Dr. Mark E. Shaw, the Founder of The Addiction Connection, teaches from Proverbs 31:1-9 which says, "The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." [1] (ESV)
3:15 To whom is verse 4 referring?
5:00 Is it a sin to drink wine? What about for the perishing person? What about for the ailments of the stomach?
6:10 What does verse 5 say is the "why"?
8:12 Is bullying in this passage? What about those in the womb?
11:05 Psalm 82:3 "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." (NIV) [2]
11:30 What typically happens when a father drinks excessively?
"Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them." (Prov 22:22-23, ESV) "This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed." (Jer 22:3a, NIV) "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—when you already have it with you." (Prov.3:27-28, NIV) "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses." (Prov 28:27, NIV)
Shout out to Michael Fargarson who is a voice in speaking out for the poor, helping the poor and those in need. Prov 22:22-23 in the NIV says it this way, "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life." (NIV) "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1:17, NIV) "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Prov 11:25 NIV)
15:30 What does alcohol do to us? If you need help, find an Addictions Biblical Counselor who can help here https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/
17:20 What does The Addiction Connection need right now?
[1] Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.
[2] Scripture quotations marked "NIV" are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
