How does Proverbs 31:6 guide us in showing compassion to the suffering? The Text “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.” – Proverbs 31:6 Immediate Context • These words form part of King Lemuel’s mother’s counsel on righteous leadership (Proverbs 31:1–9). • Verses 4–5 warn rulers against drinking so their judgment stays clear; verse 6 turns outward, showing that the same wine withheld from leaders can be medicine for those in misery. What the Verse Teaches About Compassion • Relief for real pain – God recognizes the anguish of “him who is perishing” and permits a tangible, soothing gift. • Practical mercy – Compassion is not abstract; it supplies what lessens suffering in the moment. • Sensitivity to emotional distress – “The bitter in soul” need comfort every bit as much as the physically dying. Guardrails: Not License for Drunkenness • Scripture consistently condemns drunkenness (Proverbs 20:1; Ephesians 5:18). • Proverbs 31:6 authorizes measured, purposeful alleviation of pain, not reckless indulgence. • Compare Paul’s counsel to Timothy: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach…” (1 Timothy 5:23). Compassion in Action Today • Appropriate medical help – Pain medications, hospice care, counseling, and skilled nursing all echo the verse’s principle. • Presence and comfort – A warm meal, a listening ear, or a gentle touch can be the “wine” that lifts a bitter soul. • Material support – Covering bills, providing transportation, or furnishing supplies imitates the king’s duty to ease distress (Luke 10:33–35). • Words of hope – Sharing Scripture such as Psalm 34:18 and Isaiah 40:1 breathes consolation into wounded hearts. Christ’s Ultimate Model • Jesus “went about doing good” and “healed all who were oppressed” (Acts 10:38). • On the cross He received wine mixed with myrrh for pain relief (Mark 15:23), fulfilling the mercy Proverbs 31:6 anticipates. • His compassion moved Him to feed the hungry (Matthew 15:32), touch lepers (Mark 1:41), and raise the dead (Luke 7:13–15). Putting It Into Practice • Keep your spiritual discernment clear (Proverbs 31:4–5) so you can identify genuine need. • Meet suffering with concrete help appropriate to the situation. • Offer relief promptly—pain delayed is pain prolonged. • Let mercy cost you something: time, resources, convenience (2 Samuel 24:24). • Point the hurting to the hope of the gospel, where ultimate comfort is found (2 Corinthians 1:3–5). Proverbs 31:6 calls believers to mirror God’s heart by stepping into the suffering of others with tangible, timely, and tender mercy. |
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