Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.1
Isn’t it interesting that a compilation of practical wisdom begins a chapter with parental advise? Parents are the primary source of a child’s character formation. A mother’s nurturing or lack of it sets the condition of a child’s heart; a father’s leadership or lack of it sets their trajectory.2
Similarly interesting, the compilation ends a chapter with the words of a king and the teachings he recalls from his mother. The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?3 Words, yes! Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits.4 Choose words that strengthens, encourages, and comforts. Words have creative power. God created the universe and every living creature by speaking and breathing it into being.5
What are you doing, my son? You have a name that determines your identity. When God created man he created them man and woman and assigned their tasks.6 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.7 They were God’s creation; likened in his image. Thus, when they erred, God was very concerned. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Like reminding him, “Have you forgotten whose you are?”
What are you doing, son of my womb? I raised you; I cared for you. You are set apart and unique. Whose voice do you listen to? The noise and lies of the world or the Spirit’s low whisper?8 If you believe in the finish work of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and proclaim him as Lord,9 you have been adopted as son with every spiritual blessing!10
What are you doing, son of my vows? God entered into a covenant relationship with Israel, not because they were numerous or powerful, but because the LORD loves them.11 God promised them freedom and to take possession of the land that was assigned to them; he put parameters to direct their steps for their protection.12 Intermarriage was a red-flag! You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve their gods.13 Unfortunately, man’s heart was naturally wicked; and they ignored God’s covenant. It only took a generation. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.14
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.15
An excellent wife who can find? She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain (many more good traits are enumerated).16 Most importantly, she fears the LORD.17
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.18 “. . . whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”19
Notes:
1. Proverbs 1:8
2. Psalm 127:4
3. Proverbs 31:1-2
4. Proverbs 18:21
5. Genesis 1:1-2:23; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-20
6. Genesis 1:26-30
7. Genesis 1:27; 2:7-24
8. 1 Kings 19:9-13
9. Romans 10:8-10
10. Ephesians 1:3-14
11. Deuteronomy 7:6-11
12. Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
13. Deuteronomy 7:3-4a
14. Judges 2:10-11
15. Proverbs 1:23
16. Proverbs 31:10-22, 24-31
17. Proverbs 31:30
18. Romans 12:1-2
19. Proverbs 1:22-33
