Words of a Mother

 Words of a mother

King Lemul’s mom was a wise woman (Proverbs 31:1-9). We don’t know who she was (or her son for that matter) but her words of wisdom live on. The Hebrew word translated prophesy in verse one is “a burden” and when it refers to a prophetic word, it’s a burden of the heart (cf. Nahum 1:1; Habakkuk 1:1; Zechariah 9:1; Malachi 1:1). Her burden was the instruction she had for her son. A burden that could only be lifted  by getting it out of her head and into Lemul’s. The Lord burdened her heart and it would have crushed her unless she spoke. She was a wise woman because she told her son what he needed to hear. I’m sure his mother told him a great many things. She probably told about how to behave in public, how to dress, and how to wash his face.  But she also had important conversations with her son.  She was wise because she taught her son truth.

She reminded Lemul what she endured to bring him in the world, carrying him in her womb those many months. The morning sickness, the sleepless nights, the labor pains. He was the son of her vows, the son she longed for, prayed for. The son God had given her and she didn’t take that lightly. This wasn’t merely guilt manipulation, but a reminder of her authority and love for her son. 

Proverbs 31:1-9 are the words his mother told him and when the king took power, his mind returned to those the lessons of his youth. Mothers have a lot of power. That’s why the government wants your kids in their control as early as possible. Proverbs 22:6  is a warning and a promise. There is a right way and and wrong way to train up a child, and most of the time, that training will stick, for good or ill. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Lemul had a mother that shaped her son’s mind in truth and when he was old, he didn’t forget. She prepared him for his future personal life and future employment as king. “It’s not for kings” to drink. That’s not how kings act. The dying and sick may relieve his pain, the downcast can relieve his mind, but the king has no such luxury. It may be acceptable the way for others, but not for you. She encourages him to do right. He needs to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves and stand up for the powerless.

Christian mother, you have a most important job. Train your child to walk with Christ. In 18 years, there are 936 Lord’s Days. That’s a lot, but not an unlimited quantity, will you bring your kids to church? Will you tell them about Jesus? Will you teach them how to live, like Lemul’s mom did?