Lesson 13 *March 21–27

Women and Wine

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 31, Job 29:15, Proverbs 8, 1 Cor. 1:21, Rev. 14:13.

Memory Text: Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink (Proverbs 31:3-4, NKJV).

The book of Proverbs began with the teachings of a father (Prov. 1:1, 8; 4:1) and ends with the teachings of a mother (Prov. 31:1). The name Lemuel may allude to Solomon; if so, then Lemuel’s mother is Solomon’s mother, and she warns her son against the two most serious threats to the king: wine and women.

The association of wine and women is deliberate. To be efficient as a ruler, the king has to be careful of the influences he faces, and these two factors can be very powerful. Though the right woman could be beneficial, alcohol is only trouble.

The father’s introduction was concerned with the spiritual acquisition of wisdom. Now, the mother’s conclusion is concerned with applying wisdom in real life. For the spiritual principles taught by the father would mean nothing if the practical advice offered by the mother were not followed.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 28.

SundayMarch 22

A Toast To Life?

In many cultures, drinking alcohol is associated with life. People raise a glass and wish one another a long life, though the irony is that each glass works toward destroying life. Nicely designed bottles, poetic and funny drinking songs, clever commercials, and even some scientific findings all comfort drinkers in their idea that alcohol is good for them. Proverbs has already warned us against this deadly deception (Prov. 23:30–35). Now the theme reappears, showing us even more damage that drinking can bring.

Read Proverbs 31:4-5, 8-9. Together, what do they say, and how does their message apply to every follower of the Lord, not just the king?

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In similar language, Job describes himself as being eyes to the blind, and . . . feet to the lame (Job 29:15, NKJV). Likewise the king or those with means should help support the poor and the needy — those who are speechless in that they don’t have a voice because no one listens to them.

The destructive effect of wine can also be seen in how it can so easily distort one’s judgment. While alcohol is bad enough for common folks, for a king or someone with power, alcohol can create terrible situations. The drinking king not only forgets the law and does not know what is right, but he subsequently issues distorted judgments: the guilty are declared innocent, and the innocent guilty.

What is at stake here is the capacity to discern between right and wrong, good and evil. The prohibition of wine drinking has to do with basic wisdom and, as such, should apply to every human being. It is noteworthy that this concern is precisely the reason implied in the special prohibition of drinking for the priest: that you may distinguish between holy and unholy (Lev. 10: 9-10, NKJV).

Who hasn’t seen the devastating effects of alcohol in so many lives? How can you help others, especially the young, stay clear of what can bring only harm to them and to others?

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MondayMarch 23

A Toast To Death

Read Proverbs 31:6-7. How are we to understand these texts?

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A quick reading of these verses gives the impression that Lemuel’s mother allows the consumption of wine or any other alcohol for the person who is about to die (vs. 6) or for the person who suffers from depression (vs. 7). This reading, however, would contradict not only the immediate context — Lemuel’s mother has just warned the king against wine drinking — but also the general context of the book of Proverbs, which systematically and emphatically prohibits wine drinking.

In addition, it hardly makes sense to offer something to the perishing that would only make their health and well-being worse. And giving alcohol to a depressed person is like giving salt to someone who is already dehydrated. If, as we know, God cares about our bodies and our health, it doesn’t make sense to see these texts, especially in context, encouraging the use of alcohol.

More important, an analysis of the use of the expression who is perishing in the book of Proverbs reveals that it is always associated with the wicked (Prov. 10:28; Prov. 11:7, 10; Prov. 19:9; Prov. 21:28; Prov. 28:28). Through the expression who is perishing, Lemuel’s mother points in fact, by association, to the wicked. As for the expression bitter of heart, it refers to the depressed person (Prov. 31:6, NKJV), who like the wicked becomes insensitive and forgets poverty (Prov. 31:7).

Satan gathered the fallen angels together to devise some way of doing the most possible evil to the human family. One proposition after another was made, till finally Satan himself thought of a plan. He would take the fruit of the vine, also wheat, and other things given by God as food, and would convert them into poisons, which would ruin man’s physical, mental, and moral powers, and so overcome the senses that Satan should have full control. Under the influence of liquor, men would be led to commit crimes of all kinds. Through perverted appetite the world would be made corrupt. By leading men to drink alcohol, Satan would cause them to descend lower and lower in the scale. — Ellen G. White, Temperance, p. 12.

TuesdayMarch 24

A Virtuous Woman

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Prov. 31:10).

