THE WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD

Proverbs 31:10-31 / Keywords 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

31:10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Footnotes

b. Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

1. The Book of Proverbs ends with a wonderful praise of godly women, for women are the backbone of a family, community, and society. The untold story of all their sacrifices is summed up here. They diligently manage their homes from early in the morning until late at night. They know how to control money so that they give to the poor freely and generously. They find ways to nurture others around them and comfort them. They bring honor to their family and husband. They have real joy by taking care of the people in their lives and knowing that they are well provided for. When they talk, it’s not to gossip or slander, but to share wisdom and to teach other women and children with kindness. 

2. Her children rise and bless her, and her husband praises her. What does her husband say? “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” He is madly in love with her. Verse 30 says charm is deceitful. Beauty is vain. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Women like to hear praise and compliments. But real praise is not for their outer beauty, but for their fear of God, and the good work they have done for their family and community. 

Prayer Father, thank you for godly women who have this vision for themselves to fear the Lord and be praiseworthy. Please help us to honor them. 

One Word A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised

DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND NEEDY

Proverbs 31:1-9 / Keywords 31:9

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Sayings of King Lemuel

31:1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!

    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women,

    your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—

    it is not for kings to drink wine,

    not for rulers to crave beer,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,

    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,

    wine for those who are in anguish!

7 Let them drink and forget their poverty

    and remember their misery no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

    for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Speak up and judge fairly;

    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth

1. The king wrote an oracle that his mother taught him. (Possibly this is King Solomon, whose mother was Bathsheba.) She reminded him of how precious he was from her womb, and how she had made a vow to dedicate him to the Lord. She rebukes him for fraternizing with women and getting drunk. She admonishes him to take care of the poor. She reminds him that he was a king in the making, and kings had to carry themselves with nobility and justice. 

2. He had a responsibility to protect and preserve the rights of the afflicted. But addiction to women and wine makes him lose judgment. Likewise, there are temptations around us to drink and be immoral. Let us make a noble decision to live a pure and upright life, so that we may be able to grow in wisdom, power, and courage to defend the rights of the poor and to administer justice for our generation. 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus, who defended the rights of the poor. Help us to be leaders like him for our generation. 

One Word Live righteously and protect the needy

DON’T BE PROUD OR EVIL

Proverbs 30:11-33 / Keywords 30:32

If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!

30:11 “There are those who curse their fathers

    and do not bless their mothers;

12 those who are pure in their own eyes

    and yet are not cleansed of their filth;

13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty,

    whose glances are so disdainful;

14 those whose teeth are swords

    and whose jaws are set with knives

to devour the poor from the earth

    and the needy from among mankind.

15 “The leech has two daughters.

    ‘Give! Give!’ they cry.

“There are three things that are never satisfied,

    four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

16 the grave, the barren womb,

    land, which is never satisfied with water,

    and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’

17 “The eye that mocks a father,

    that scorns an aged mother,

will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,

    will be eaten by the vultures.

18 “There are three things that are too amazing for me,

    four that I do not understand:

19 the way of an eagle in the sky,

    the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship on the high seas,

    and the way of a man with a young woman.

20 “This is the way of an adulterous woman:

    She eats and wipes her mouth

    and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’

21 “Under three things the earth trembles,

    under four it cannot bear up:

22 a servant who becomes king,

    a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,

23 a contemptible woman who gets married,

    and a servant who displaces her mistress.

24 “Four things on earth are small,

    yet they are extremely wise:

25 Ants are creatures of little strength,

    yet they store up their food in the summer;

26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,

    yet they make their home in the crags;

27 locusts have no king,

    yet they advance together in ranks;

28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,

    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

29 “There are three things that are stately in their stride,

    four that move with stately bearing:

30 a lion, mighty among beasts,

    who retreats before nothing;

31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat,

    and a king secure against revolt.[b]

32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,

    or if you plan evil,

    clap your hand over your mouth!

33 For as churning cream produces butter,

    and as twisting the nose produces blood,

    so stirring up anger produces strife.”

