08 May 2022 - An Inflection Point
The Coordinated Rebellion Against America by The Left on Mother's Day
The celebrations have concluded and it is worth reflecting on the signficance of why we gather to celebrate Mother’s Day. In so doing, we can consider some of the unprecedented actions underway at the very moment that we honor all of the mothers in this world and especially our own. All that we are now observing all across America is nothing short of a coordinated rebellion.
It is on this same week that we gather to celebrate the nurturing and loving relationship of a Mother that the opinion rendered by the Supreme Court in the Roe-v-Wade decision of nearly 50 years ago is being reconsidered by the court. An opinion was being developed by the court and being reviewed by the Supreme Court justices and this opinion was leaked by a member of the Supreme Court staff to a media reporter who then published this private deliberation by the court into the public sphere.
The opinion is being attacked for what is falsely accused as a repeal of abortion, and while abortion is the death of a living soul - the most innocent and most in need of protection, the opinion does not as the false accusations claim - outlaw abortion. It properly pushes the legal choice and administration of abortion back to the individual states where the local populations in those states may be allowed to put the topic to a vote. This is in line with the democratic republic and constitutional form of government and protocols that the United States has preserved for more than 200 years.
To see the flawed ruling of the prior Supreme Court of 1973 be corrected in a way that preserves the democratic institution and peoples choice should be celebrated and not attacked. As we consider the intentional leaking of the draft opinion and the intentional attacks and protests outside of the homes of Supreme Court justices, it appears that we are headed toward a form of Civil War in this nation. God gave man government to restrain evil and when the people rebel against law and order, this can be characterized as a rebellion against God and a move toward anarchy.
What can we observe at the core of this rebellion taking root in our nation? What are we to conclude as discord increases and as hatred by those in rebellion grows daily? Can we understand the root cause of this rebellion and confront it with the tools that God provides?
The issues in our nation are deeply spiritual
Consider now how the people of this nation are raising their fists against God. It is a clear and open rebellion driven by pride and personal interest. The time we occupy was so precisely described by Paul in his letter to Timothy.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. — 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASBS
Do we see this today? Truly we do. Consider the protests being made today:
When there is life in the womb - they say you can abort (kill) that life
When God creates Male and Female - they say you can change that
Ultimately they that are in rebellion are seeking to quench Christianity and attempt to silence the living God. Christians in CA and NY are standing in the battle for our kids and our grandkids. We cannot not run to other locations nor flee from these locations in need of truth that is opposed to evil. We must remain and be courageous! And one of the most courageous members of a family is the mother. Today we can honor the value, courage, character, work, and praise of our mothers and in so doing, we affirm the Godly character of a woman of valor.
Description of a worthy woman
Proverbs 31: 10-30
As we consult the Word of God to review qualities of an honorable woman we notice the context of how this Proverb is written. It begins by making reference to a King named Lemuel who was looking back upon what his Mother taught him. This would presumably be the role model for the perfect woman in Israel. This would be the lifetime characteristics that could be considered as what to strive for as a woman and it is presented as the characteristics given by the mother of King Lemuel to her son. There are three areas that we can explore:
Her value
Her activity
Her praise
Her motive
I. Her Value
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
— Proverbs 31:10 NASBS
Notice that the reference is here at the beginning of the section that describes a worthy woman is that of worth that is “far above” jewels” — this is an almost unattainable level of perfection and it is most precious. Consider as you ponder these Proverbs 31 passages that these are referencing the qualities, character, and action of a woman from a lifetime of experience.
Proverbs 31 is therefore an aspirational state that would be desired but also recognized as unattainable as an example that could be conducted at all times. This Proverb offers a target of perfection of a woman in Israel 3000 years ago.
II. Her Activity
The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
—Proverbs 31:11-12 NASBS
We take note of the woman’s priority toward her husband. Her top priority is bringing good to her husband and the author is painting a picture of her commitment. At the time of this Proverbs writing, the battle of the sexes positioned women to be a lesser value than men. So as we consider how a woman values and prioritizes her husband in the beginning of this passage we note that the heart of the husband trusts his wife. Note also what is expressed explicitly in this opening passage — the wife does the husband good and not evil all the days of her life. Consider how this passage does not prioritize her children over the care for her husband. Eve was made for Adam and not for Cain and Able. A wife is never to make her children the number one priority within the household. The focus is on husband toward wife and wife toward husband creates unity as one and the kids are along for the ride.
