Lust Can Destroy Us, Despite Our Wisdom – (Proverbs 31:1-3)

Daily Bible Study
This chapter of Proverbs consists of two poems, one is of the wise king and the other is of the excellent wife. They both portray godly women as their main focus. King Lemuel is unknown to history; however Jewish tradition says this is really King Solomon. In this verse from the first poem we see the advice, "not to give our strength to women." This was advice from a wise mother of the future king. The key to this verse is the word "women." This verse is not speaking of man and wife or a monogamous relationship. Instead, it is speaking against multiple women or mistresses, concubines as the Old Testament called a harem of women. And unfortunately we know from history that this was the one piece of advice King Solomon refused to follow.

One of the things which destroyed King Solomon was his many wives. He started out well with wisdom from the Lord; however, he married over six hundred women from many pagan people groups, in addition to having several hundred concubines. Many of these were marriage alliances with other kingdoms. However, these marriage alliances were against the Lord's commandments to Solomon. As a result, they drew his heart away from God. So what this verse is warning against is a man who has many girlfriends, or the man who is married and has mistresses is destroying his own life. Doing this will not only lead to one's own destruction, in addition in God's eyes this is adultery. We have to remember right and wrong is set by what God determines and not by the social tolerance of the society we live in. Therefore sin will always create consequences, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of those around us.