Footnotes

b. Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

1. People are tempted to be proud in different ways. Children are tempted to curse their parents who took care of them. People are tempted to be self-righteous and judge others endlessly. Other people are tempted to look down their noses on others. Some people are tempted to use words like sharpened weapons to cut down others. People are tempted to abandon humanity and have no pity on the poor and needy. Some other people always demand more, no matter how much they receive. How are you tempted to be proud or evil in ways such as these? 

2. The world is full of things: good, bad, and awesome. We need to have wisdom to discern the good and reject the bad. We need most of all to guard ourselves against becoming proud and doing evil. We are all sinners and are tempted. We need to pray for God’s help and protection. 

Prayer Father, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. 

One Word Resist the temptation to be proud and evil

DO YOU KNOW GOD?

Proverbs 30:1-10 / Keywords 30:5

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 

Sayings of Agur

30:1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.

This man’s utterance to Ithiel:

“I am weary, God,

    but I can prevail.[a]

2 Surely I am only a brute, not a man;

    I do not have human understanding.

3 I have not learned wisdom,

    nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

    Whose hands have gathered up the wind?

Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?

    Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is the name of his son?

    Surely you know!

5 “Every word of God is flawless;

    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words,

    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord;

    do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

    give me neither poverty nor riches,

    but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

    and so dishonor the name of my God.

10 “Do not slander a servant to their master,

    or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 30:1 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text utterance to Ithiel, / to Ithiel and Ukal:

1. This chapter begins with a person who is frustrated and cries out for God’s help. He confesses that he has not learned God’s wisdom. The knowledge of God turns his mind to the Almighty God ruling in heaven, who created all things, and holds the world in his hands. We should long for God’s wisdom like this until we know God and Jesus, his Son. 

2. How can we know God and his Son? We can know them through the living Word of God. Every single word of God in the Bible proves to be true when we hold onto God’s word instead of what the world teaches us. More so, we can experience that God protects us and helps us when we hold onto his words. We need to repent of adding our own ideas to God’s word, especially when seeking after monetary security. Let’s make this my prayer: Lord, make me to be neither rich nor poor, but I may be content and have God with me. 

Prayer Father, thank you for meeting me through your word and protecting me. Please make me neither rich, nor poor so I may never forsake you. 

One Word Take refuge in God

WHOEVER TRUSTS IN THE LORD IS SAFE

Proverbs 29:1-27 / Keywords 29:25

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

29:1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

    will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

    when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king gives a country stability,

    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

5 Those who flatter their neighbors

    are spreading nets for their feet.

6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,

    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,

    but the wicked have no such concern.

8 Mockers stir up a city,

    but the wise turn away anger.

9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity

    and seek to kill the upright.

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,

    but the wise bring calm in the end.

12 If a ruler listens to lies,

    all his officials become wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

    The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,

    his throne will be established forever.

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

    but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

    they will bring you the delights you desire.

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;

    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?

    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 A servant pampered from youth

    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,

    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23 Pride brings a person low,

    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;

    they are put under oath and dare not testify.

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,

    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;

    the wicked detest the upright.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give

1. This chapter warns about many ways that we fall into the traps of sin and ruin our lives. However, those who trust in the Lord will be kept safe; this is a great and powerful promise. We need to believe it from our hearts and live according to it. Then, when God sees everything that’s going on in the world, he brings justice to those who trusted in him. But the rebellious end up broken beyond healing. They suffer from shame and lose all they have. 

2. We must give young people the vision to trust God, to seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to them as well (Matt 6:33). We must train others and our children until their eyes are open to live by God’s promise. Included here are many other warnings against being proud, stealing, getting angry, and being unfair. The world is a scary place, and we are tempted to be like the people of the world. Let’s trust in the Lord, and he will keep us safe. He will bring about his justice for his people. 

Prayer Father, thank you for keeping me safe as I trust in you. Help me to seek you and your justice. 

One Word Those who trust in the Lord are safe 

THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD WILL BE ENRICHED

Proverbs 28:13-28 / Keywords 28:25

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,

    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder

    will seek refuge in the grave;

    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,

    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,

    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,

    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good—

    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 The stingy are eager to get rich

    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor

    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

24 Whoever robs their father or mother

    and says, “It’s not wrong,”

    is partner to one who destroys.

