There is a piece of advice that never really disappears from one's memory. The words may be spoken in a simple conversation at home, but their meaning continues to accompany the journey of life. More often than not, such advice comes from a mother, one who knows her child not only as a person, but also as a hope entrusted by God. The closing section of the Book of Proverbs opens with such a warm atmosphere. It records "These are the words of Lemuel king of Masa," which are actually the teachings he received from his mother. In a beautiful way, the book places a woman's voice as a source of wisdom that guides a leader.
The mother addresses her son with the intimate phrase, "my son, my real son, my Nazarene son". These words reminded her that the king's life was not born out of thin air, but was shaped by prayer and hope. Therefore, he warned that his power and authority should not be wasted on lusts or pleasures that corrupt judgement. In biblical history, the failure of many leaders often began with an inability to control themselves. When a leader loses clarity of heart and mind, justice is easily overlooked, and those who are weakest are the first to feel the consequences.
The advice then alludes to the dangers of drunkenness and loss of self-control. A king immersed in pleasure will easily forget the laws that are supposed to protect the poor. The mother therefore reminds that power demands clarity of mind and firmness of heart. Wise leadership is not only measured by the severity of the orders delivered, but by the ability to keep oneself true to justice.
The culmination of this advice is very clear: "Open your mouth for the dumb." Those who are poor and oppressed often have no voice in the halls of justice. The king is called upon to speak for them, defend the rights of the weak, and uphold justice for the poor. Interestingly, at the end of the book, the role of women appears in a very positive light. Whereas before women were sometimes used as images of misleading temptation, here a mother becomes a teacher of wisdom to the king, and afterwards a capable and virtuous woman is portrayed.
Friends of the Bible, this motherly advice reminds us that true wisdom does not stop at wise words. Wisdom becomes real when someone dares to use their influence and voice to uphold justice. Not everyone holds the power of a king or president, but everyone has the opportunity to speak out. In a world that often gives more space to the strong, God's word invites us to ask: does our voice contribute to justice for the weak, or do we choose to be silent when injustice occurs? That is where wisdom is tested, not only in what we think, but in our courage to stand up for what is right.
