I saw something the other day that I’ve seen far too many times. A husband sits out in his car smoking a cigarette while he sends his wife into the church to beg for help. I’ve watched men like this remain in the car while we, and his lady, pack heavy boxes of food out to their car. And I want to scream. Be a man!
But maybe that’d just my toxic masculinity talking. Maybe it’s far too outdated for me to expect a guy to actually be strong and use that strength to help others. I wonder if this is what King Lemuel’s mama was feeling when she said, “What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?” She’s watching her son use his strength on himself and it’s breaking her.
When she says, “Don’t give your strength to women” he isn’t talking about proper relationships. It’s connected with her admonition not to give himself to strong drink. You don’t use your strength or power or influence for yourself—you use it for others. That’s what a man does.
King Lemuel has strong drink. Such a thing can be used for medicinal purposes or it can be used for celebration. And so the king has a choice to make. Will he use his influence to heal himself—to make himself merry—or will he spill it out for others? A good king, a good man, will use it for others. He’ll open his mouth (v8-9) for those who can’t.
So for all the talk of a Proverbs 31 woman, I think it’s high time we encourage men to be Proverbs 31 men. Use your God-given strength for others and not yourself. Keep in mind that Jesus refused comfort on the Cross so that you and I could receive ultimate comfort. If you ever want to see a man who gave every bit of his strength for the benefit of others look no further than the Lord Jesus.
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Photo source: here