25 The greedy stir up conflict,

    but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,

    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,

    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person

b. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one

1. This passage expounds on having true riches versus being greedy. Confessing our sins and receiving mercy is the greatest treasure we could ever have. When we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, his holy blood pays a ransom for our sins and takes away the burden of our sins. We taste freedom, joy, peace, love, hope, and God’s kingdom, which is forever. We are truly rich people. 

2. Greedy and stingy people who only want to get rich in this life will stumble and fall. They are despicable and would even rob their own parents. They are cruel and hate justice. Their greed makes them crooked, and they follow worthless pursuits. They are truly impoverished. Such greedy people bring about every kind of strife in this world. 

3. But the one who trusts in the Lord is truly enriched. They can walk in the ways of the Lord, have wisdom for their lives, and be delivered from all kinds of pitfalls, temptations, and sins. Moreover, they know how to be generous to the poor. How much God blesses us in return! 

Prayer Father, thank you for enriching my life through Jesus. Please help me trust in you, be a generous person, and give to the poor. 

One Word The one who trusts in the Lord will be blessed with true riches

BETTER A POOR MAN

Proverbs 28:1-12 / Keywords 28:6

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,

    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,

    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor

    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

    but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,

    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,

    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor

    amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

    even their prayers are detestable.

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path

    will fall into their own trap,

    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;

    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;

    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person

1. This passage reveals what is inside people’s hearts and how it controls their actions. The wicked are easily afraid and run away at hardship and trouble. However, in the face of opposition, the righteous are very bold, like lions, and no one dares to approach them. When the people are lawless, many leaders try to grab power. Yet when there is a person who has understanding and knowledge, they provide stability to the community. 

2. How we view people based on social status is important before God and a true indication of our character. A poor person with integrity is much better than a rich and evil person. Those who oppress the poor will face God’s judgment. But those who pay attention to the poor and are generous to them are blessed by God. It is easy to turn our eyes away from poor people. Are you running away from helping the poor, and do you see the poor right in front of you and do nothing? 

3. Those who turn away from hearing the law to give to the poor will not be heard by God, no matter how hard they pray. But the righteous who love God, love others, and give freely will receive a godly inheritance. 

Prayer Father, please forgive me for neglecting the poor. Help me to be generous. Help me to trust in your reward instead of piling up riches for myself. 

One Word Better a poor man with integrity

TESTED BY PRAISE

Proverbs 27:11-27 / Keywords 27:21

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;

    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,

    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,

    it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping

    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

16 restraining her is like restraining the wind

    or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,

    and whoever protects their master will be honored.

19 As water reflects the face,

    so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]

20 Death and Destruction[b] are never satisfied,

    and neither are human eyes.

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

    but people are tested by their praise.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,

    grinding them like grain with a pestle,

    you will not remove their folly from them.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

    give careful attention to your herds;

24 for riches do not endure forever,

    and a crown is not secure for all generations.

25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears

    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,

    and the goats with the price of a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family

    and to nourish your female servants.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you

b. Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon

1. This passage starts out with the plea of a father for his son to be wise and to bring him pride and joy. Young people simply follow the world. They need wisdom and guidance to avoid the pitfalls of sin and temptation that lurk everywhere. We need to teach them not to trust or try to help everyone. We should also teach them to be cautious of people who praise them too loudly, and instead, wonder what they are hiding or what is coming next. 

2. We all need wisdom to handle conflicts. Wives should resist quarreling with their husbands and make their homes a place of peace. Also, we shouldn’t be afraid of differences between people, but know that cultural, generational, and other differences sharpen us. When we struggle with others, we can easily see what is in their hearts expressed on their faces. We need to pay attention and understand them. 

3. Just as fire refines gold and silver, praise tests people. If we’re not on guard, we can be tricked by people’s praise and make foolish decisions. Instead, let’s rely on God’s love and be stewards of what God has given us so we can be a blessing to others. Let’s reflect on how praise has affected me and ask: What can I change? 

Prayer Father, help me not be swayed by praise but rely on your love and be a diligent and faithful steward of what you have given me. 

One Word Pass the test of receiving praise

DO NOT BOAST ABOUT TOMORROW

Proverbs 27:1-10 / Keywords 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,

    for you do not know what a day may bring.