She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
—Proverbs 31:13-14 NASBS
We note several important activities or character that defines her activity in passages 13-14.
A hard worker
A good investor
Working brings delight
She is willing to work
She is prudent in her work
She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
— Proverbs 31:15 NASBS
Throughout the COVID-19 experience beginning in 2020, we have seen an increasing laziness in regard to work for many in the population who have the alternative of working from home. The idea of staying in your pajamas as an “all day” scenario would have never crossed the mind of the woman described in Proverbs 31:15. She is an early riser waking up before sunrise and providing food to her family (her household) and also making sure there were portions for others who helped her (her maidens).
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.— Proverbs 31:16 NASBS
This is a woman that is thoughtful and discerning in her finances. She is more Costco and less Bristol Farms in her shopping. She considers a field. This implies that she put thought into the costs and the effort to use the field to provide for the family. She is using her earnings to purchase the field and additionally from her earnings, she plants a vineyard. This is no small undertaking and while these attributes may connect to significant earnings, the activity is the focus of the passage. She gives thought to proper financial decisions. She acts in the best interest of the household to secure and expand the income that provide for the household.
She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
— Proverbs 31:17-18 NASBS
We see in passages 17-18 a picture of her craft. Her strength, her strong arms, Her sense that gain is good, and her attention toward a household provision that does not expire. This woman is a self-starter. She is not running after all the “free stuff” but instead she is willing to do the work to provide for her household. She is actively and vigorously (with her strength) working to garner income for the house. It is very normal for the wife to help generate income even while she looks after the children. Consider some references within the Bible starting with Ruth. We see Ruth’s work ethic and the way that she was deliberate in choosing to care for her Mother-in-Law Naomi. She was deliberate in working hard in the fields as she was gleaning grain. Her work effort was so notable that it was noticed by Boaz, the owner of the field. He noticed Ruth because of her strength, and character and motivation to work hard. It is what set her apart from the other women gleaning in his field. It was her hard work that Boaz noticed and not her beautiful Mediterranean skin aglow in the light of the day. This is a quality of great worth. The strong and dedicated woman who assures the household provisions.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
— Proverbs 31:19-20 NASBS
We notice multiple references to hands. She is reaching out to work with tools and systems that were a part of the agrarian society of this time. She did not order someone else to do this work — it was work that she embraced. We also notice that she stretched out her hands to those in need. Now it is important to distinguish those in need from those who feign need but are actually in rebellion and are expressing that rebellion through laziness. Much of what we seen in California is not actual homelessness born of need. It is rebellion.
Ponder the rebellion of those that could work — who are able bodied young men — who choose to participate in substance abuse — who have become addicted and lazy — who are then subsidized by the state — put into nice hotels that quickly degrade into filth — and encouraged to keep participating in their abhorrent reckless behavior because it is both condoned and subsidized. These are not the the people that the woman of Proverbs 31:19-20 is making an effort to help. She is helping those who are in true need and we see this painting a picture of her compassion. She is stretching to do the “worthy deed” and not necessarily the “easy task.” She strives for the challenging task.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
— Proverbs 31:21 NASBS
This is a woman that is known for her fine work. Her careful preparation of necessary clothing in advance means that she is not afraid of sudden changes in weather, for they will not catch her unprepared. Being prepared is a continual refrain within Proverbs 31. We see that this is a woman that is known for her fine work. This reference continues in the next three passages.
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
— Proverbs 31:22-24 NASBS
This is a woman that lives in a state of preparation. She has done her planning and she has made the commitment. Notice also the reference to fine linen and purple which indicates clothing of beauty and considerable expense, appropriate visual indications of the excellence of her work and character. She is also keenly aware of her husband and his responsibility within the community as he sits among the elders of the land. Gates were the center of civic and economic life in an Israelite city, where the leading men gathered. The wife’s excellent work and noble character have contributed significantly to her husband’s success and reputation when he sits among the elders of the land. Making linen garments and sashes, which she sells to the merchant, indicates skill in creating clothing of beauty and value. Such activity exemplifies a high degree of entrepreneurial skill and responsibility in making financial decisions and undertaking commercial activity.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
— Proverbs 31:25 NASBS
She is aware that there will be hard times. Strength and dignity are so much a part of her character and conduct that they seem to be almost like her clothing. She laughs at the future, in contrast with being worried or fearful about it. She responds in faith. She prepares and she will not be overwhelmed by circumstances. Consider another wonderful example of a worthy woman from the Bible. Consider Queen Esther from the book of the Bible named after her. Esther’s character matures over the course of the biblical narrative. As a girl she is recruited for the king’s harem because of her unparalleled physical beauty. But at a key moment in the book (chapter 4), she rises to the challenge to risk her own life for the salvation of her people. At that point, she transforms her status as queen from a position of personal privilege to one of power and public responsibility.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
— Proverbs 31:26 NASBS
This is a woman that speaks openly. She has a kindness in her teaching and we notice a picture of her coaching. She is pouring out the truth of God’s word in scripture to her children. Although Proverbs has often used men as concrete examples of wisdom, the proverbs apply equally well to women, and the wisdom that God teaches in Proverbs can be well understood by both men and women.
