The Virtuous Woman and King Lemuel:...a Prophetic Interpretation

By Timibra Toikumo

One of the greatest passages of the bible is found in proverbs chapter thirty-one. Bible readers for many generations have seen this chapter as a huge source of inspiration with some making it the yardstick for the godly woman. However, comparing the virtues and attributes of the proverbs chapter thirty-one woman with the contemporary Christian woman has led to the frustration of many due to her high standards. In this book, however, the author boldly declares that the woman praised in this chapter of proverbs is prophetically talking about the church of the Living God and not exclusively a literal woman! Each chapter of this book is a verse by verse prophetic commentary on the virtuous woman as she reflects the church Christ seeks to find at His second coming. In the same token, within these pages, is a seamless blend between the mother of king Lemuel, king Lemuel and the virtuous woman scripturally presented. The saints of the New Testament dispensation are as king Lemuel who was conceived out of a vow of the mother in like fashion as the kings and priests of the New Jerusalem Mother who have been conceived as well from a vow. All relevant scriptural references necessary to bring to the remembrance of the saints their true stature in Christ as kings and priests and as sons of God like king Lemuel made ready for His second coming is revealed from this chapter of proverbs in this book. This is a book that explains the literal rendering of all symbolic representations of the chapter in all clarity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timibra Toikumo
• Release date: Jul 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370253395

Book preview

Acknowledgment

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and His Bride for inviting everyone to come! My wife Timiedighi Toikumo and her household: Ebiere, Tariere, Erabomini for keeping the home in all virtue; My parents Elder and Mrs. T.K Toikumo; My wife’s parents Hon Justice and Mrs. U.P Kekemeke; Baba and Mrs. Iliya Kato; Mrs. Sylvester Adeniyi for the sweet fragrance of their households; Udeme Udoh for our fellowship with scripture and your encouragement to write; SP Nwigwe Angus especially for your prayer that God puts His Spirit in this book you have called a letter to the church; Batife Pereemiwei Solomon for your boldness and search for truth; Etebong Umana a star held in His right hand at prince of peace; Jimi Olatubosun Luyi and Henry Uagbor for our days in UI where as roommates ‘iron sharpeneth iron’; Brother Sylvester Adeniyi who for the message of His return left all to give us all; His little children for the Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom; ‘church men of God’ for your inestimable contributions to that quiet side in a Christian’s learning that waits patiently for the Spirit’s interpretation of any scripture.

Preface

Having one of our regular considerations of the Holy Scriptures we shared fresh discoveries from it. This has been the normal routine for me and other Christian friends. In one of such occasions I find myself saying to another saint ‘the woman represents the church and the church represents the woman anywhere in the Bible’. It was a profound thing for him to hear and ever since that time my friend would always have us share the scriptures seeking fresh revelations and understanding. Time was when other Christians would come for the fellowship with the word. It did not matter which denomination they worshipped in and it was never in any formal church setting but it happened in our normal everyday living. There was nothing manifestly spectacular in these discussions except that the daily hunger and love for His word keeps us in constant fellowship with the word.

I can recall ever explaining Proverbs chapter thirty-one saying it is the chapter in which the true church of God is spoken about. As I explained that chapter in the light of this revelation I got more illumination on the spur of the moment! Ever since my first explanation of the virtuous woman as being the chaste and spotless Bride of Christ more understanding and revelations kept on flowing within me so much so that I became convinced that if ever there is the time to put those things in writing it is now! I have been advised severally to put in writing the things I was sharing with those saints and I have often seen the need to do just that. It became very convincing for me to accept the honour and privilege of showing the virtuous woman as the very pattern for the true church of Christ prepared for His coming as His Bride.

Having a general idea of what the book is about I started prayerfully putting down the inspirations into specifics as they came. There have been times when I thought I have what I am to write about but when I opted to present the verses of proverbs thirty-one into the chapters of this book I realized I had not sufficiently explained its message. Some verses were easier to explain while others were very obscure that I needed to pray fervently in tongues if perhaps the interpretation would be granted. I can conveniently say that most of what has become the message in this book was never known to me when I decided to write. The significance of King Lemuel and how he portrays the New Testament saints is still a wonder to me yet I have the conviction that in King Lemuel is hidden a mystery and a calling that types the New Testament saints.

In my sleep and in my wake I have seen scriptures hold me spellbound that I could hardly consider other scriptures unless those scriptures were truly and rightly reconciled with their ‘kith and kin’. Some scriptures have warmed within my heart while on long trips or some while alone or as I wrote and others have woken me up from sleep. Some have found themselves in the book because they make the book! Sometimes a tangible inspiration for how to explain the verses seemed to possess me other times I seemed to know what I am to write about but when I chose to write I struggled within me but because a servant of God must not strife at such times I did not write but held my peace.

I could wish I can say I was caught up to some celestial realms whether in the spirit or in the flesh that some heavenly beings gave me those things to write and I obeyed. No such thing happened. It has been the result of a little but long lasting interest in the study of the Holy Scriptures especially those scriptures that relate to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ from which in giving thanks the Lord has graciously multiplied both grace and love for the knowledge of those things concerning His coming.

