for them. She has made this fine clothing working with wool and flax and willing hands. She would be a gardener, a cook, and a businessperson. She would be a weaver and a seamstress. Her own clothing would always look great, just as the clothing of her husband would always have to look great.

Her description isn't romantic, and isn't particularly religious. It does not describe the type of woman I want my son to marry.

I tease my son about girls on occasion. Lately I've been telling him that he should marry a doctor. My reasoning is strictly financial, and he doesn't welcome my advice on this subject. When I start teasing him about girls, he usually walks away from me.

Actually I do hope that some day he will fall in love with a girl who also loves him. I hope that God will cause their love for one another to grow, and shower them with blessings. I hope they grow old together loving each other more each day and each passing year. I hope they raise their children and get to see their grandchildren grow to become decent adults. In my view, having love for one another is more important than productivity.

To sum things up, here is what we have so far in the last chapter of the book of Proverbs. We have advice from a mother to her son. Her son happens to be a king. She gave her son good advice concerning wine and strong drink. I am less than impressed with her suggestion that the poor should use wine and strong drink to forget their troubles.

She describes the worthy woman in terms of productivity. Virtue is mentioned as well, but love for her husband and children, which I think is really important isn't mentioned.

I am giving this chapter in the Bible less than a resounding endorsement, but there are two verses in this chapter that ought to serve as an example to husbands everywhere. In verses 29 and 30 there is an example of how a husband might praise such a wife.

He says, "Many women have done excellently but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

It is good that this husband would let his wife know that she is appreciated. It is something that will help their love for one another grow. Husbands, it is good to tell your wife why you appreciate her, and continue to remind her that you love her. Wives, it is good to do the same for your husbands.

May God lead and guide the husbands and wives of this congregation to a greater love for one another. God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Birk