Proverbs 31:8-9
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.
This first section of the last chapter of Proverbs concludes with the effects of godly wisdom. In this case words of a mother to her son. Some more parental advice!
When the truth of God’s love captures our hearts and minds we get a new set of lenses. We not only see the world differently, but we particularly see people in a different light. A heart of biblical wisdom must always lead to a heart of compassion. The burden is two-fold. One for the souls of people who are lost in their sin, and two, a concern for the lot in life of so many who are helpless.
To, “open your mouth” is to speak for the mute, the destitute, the poor, and the needy. When we truly care for someone, we care for their circumstances as well as their soul. People who don’t have a voice need an advocate to speak on their behalf. You don’t have to look far to see the need. Whether it’s the voice of the unborn or that homeless person you pass on your way to church or the family member struggling with mental illness. Open your mouth.
The culmination of this kind of wisdom is fulfilled in the person and work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He cared for the whole person. Paul’s description of Jesus in Philippians 2 is a beautiful picture of biblical humility. It all started with God taking the initiative, taking an interest. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Jesus saw our circumstances and our souls and entered into our suffering.
May we be wise in how we live and love. As Jesus himself declared may we, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”