Who is the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:10? A number of indications suggest that the author has more in mind than a godly woman or the ideal wife. Following the lead of many passages of the book (Prov. 1:20–33, Prov. 3:13–20, Prov. 4:5–9, Proverbs 8), we have good reason to think that the virtuous woman represents wisdom. This personification of wisdom as a woman is justified not only because the Hebrew word for wisdom, chokmah, is a feminine noun, but because it also allows the Hebrew writer to draw all kinds of concrete lessons for our daily life. Wisdom is not pictured as some lofty and unreachable ideal, but as a very practical and approachable woman who could become our life companion.

This last teaching about wisdom is given through a beautiful acrostic poem: each verse begins with a Hebrew letter following the alphabetic order, as in the book of Lamentations and in many psalms.

Compare the text on wisdom in Proverbs 8 with our text on the virtuous woman. What features of the virtuous woman remind us of wisdom in the book of Proverbs?

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1. She is precious and worth finding (Prov. 31:10, 8:35). 

2. Her worth is more than rubies (Prov. 31:10; Prov. 8:10-11, 18-19). 

3. She provides food (Prov. 31:14, Prov. 8:19). 

4. She is strong (Prov. 31:17, 25; Prov. 8:14). 

5. She is wise (Prov. 31:26, Prov. 8:1). 

6. She is praised (Prov. 31:28, Prov. 8:34).

Though we live in the so-called information age, and though we have acquired so much more knowledge than had previous generations, there’s little to indicate that our generation is any wiser than previous generations. Indeed, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:21. What does it say to you, and how can this idea help you live by faith?

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WednesdayMarch 25

She Works

The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is not lazy; she works hard and is very active. The poem insists on this quality (Prov. 31:27), which characterizes the wise versus the fool (Prov. 6:6; Prov. 24:33-34). The field of her activities is comprehensive and concrete. To be spiritual does not mean that we should be idle, all under the pretext that we are concerned with highly important religious issues, and thus do not have time to take care of trivial matters. (See Luke 16:10.) The woman willingly works with her hands (Prov. 31:13, NKJV). It is interesting that this very spiritual person is never depicted praying or meditating. She is shown as an efficient and productive woman, much like Martha of the Gospels (Luke 10:38–40).

Read Proverbs 31:12, 15, 18. Why is the woman always working?

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The woman works all the days of her life (vs.12), even during the night (vss.15, 18). Her active and watchful presence is effective all the time. The reason for her constant attention is her responsibility.

Read Proverbs 31:20, 25. What is the temporal scope of her projects?

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Here we touch on an important point regarding our work and effort: it will be tested by time. Only the future will testify to the quality of our deeds. To work wisely is to work with the future in mind, not just for an immediate reward.

Though not quite dealing with the same thing, the principle in the following text from Revelation is so important: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them (Rev. 14:13).

If you have a special woman (a wife, mother, other family member, teacher, boss, or friend) in your life, what can you do to show your appreciation for her and for all she has done for you?

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ThursdayMarch 26

She Cares

Read Proverbs 31:26–31. What other important characteristics are seen in this woman? Why are these important for all of us, regardless of who we are?

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As we have seen all through this quarter, an emphasis is placed on words, on what we say. The woman is known for her wisdom and for her kindness. They are related. After all, couldn’t one argue that kindness is another form of wisdom, especially when we understand that wisdom isn’t just what we know but what we say and do?

Notice, too, the phrase the law of kindness. That is, kindness isn’t just some fleeting attribute that escapes from her mouth now and then. It is a law, a principle of her very existence. How powerful it would be if the law of kindness were to guide all that came out of our mouths.

Read Proverbs 31:30. What important point is revealed here that is so often forgotten?

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All too often women are rated only in terms of outward appearance; that’s such a shallow and superficial marker. The Bible points out just how vain, how empty, that kind of attitude ultimately is. This woman’s true beauty is found in her character and how that character is made manifest in her life and works. Beauty will always pass away; character can endure forever. A great name among men is as letters traced in sand, but a spotless character will endure to all eternity. — Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 81.

In what areas of your life do you need to see your character improve? Praying about it is fine, but what concrete positive steps must you take in order to see growth?

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FridayMarch 27

Further Study: When indulging their appetite for wine and while under its exciting stimulus, their reason was clouded, and they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common. Contrary to God’s express direction, they [Nadab and Abihu] dishonored Him by offering common instead of sacred fire. God visited them with His wrath; fire went forth from His presence and destroyed them. — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 295.

Let the children and youth learn from the Bible how God has honored the work of the everyday toiler. . . . Let them read . . . of the wise woman described in the Proverbs, who seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands; who giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens; who planteth a vineyard, and strengtheneth her arms; who stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, . . . reacheth forth her hands to the needy; who looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:13, 15, RV; Prov. 31:16, 17, 20, 27. — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 217.

Discussion Questions: