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.
- Proverbs 31:6 – 7
Welcome to the first in a potentially long running and controversial series I’m calling “Less Frequently Quoted Verses From Proverbs”.
Why, you may ask, would I do this? Am I trying to destroy your faith? Am I trying to mock the Bible? Am I questioning the infallible, inspired word of God?
No.
But, Proverbs, like Ecclesiasties, Psalms, and Song of Solomon must be treated differently than most other books of the Bible. Why? Because they are written for a different purpose.
Proverbs is advice and principles written in the form of proverbs. Proverbs, by definition, are intended to be easily memorizable and easily recalled. They are not all inclusive. They are not applicable in every situation.
Since people insist on using Proverbs to instruct people doctrinally, I am going to use other verses from Proverbs to show why this isn’t always a good idea.
Now, you tell me: Is Proverbs 31:6 – 7 the best possible idea for those who are poor and miserable?
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