2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;

    an outsider, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden,

    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,

    but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke

    than hidden love.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,

    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

8 Like a bird that flees its nest

    is anyone who flees from home.

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,

    and the pleasantness of a friend

    springs from their heartfelt advice.

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,

    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—

    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

1. Verse one reminds us that we have no control over what tomorrow will be. Life is so fragile. We need to overcome the strong desire to boast about our lives and what we will do. Rather, we must live each day humbly, trusting God’s will for tomorrow. 

2. Whenever we start thinking very highly of ourselves, we become blinded by pride and think we are superior. Instead of praising ourselves, let someone else praise us. We might be surprised by their unexpected and heartfelt praises. Also, if we boast, we may provoke others to wrath and jealousy and will suffer needlessly. 

3. There are many verses here about friends that teach us about faithfulness, kindness, and honesty. Friends will tell us what we really need to hear, but an enemy will pretend to love us while all along hoping for our fall. A faithful friend is better than a brother who is far away from us. We should value our friends, as well as family friends, who will care and support us in our times of need and trouble. 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus who gave up his glory and became a Faithful Friend to me. Help me to be a humble, kind, and faithful friend. 

One Word Don’t boast; make friends in Jesus

LIARS ARE HATERS

Proverbs 26:13-28 / Keywords 26:23

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

26:13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,

    a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

14 As a door turns on its hinges,

    so a sluggard turns on his bed.

15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

    he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

    than seven people who answer discreetly.

17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears

    is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

18 Like a maniac shooting

    flaming arrows of death

19 is one who deceives their neighbor

    and says, “I was only joking!”

20 Without wood a fire goes out;

    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

    they go down to the inmost parts.

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware

    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.

24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,

    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.

25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,

    for seven abominations fill their hearts.

26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,

    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;

    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth

1. This passage starts off by warning us against laziness. Those who loaf around miss opportunities and fail to do what they should do. Laziness is wickedness, and it makes people powerless to get out of bed. Lost in their dream world, procrastinators deceive themselves into thinking they are superior to others. Then there are those who meddle in other people’s business. They spread stories and turn decent people into backbiting, wild dogs. 

2. The next set of problematic people are liars. They are generally people who are close to us, who deceive us, and then act as if they were just joking. A vicious liar whispers in the ear and creates dissension in a group. Such liars pretend that they like us and act gracious, but they are hiding all kinds of abominations against us in their hearts. These people will fall into their own pit! 

3. Verse 28 says that a liar hates their victims. Lying reveals our attitude toward others. Liars break the bond of trust in a community and tear down unity. Let’s reflect on whether we view lying as a small sin or a deeper, serious problem. 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit through Jesus. Please help me to overcome the spirits of procrastinating, meddling, and lying. 

One Word Don’t lie

DON’T BE A FOOL 

Proverbs 26:1-12 / Keywords 26:12

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

    honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

    and a rod for the backs of fools!

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

    or you yourself will be just like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

    or he will be wise in his own eyes.

6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool

    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame

    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

8 Like tying a stone in a sling

    is the giving of honor to a fool.

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand

    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 Like an archer who wounds at random

    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,

    so fools repeat their folly.

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?

    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

1. This passage warns us against fools. When we rely on our sinful nature, we become foolish so quickly. We can’t discern who around us is a fool, nor that their ways will lead to trouble and disaster. Rather, when dealing with foolish people, we should let them receive God’s discipline. We should not stoop down to their level and argue with them. Moreover, don’t choose a foolish person to send an important message, don’t expect a fool to understand wisdom even though you try to teach them, and don’t hire a fool or a drunkard. There are so many ways that we let our guard down and suffer when we rely on fools. 

2. Do you see a man who’s wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Sometimes, we are the most foolish people because we become stuck, and we think we know it all. This was the devil and his angels’ mistake. We should always be growing, learning, repenting, and gaining wisdom to be a better version of what we were yesterday. This protects us from becoming fools with no hope. 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me wisdom to avoid foolish people and their ways. Help me to learn from your words and imitate wise people. 

One Word Don’t rely on fools, nor become foolish

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Proverbs 25:16-28 / Keywords 25:22

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough—

    too much of it, and you will vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—

    too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow

    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot

    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,

    or like vinegar poured on a wound,

    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

    and the Lord will reward you.

