Proverbs 31
starts out with a king’s mother giving him advice. She’s cautioning her son not
to neglect his responsibilities as king.
Her advice (in my very rough translation) is ‘women and/or booze will
take you down, my son. Don’t let it happen! You have a job to do in this world!’
What
is this important job the king and his future wife are to be committed to?
Speak out for those who
cannot speak, and also for the rights of all the destitute. Also, make
sure you’re able to judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor
and needy (vs. 8-9)
If mom has her way, the king and his virtuous wife (assuming he finds
her!) will both be committed to this purpose. The relationship will
include mutual support, not desperate clinginess. This woman won’t derive worthiness or identity
entirely from her husband, and because of this they will both be able to contribute
to their (joint) task with greater capability, resolve, competence, and
purpose. This woman seems healthy and well rounded; she might embody what developmental theorists would call ‘resolved’ or ‘mature’ … because she knows who she is and has
the ability to be selfless. She has a solid identity, which paves the way
for genuine intimacy, and opens the door for all sorts of good stuff to enter her home and life.
In the past I’ve read Proverbs 31 and seen a
woman who kept it all together, did all the right things, managed her household, business, and other interests - while sewing her own clothing … and
I thought I must be a disorganized schmuck.
Today, reading from the king's mothers perspective and keeping their mutual purpose in mind... i saw her in a brand new light.
** The images in this post come from an artist's blog called
I love the insight you offer into this passage. That unique perspective does shed new light on ch. 31 and I've never looked at it that way. Amen to the husband and wife's "joint task" ! Blessings, Scarlett
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