I do not claim the interpretation or explanation contained in this book is infallible however I hold that rightly dividing the word of truth the interpretation is scriptural and is in agreement with what the spirit is saying to the churches that the generation upon whom the end of the age has come should do well to take heed!

It is strongly recommended that the book of proverbs chapter thirty-one be read verse by verse as is found fitting for each chapter of this book and if in reading this book the urgency of Christ’s coming is well impressed on the heart of any Christian of this generation that he awakes from his spiritual slumber and sleep that he should begin making himself ready for the Lord’s coming in spirit and in truth I am on course running the race set before me and the Lord Himself is my portion now and at the hour His coming, amen!

The faithful and true witness saith surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Introduction

The Book of Proverbs helps the understanding and interpretation of the words of the wise and their dark sayings (Proverbs 1:6). The whole verse of Proverbs chapter eight is talking about dimensions of wisdom and in verse 22 it declares: The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His work of old. That wisdom is the principal thing is evident in the next verse where it declares: I was set from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Now concerning the child Jesus waxing strong in spirit the Bible in Luke 2:52 says: And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. In His total development emphatically were identified wisdom and other necessary qualities.

The place of wisdom cannot be overlooked in the things pertaining to the end times if we must wax strong in spirit as well. In Daniel 12:9-13 the angel disclosed that understanding of end time event is given to the wise: Many shall be purified, and made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Understanding of end-time’s events belongs to the wise. We should be reminded that we are to walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15, 16). Christ requires that we be wise as serpents but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). He equally says that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8). The scripture in 1John 5:20 says the son of God has come and has given us an understanding…

Matthew 25:1-23 shows that wise virgins made the marriage with the Bridegroom. It therefore follows that wisdom is for the wise and wisdom is necessary for understanding the will of God as touching matters of His creation and His soon return! Remember that by wisdom the mark of the beast is to be counted and identified by him that has understanding. Revelation 13:18 says…

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six.

The exigency of this wisdom is better appreciated in the light of the emplacement of a snare in the common destiny of the world. Deliverance from the snare, calamity or destruction that is ahead of the times is made possible by the true pursuit of God’s wisdom for the close of the age. Hear the warning from wisdom in the Book of Proverbs in this regards:

because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; for they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them; and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from the fear of evil (Proverbs 1:24-33).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom -proverbs 9:10

This wisdom from the fear of the Lord can be vested by His Spirit and is nurtured by strong hunger, thirst and obedience to God’s revealed word in the scriptures. Except one obeys the revealed word of God the wisdom within it cannot be expressed. Scriptural wisdom and understanding is reserved for those who are exercising themselves in the same by meditating therein and taking it to heart (Joshua 1:8).

They obey Him because they love Him and have godly fear for His name. To love God is to keep His commandments (John 14:21). The fear of the Lord is to stay true obeying God’s instruction. Such instructions are never to be despised. That is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge when the hearing of the instructions and judgments of God is for the keeping or obeying of them without failing.

In Matthew 25:1-3, ten virgins who went out to meet the Bridegroom were described as either wise or foolish. The difference in virtue between the wise and foolish virgins is in their walk with the spirit of wisdom or lack of it. It was wisdom that taught the wise to carry extra oil in their lamps but simplicity and folly denied the foolish their place in the wedding not carrying the extra oil of His Spirit’s inspiration! Same unprecedented simplicity and folly in churches shall reward lukewarm church members with shame at His appearing not many days hence.

The spirit of discernment is an attribute of the wise

Where there is wisdom, discernment is also present; for wisdom is right and proper discernment of any matter by faith with the corresponding right and proper behavior in the fear of God! All scriptures require their corresponding right and proper discernment.

Wisdom entails knowing scripture beyond the face value. It means knowing or understanding scripture in the light of the message the Holy Ghost Himself is saying. Letting he that hath an ear hear what the spirit is saying. This type of wisdom helps the saints to discern and separate God’s voice from man’s voice in the churches or denominations.

DESTROY THIS TEMPLE –THE TEMPLE OF HIS BODY (JOHN 2:18-22)

In Jerusalem, Jesus was within the Temple made with hands when He said ‘destroy this temple’ and in three days I will raise it up! Except the scripture had interpreted ‘this temple’ in John 2:21 to refer to ‘the temple of His body’ the simple and undiscerning Christian would forever conclude and accept that Jesus was referring to the magnificent Jerusalem Temple (John 2:20)!

Now the grace and ability for understanding dark sayings and enigmas come from the Holy Spirit but this grace for understanding secrets is only given to those who fear the Lord (Psalm 25:14). Considering scriptures in the light of ‘the temple of His body’ and not that of the magnificent Jerusalem Temple is a good start in waiting on God’s interpretation of His word. In this regard the letter of the word is considered in the understanding from the Spirit and interpreted by the same Spirit. According to 2 Corinthians 3:6 the letter killeth but the spirit gives life!

Why should our Lord make such profound declaration while in the Temple made with hands and not while He is out from it? According to Proverbs 25:2, it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. The reason He conceals a thing is for His glory and the king’s honour is in searching out the matter.