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain

    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24 Better to live on a corner of the roof

    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a weary soul

    is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well

    are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey,

    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through

    is a person who lacks self-control.

Footnotes

b. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots

1. This passage shares a common strand of having wisdom to practice selfcontrol. We must heed wisdom by not eating too many high calorie sweets, not being a pesky neighbor, not being too naive of sly people, not singing whenever we want, not speaking too critically, not backbiting, not quarreling constantly with our family members, and not compromising with wicked people. In verse 27, the writer emphasizes again: Don’t eat too much honey. And in the same breath, he adds on: Don’t seek your own glory. Just like we are strongly tempted by sweets, we are keen to seek our own glory. And our vanity will be our downfall (28). 

2. Another thread here is to forgive our enemies. People irrationally want to get even with their enemies. But when we have self-control, we can serve our enemies when they are most vulnerable—when they are hungry and thirsty. In doing so, we truly put our enemies to shame. And the best part here: God promises to reward us. God in heaven does not treat us as our sins deserve. So, how about you? 

Prayer Father, thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve. Help me to control myself and to forgive, love, and serve my enemy. 

One Word Love and serve my enemy

WIVES FOR THE BENJAMITES

Judges 21:1-25 / Keywords 21:25

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. 

21:1 The men of Israel had taken an oath at Mizpah: “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”

2 The people went to Bethel,[a] where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly. 3 “Lord, God of Israel,” they cried, “why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?”

4 Early the next day the people built an altar and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.

5 Then the Israelites asked, “Who from all the tribes of Israel has failed to assemble before the Lord?” For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to assemble before the Lord at Mizpah was to be put to death.

6 Now the Israelites grieved for the tribe of Benjamin, their fellow Israelites. “Today one tribe is cut off from Israel,” they said. 7 “How can we provide wives for those who are left, since we have taken an oath by the Lord not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?” 8 Then they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to assemble before the Lord at Mizpah?” They discovered that no one from Jabesh Gilead had come to the camp for the assembly. 9 For when they counted the people, they found that none of the people of Jabesh Gilead were there.

10 So the assembly sent twelve thousand fighting men with instructions to go to Jabesh Gilead and put to the sword those living there, including the women and children. 11 “This is what you are to do,” they said. “Kill every male and every woman who is not a virgin.” 12 They found among the people living in Jabesh Gilead four hundred young women who had never slept with a man, and they took them to the camp at Shiloh in Canaan.

13 Then the whole assembly sent an offer of peace to the Benjamites at the rock of Rimmon. 14 So the Benjamites returned at that time and were given the women of Jabesh Gilead who had been spared. But there were not enough for all of them.

15 The people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. 16 And the elders of the assembly said, “With the women of Benjamin destroyed, how shall we provide wives for the men who are left? 17 The Benjamite survivors must have heirs,” they said, “so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out. 18 We can’t give them our daughters as wives, since we Israelites have taken this oath: ‘Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to a Benjamite.’ 19 But look, there is the annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh, which lies north of Bethel, east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.”

20 So they instructed the Benjamites, saying, “Go and hide in the vineyards 21 and watch. When the young women of Shiloh come out to join in the dancing, rush from the vineyards and each of you seize one of them to be your wife. Then return to the land of Benjamin. 22 When their fathers or brothers complain to us, we will say to them, ‘Do us the favor of helping them, because we did not get wives for them during the war. You will not be guilty of breaking your oath because you did not give your daughters to them.’”

23 So that is what the Benjamites did. While the young women were dancing, each man caught one and carried her off to be his wife. Then they returned to their inheritance and rebuilt the towns and settled in them.

24 At that time the Israelites left that place and went home to their tribes and clans, each to his own inheritance.

25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Footnotes

a. Judges 21:2 Or to the house of God

1. The men of Israel were sorrowful for the 600 men of Benjamin that were left after the battle. Since these 600 men had no wives, there was no way for the tribe of Benjamin to continue. One of the 12 tribes would become extinct! This would be a tragedy for the Israelites. So, they needed a way to provide wives for these bachelors. Everyone in Israel had taken an oath that any tribe that did not appear would be put to death. They found that Jabesh Gilead had not sent anyone. So, in yet another battle, the men of Israel wiped out every one of Jabesh Gilead except for 400 virgins. These they gave to the men of Benjamin. 

