Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31 opens with words of advice from a mother to her son, the king. In it she points out a couple of issues to be wary of, the first being not to let a women gain strength over him. This is a warning to be wary of immoral women who do not have the king's or nation's best interest in her heart. Second, she warns against strong drink, for strong drink serves a purpose, to allow those in pain or suffering to be relieved from their pain. For a king to pursue strong drink is to pursue a self-destructive path.
While the bible is very patriarchal in is form and origin, the last half of this chapter extols the virtues of the wise wife, who really keeps things in order behind the scene and whose sheer presence allows a family to prosper. This wife is a multi-tasker who sees with eyes of far-sight.
Psalm 94
If there ever was an honest and raw plea for justice, Psalm 94 is it! You can almost feel the pain and anger of the oppressed in your bones as you hear the psalmists plea. The powerful in the community have tread all over the weak, they have oppressed and abused those who seem to have no other voice but God's. So haughty are the rich and powerful that they taunt God himself.
But the voice of righteous indignation rings out, loudly! (This is the churches present failing. We have become mired in all sorts of disputes, we no longer have the ability to speak with righteous indignation.) Irregardless of the present situation, the psalmist knows, and hence is seen as wise, that God will bring judgment. Woe to those who live and prosper in injustice, they will be brought down! Thank God!
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