It has pleased the Lord to grant believers Regal and Priestly status in this New Testament dispensation. For New Testament saints are made kings and priests not after the Order of Aaron but after the Order of Melchizedek. In fact the New Testament believer is a King, a Priest and a Prophet! As a king he has authority to bear rule. As a priest he carries out spiritual sacrifices on behalf of the people and as a prophet the word of the Lord comes to him. He is in every way a burden bearer by that call (Numbers 11:11, 17; Jeremiah 20:9; 23:36, 38). It is in matters of His second coming that a guaranty for a reward is placed for those who by wisdom and righteousness seek and find Him! In matters of His second coming lies that glory to be revealed in the New Testament kings who look for Him the second time without sin unto salvation.

That call also includes searching out spiritual matters by the help of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 45:15 says God is a God that hides Himself. The Books of Romans 11:33 and 1 Corinthians 2:10 say He is past finding out except by His Spirit! Our honour as Royal and Priestly believers therefore is to seek and find out the pleasure of God’s will as touching His second coming. Now we cannot seek and find His second coming except we leave the camp of the many voices (1Corinthians 14:10) in the churches or denominations that glorify men of God and their ways, then having eyes single and full of light (Matthew 6:22-23), go out without those denominational camps to meet with the Lord Himself (Hebrews 13:13) in His revealed word. Arise, let us go hence (John 14:31b)!

THE PRESENT TRUTH

Apart from searching out a hidden spiritual matter there is the concept of ‘the present truth’! 2Peter 1:12 and Matthew 16:13-20 demand our receiving what the Spirit is presently saying at that moment and for that dispensation. The question the Lord asked His disciples was ‘whom do men say that I the Son of man am?’ in answering, they said, some say thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. A closer look at the answer ‘one of the prophets’ is scripturally correct, but it is not ‘the present truth’ because that is not what the Spirit is saying. But Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (verse 16). In confirming Peter’s answer as what the Spirit is saying and not men (i.e. flesh and blood) Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood (men) hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father (by His Spirit) which is in heaven.

It is in the receiving of the Revelation of ‘the present truth’ of the Spirit (and not the correct sayings of men) to wit ‘Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God’ that the Lord builds His church (verse 17). After all it is whosoever has made same confession like Peter’s that becomes ‘lively stone’ for the building of His House (His Church) which the gates of hell shall not prevail against. The church is edified in this truth! According to John 15: 26; 16:13 the Spirit is of Truth and establishment in God’s will is in ‘the present truth’ (2Peter 1:12). He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Revelation 2:11). This present truth is what the scripture refers to as the testimony of Jesus and the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 1:2, 9; 12:17; 19:10). It is folly to reject this testimony.

It is in the light of the above that inspiration, wisdom and guidance from the Spirit has been prayerfully sought in the consideration of the whole chapter of Proverbs thirty-one and approached from a prophetic viewpoint. The interpretations given are attempts at looking at the whole chapter, not from its face value only (the letter), but especially from the hidden meaning (the spirit) the Holy Spirit may allow to be explained in the light of His plan and purpose for His church. It is also approached in the light of the revelation of the present truth as touching His church.

Interpretation belongs to God (Genesis 40:8b; Daniel 2:23, 28) whose wisdom is manifold (Ephesians 3:10) therefore this same chapter as well as the whole scriptures may be revealed by the Spirit in a different manner to another saint yet the general principles and truth of the Bible and the integrity thereof shall not be compromised neither shall it contradict other scriptures and interpretation from the same Spirit. Every prophetic word and interpretation is open for others to judge therefore the saints are at liberty to fulfill 1Corinthians 14:29.

Chapter 1: Who is king Lemuel?

Before considering the words of king Lemuel it is appropriate to identify who is king Lemuel. A closer look at the chronicles and acts of the kings of Israel (in the Book of Chronicles and Book of Kings) or the Book of genealogy of Jesus Christ in the opening chapters of Matthew Chapter 1 and Luke Chapter 3:23-38 shows no mentioning of any KING LEMUEL! King Lemuel being not listed in the genealogy of the kings of Israel yet adequately acknowledged in the book of Proverbs is herein considered an allegory. Whoever King Lemuel was remains a subject for continued search and commentary. The enigmatic Lemuel however, is a proverbial figure whose ministry is abundantly displayed in the Holy Scriptures.

King Lemuel being not listed in the genealogy of kings yet appearing in proverbial references simply signifies kings of like fashion not so customary listed but recognized and made kings by heaven: the New Testament kings! He is a symbol of those New Testament kings crowned by God not because of their royal ancestry but because of the adoption of the word of a royal decree for the New Testament dispensation! However, kings in the New Testament era do not bear a single crown but many. In the New Testament dispensation the kings appointed unto that kingdom are as well priests (1Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10)!

In Psalms 2:7 the word of the royal decree says I will declare the decree: the LORD (The KING) hath said unto me, thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. This is the condition for the royal adoption: but as many as received him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). In Romans 10:9 then is the invitation and response for this royal adoption: that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved! In Romans 8:15 again we find the Holy Ghost Regal