2. But they were still 200 women short in providing wives for all the Benjamites. They had taken a vow that anyone who gave their daughter to a Benjamite would be cursed. So, they devised another scheme whereby the 200 bachelors left from Benjamin would grab a young woman from Shiloh and run off with her to be his wife. Verse 25 sums up not only this incident, but the whole of the book of Judges. God’s people need shepherds. They need Jesus as their king. 

Prayer Father, when we have our hearts empty of you as our king, we can only sin tragically. Bless us that you may reign in our hearts. 

One Word God’s people need a shepherd

THE LORD GAVE BENJAMIN INTO THEIR HANDS

Judges 20:17-48 / Keywords 20:28b

They asked, “Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not?” The LORD responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.”

20:17 Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

18 The Israelites went up to Bethel[b] and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?”

The Lord replied, “Judah shall go first.”

19 The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. 20 The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. 21 The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. 22 But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. 23 The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”

24 Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. 25 This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

26 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. 27 And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, 28 with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.”

29 Then Israel set an ambush around Gibeah. 30 They went up against the Benjamites on the third day and took up positions against Gibeah as they had done before. 31 The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. 32 While the Benjamites were saying, “We are defeating them as before,” the Israelites were saying, “Let’s retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads.”

33 All the men of Israel moved from their places and took up positions at Baal Tamar, and the Israelite ambush charged out of its place on the west[c] of Gibeah.[d] 34 Then ten thousand of Israel’s able young men made a frontal attack on Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that the Benjamites did not realize how near disaster was. 35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. 36 Then the Benjamites saw that they were beaten.

Now the men of Israel had given way before Benjamin, because they relied on the ambush they had set near Gibeah. 37 Those who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword. 38 The Israelites had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke from the city, 39 and then the Israelites would counterattack.

The Benjamites had begun to inflict casualties on the Israelites (about thirty), and they said, “We are defeating them as in the first battle.” 40 But when the column of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the whole city going up in smoke. 41 Then the Israelites counterattacked, and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come on them. 42 So they fled before the Israelites in the direction of the wilderness, but they could not escape the battle. And the Israelites who came out of the towns cut them down there. 43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and easily[e] overran them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. 44 Eighteen thousand Benjamites fell, all of them valiant fighters. 45 As they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

46 On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters. 47 But six hundred of them turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months. 48 The men of Israel went back to Benjamin and put all the towns to the sword, including the animals and everything else they found. All the towns they came across they set on fire.

Footnotes

b. Judges 20:18 Or to the house of God; also in verse 26

c. Judges 20:33 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

d. Judges 20:33 Hebrew Geba, a variant of Gibeah

e. Judges 20:43 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

1. Although the Benjamites were vastly outnumbered (26,700 from Benjamin against 400,000 soldiers from the remaining tribes), the Benjamites were confident in victory. But Israel inquired of the Lord and asked him who should go up and fight first. Judah was the first to go. The first day, the Israelites saw heavy casualties. They wept before the Lord. He told them to go up a second day. Again, the Benjamites defeated them. And again, the Israelites wept and fasted and again inquired of the Lord. The Lord told them to go up against them again, for he would give them into their hand. Though the Israelites sought God’s direction, the Lord needed to humble them through defeat. 

2. The third time, the Israelites sought God humbly. The Lord promised them victory. The Israelites were able to deceive the Benjamites and won the victory. They slaughtered the whole of Benjamin’s army, with the exception of 600 fighting men, who fled the battle. The Israelites turned on the other towns of Benjamin and put them to the sword, even killing the animals. In their vengeance, Israel became worse than the men of Gibeah. All of Israel needed a shepherd-king. 

Prayer Father, without you as King, sin reigns. We need shepherds to lead us to you. Lord Jesus, come and be our King!. 

One Word We need the Lord as our King

ON THE BRINK OF WAR

Judges 20:1-16 / Keywords 20:13a

Now surrender those wicked men of Gibeah so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.”