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
— Proverbs 31:27 NASBS
This is a woman that is on the lookout and she is motivated. She will not allow for laziness in her household. In the passage it states that “She looks well to the ways of her household” and this focuses on this woman’s diligence in caring for her home and her children and servants. Her rejection of idleness embodies one of the chief virtues of Proverbs.
III. Her Praise
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
— Proverbs 31:28-29 NASBS
Her children and her husband sing her praises. They hold this woman in higher esteem than all other women. It’s like the entire family rising up in the restaurant and proclaiming that while there are lots of wonderful woman in the world, their mom is the best mom there! In a loving family, the members recognize the value of each other. Here the children and husband offer praise. Verse 29 gives the words of the family. Excellently recalls “excellent” in verse 10.
IV. HER MOTIVE
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
— Proverbs 31:30 NASBS
In this short passage shown in Proverbs 31:30 there is so much to unpack. This is as true today as it was 3000 years ago. Her motives are true because she is a woman that fears the LORD and she shall be praised. She knows that charm is deceitful. A current-day version of this woman would not value excessive makeup and cleavage to attract attention. She would not be ensnared by shameless social media photos and videos that demonstrate a low value of her perceived worth. The mention of a woman who fears the LORD at the end of this long list of excellent qualities brings back the theme of the book of Proverbs stated in 1:7 (see note). It reminds readers that this woman excels in her fear of the Lord, and therefore that she is a model of the character traits and wisdom taught throughout the book’s 31 chapters. The appearance of this woman’s fear of the Lord at the end of this list is also a reminder that this quality is more important than even great skill and talent, and is foundational to the wise and right use of all activities and skills. A godly woman may well have outward charm and beauty, but these are of secondary importance to her godliness.
This description of a worthy woman sets a high bar. It will take many years to attain these qualities and characteristics and as referenced earlier, this is unlikely to be attained simultaneously and certainly not in total by a woman of young age. We see this a picture of grace and beauty that can be realized by a woman that puts God first in her household and by that priority and fear the LORD, God will make her a woman of courage and strength.
Who was King Lemuel?
King Lemuel is mentioned as the author of Proverbs 31, at least of the first nine verses. Proverbs 31:1 introduces this section: “The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” So, as Lemuel was growing up, his mother gave him sage advice, which he later arranged in poetic form and recorded for the ages. The whole process was supervised by the Holy Spirit, and the result was “an inspired utterance”—Holy Scripture (see 2 Peter 1:21).
We don’t know much about King Lemuel, other than what is revealed in Proverbs 31. The name Lemuel means “for God” or “devoted to God.” Based on the one passage attributed to Lemuel, we know that Lemuel was a king, he had a wise mother, and he wrote some poetry. Many commentators have surmised that Lemuel is actually King Solomon—in which case the mother would be Bathsheba. It could be that Lemuel was a pet name for Solomon, used by his mother in tender address, and that Solomon wrote down her advice in the manner she would have expressed it. Another theory is that Lemuel is actually King Hezekiah.
A third theory is that Lemuel and his mother are fictional characters created by Solomon as a picture of an ideal king and queen mother. This would seem to be less probable since it would not be consistent with the tradition and ethics of truth that is the core of wisdom literature recorded in the Bible.
The counsel from King Lemuel’s mother is good advice for any leader of men. She warns Lemuel not to fall into the trap of immorality; chasing after women will sap a king’s strength (Proverbs 31:3). Then she warns her son against the dangers of alcohol; a drunken king is never a good king. A ruler who craves beer and wine will pervert justice and act lawlessly (verses 4–7).
Finally, King Lemuel’s mother instructs her son about the necessity of true justice: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, / for the rights of all who are destitute. / Speak up and judge fairly; / defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9). May the Lord grant us many rulers like King Lemuel who heed this advice of a queen mother on ruling well.