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Last Updated on : Saturday, October 11, 2014

 

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selah

 

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Chapter 7

Lemuel's Mother


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SISTERS can play a most important part in the home by encouraging their husbands in the work of the Truth, and encouraging that small congregation with which Yahweh has blessed them, their children, in the way of righteousness.

How often can the influence of faithful women be traced through the Word. At least ten sisters are commended by Paul in Romans 16. Let sisters guide their children wisely, by directing them to the things of God, and impressing them with the importance of "seeking first the kingdom of Gad, and His righteousness," in the assurance that all necessary things will be added by our "heavenly Father who knoweth that we have need" of them (Matt. 6:32-33).

Wise indeed was the teaching which king Lemuel's mother conveyed to her son (Prov. 31:1). Let us recognise that the words of this exemplary woman bear the seal of divine inspiration. In view of the wholesomeness of such instruction, well might the inspired writer of Proverbs enjoin his readers to "forsake not the law of thy mother."

"Bind them," says he, referring to parental admonitions, "continually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy neck.¾

How do we stand, dear sisters, as touching the instruction which we convey to our sons. Is it worthy of the treatment above described? The wise mother of the Book of Proverbs sought to brace up her son for the requirements of his responsible position, and to warn him against the sins which would be peculiar to it. By this example being placed before us, it is evidently one which God would have us follow. Ere long, to all appearances, thTruth's affairs will be largely in the hands of the children of mthe brethren and sisters. Should these coming custodians mof God's work fall short in regard to their great privilege mand responsibility, let it not be through failure on our part mto counsel them wisely.

As a means of discharging our duty, let us hold aloft those standards of manly excellence which God Himself has provided. Let us teach our sons that God looks not to faultless clothing and distinguished appearance, or to education and rank, or to powers of oratory. These things are not so much as named in God's list of the necessary qualifications of a tried man. What God requires is a man who has behind him a career of self-restraint and plodding, nhumble work. Let us put our sons in the way of serving an apprenticeship in such necessary qualities as industry, purity, vigilance, sobriety, modesty, hospitality, aptitude forlearning, from those instructed in the Word, and for teaching, when in contact with the alien, and in the Sunday School. Let us counsel them to be temperate, not given to the love of money and covetousness, or to quarrelling, striving and unseemly contention (1 Tim. 3:2,3). Let us encourage them to be faithful and regular¾ in the ecclesial meetings, but let us not fail to point out in connection with this, that the object in view must be the exaltation of God, and not self, and that the man who reverses the Scriptural injunction to be swift to hear and slow to speak is no blessing to his brethren and sisters.¾

Were king Lemuel's mother in our midst, we may be sure that she would not only emphasise all these matters in the ears of her son, but that she would forewarn, and so forearm him against those sins of the last days which Paul so vividly predicted. Said this faithful servant of God: "Menshall be ... despisers of those that are good." We have only to mention a good man's name, be he prophet or apostle, to find how rampant is this sin in the world. And who has not seen it at work even in the ecclesias?

Let us strive to fortify our sons against this woeful sin of these rast days by teaching them to respect those, who, from years of exemplary work in the Truth, are undoubtedly good men from the divine standpoint. Let us remember, however, that our sons are not likely to respect the brethren unless they are first taught to revere and listen to their parents. Disobedience to parents is another unholy trait which Paul indicated would be a feature of the present time. Let us early direct our energies towards securing from our sons, dutiful behaviour towards both father and mother. He who despises father and mother, and those whom God esteems, must, of necessity, be a despiser of God.

Lemuel's mother appealed to her son on the ground of his kingly office. Our sons do not hold this high position. In the mercy of God, however, the gospel has called them, no less than ourselves, to the ruler ship of the age to come, and as shown by Paul, we can appeal to them on the ground of what is seemly conduct for those who will enter upon the exalted position of kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. As Paul indicated to Timothy, there is an etiquette divinely prescribed for the "house of God," and it is necessary that this be learnt and observed by those who desire to associate with the immortal royalties of the future.

How to advise Lemuel concerning his choice of a wife was undoubtedly a matter of grave concern with his mother. She adopts the expedient of placing before him a word picture of the traits to be found in an exemplary woman. The picture exhibits a large hearted, generous, industrious housewife, bracing herself up to the performance of service without stint. To her husband she is loyal,

To her children faithful, to her employees considerate, with hand stretched forth to the needy. Her whole career is regulated by divine counsel: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness." How beautiful to behold is the outcome! Praised by her husband, blessed by her children, and in favour with God: "A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." A Godfearing woman may have to endure scorn from the unfaithful, but the praise from on high is certain.

-- Sis. C.J.

 

 


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