The Israelites Punish the Benjamites

20:1 Then all Israel from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came together as one and assembled before the Lord in Mizpah. 2 The leaders of all the people of the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God’s people, four hundred thousand men armed with swords. 3 (The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.”

4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, said, “I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night. 5 During the night the men of Gibeah came after me and surrounded the house, intending to kill me. They raped my concubine, and she died. 6 I took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel’s inheritance, because they committed this lewd and outrageous act in Israel. 7 Now, all you Israelites, speak up and tell me what you have decided to do.”

8 All the men rose up together as one, saying, “None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house. 9 But now this is what we’ll do to Gibeah: We’ll go up against it in the order decided by casting lots. 10 We’ll take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to get provisions for the army. Then, when the army arrives at Gibeah[a] in Benjamin, it can give them what they deserve for this outrageous act done in Israel.” 11 So all the Israelites got together and united as one against the city.

12 The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you? 13 Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.”

But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. 14 From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. 15 At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah. 16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

Footnotes

a. Judges 20:10 One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts Geba, a variant of Gibeah

1. All of Israel came to know of the tragedy that happened in Gibeah in Benjamin when the Levite cut up his concubine and sent her body parts to each of the 12 tribes of Israel. The men of Israel knew they had to do something, despite the fact they had no king. So, all the men of Israel gathered before the Lord at Mizpah. There, the Levite whose concubine had been raped and murdered recounted his story. Then he demanded the Israelites tell him what they were going to do. The Gibeonites must be punished! The men of Israel were right. Sin must be purged. 

2. So, the tribes of Israel went to Benjamin demanding they turn over to them the men of Gibeah who did the awful deed. Benjamin refused. Instead of extraditing the perpetrators, the tribe of Benjamin mustered 26,000 trained soldiers, along with 700 able men from Gibeah. The Benjamites clung to their pride and wanted to protect their kinsmen from Gibeah, no matter what crimes they had committed. When we have no king, there is no true sense of justice. 

Prayer Father, without you, our sense of justice is warped. We can only seek ruinous revenge. Help us to seek you as our true source of justice and peace. 

One Word Seek God’s justice, not our own

ISRAEL HAD NO KING

Judges 19:1-30 / Keywords 19:1a

In those days Israel had no king.

A Levite and His Concubine

19:1 In those days Israel had no king.

Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. 2 But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her parents’ home in Bethlehem, Judah. After she had been there four months, 3 her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had with him his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her parents’ home, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him. 4 His father-in-law, the woman’s father, prevailed on him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.

5 On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the woman’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go.” 6 So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman’s father said, “Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself.” 7 And when the man got up to go, his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night. 8 On the morning of the fifth day, when he rose to go, the woman’s father said, “Refresh yourself. Wait till afternoon!” So the two of them ate together.

9 Then when the man, with his concubine and his servant, got up to leave, his father-in-law, the woman’s father, said, “Now look, it’s almost evening. Spend the night here; the day is nearly over. Stay and enjoy yourself. Early tomorrow morning you can get up and be on your way home.” 10 But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

11 When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Come, let’s stop at this city of the Jebusites and spend the night.”

12 His master replied, “No. We won’t go into any city whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.” 13 He added, “Come, let’s try to reach Gibeah or Ramah and spend the night in one of those places.” 14 So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. 15 There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night.

16 That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. 17 When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”

18 He answered, “We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going to the house of the Lord.[a] No one has taken me in for the night. 19 We have both straw and fodder for our donkeys and bread and wine for ourselves your servants—me, the woman and the young man with us. We don’t need anything.”

20 “You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” 21 So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.

22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.”

23 The owner of the house went outside and said to them, “No, my friends, don’t be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don’t do this outrageous thing. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But as for this man, don’t do such an outrageous thing.”

25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. 26 At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.

27 When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 He said to her, “Get up; let’s go.” But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel. 30 Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!”

Footnotes

a. Judges 19:18 Hebrew, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum; Septuagint going home

1. This chapter tells the tragic story of a man from the tribe of Levi and his concubine while they were travelling through the land of Benjamin. It is symbolic of what happens in a society where there is no king. The Levites were the religious leaders of the Jews. But this man seemed more interested in food and drink with his father-in-law. On the way home, they travelled through Benjamin to a city called Gibeah, where a kindly old man took them in. This reminds us of the story of Lot and how he took strangers into his home. He was a remnant of faith. 

2. But the rest of the city was just like Sodom. They brutally raped and murdered the concubine of the Levite traveler. When a similar incident happened in Sodom, the Lord destroyed that city with fire and brimstone. Here the Levite took his dead concubine home, cut up her body and sent them to all 12 tribes of Israel. Those who saw it were horrified and said, “Such a thing has never been seen or done! … We must do something!” The people of Israel were in need of a king! 

Prayer Father, without you as our King and shepherd, we fall so easily into sin and moral corruption. Send shepherds and Bible teachers who may teach your word and lead young people to Jesus to be their King and Savior. 

One Word Such a thing should not be

WHAT BECOMES OF MICAH’S IDOLS

Judges 18:1-31 / Keywords 18:6

The priest answered them, “Go in peace. Your journey has the LORD’S approval.”

The Danites Settle in Laish

18:1 In those days Israel had no king.

And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 2 So the Danites sent five of their leading men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and explore it. These men represented all the Danites. They told them, “Go, explore the land.”

So they entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. 3 When they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they turned in there and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”

4 He told them what Micah had done for him, and said, “He has hired me and I am his priest.”

5 Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.”

6 The priest answered them, “Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.”

7 So the five men left and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure. And since their land lacked nothing, they were prosperous.[a] Also, they lived a long way from the Sidonians and had no relationship with anyone else.[b]

8 When they returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their fellow Danites asked them, “How did you find things?”

9 They answered, “Come on, let’s attack them! We have seen the land, and it is very good. Aren’t you going to do something? Don’t hesitate to go there and take it over. 10 When you get there, you will find an unsuspecting people and a spacious land that God has put into your hands, a land that lacks nothing whatever.”

11 Then six hundred men of the Danites, armed for battle, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. 12 On their way they set up camp near Kiriath Jearim in Judah. This is why the place west of Kiriath Jearim is called Mahaneh Dan[c] to this day. 13 From there they went on to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah’s house.

14 Then the five men who had spied out the land of Laish said to their fellow Danites, “Do you know that one of these houses has an ephod, some household gods and an image overlaid with silver? Now you know what to do.” 15 So they turned in there and went to the house of the young Levite at Micah’s place and greeted him. 16 The six hundred Danites, armed for battle, stood at the entrance of the gate. 17 The five men who had spied out the land went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods while the priest and the six hundred armed men stood at the entrance of the gate.

18 When the five men went into Micah’s house and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”

19 They answered him, “Be quiet! Don’t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” 20 The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people. 21 Putting their little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them, they turned away and left.

22 When they had gone some distance from Micah’s house, the men who lived near Micah were called together and overtook the Danites. 23 As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?”

24 He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”

25 The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.” 26 So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.

27 Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. 28 There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else. The city was in a valley near Beth Rehob.

The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. 29 They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish. 30 There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses,[d] and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. 31 They continued to use the idol Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.

Footnotes

a. Judges 18:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

b. Judges 18:7 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts with the Arameans

c. Judges 18:12 Mahaneh Dan means Dan’s camp.

d. Judges 18:30 Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; many other Hebrew manuscripts and some other Septuagint manuscripts Manasseh

1. The Danites had difficulty settling into their allotted inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead of trusting in God’s promise to tread the territory (Joshua 1:3), the Danites sought a place to migrate and settle.

2. Five spies were sent out in search of a suitable place. And on their journey, they stopped at Micah’s house and spent a night there. Being acquainted with Micah’s young Levite priest and getting a blessing from him, they went on their way and found a secluded town suitable for their purpose. The five spies returned the report and assembled six hundred armed men to take the place (11). On their way, the five spies remembered Micah’s household shrine with assorted idols completed with a Levite man as a priest who had proper priestly garments (14). They took the idols and the Levite young man to install in their tribe’s shrine by force (18-20).

3. Ironically, God proved Micah’s judgment unfit (17:13). God does not bless those who despise his will and fail to obey him. Is your heart right with God? We can do the right thing as we deny ourselves and follow the Lord (Mt 16:24)

Prayer Father, thank you for making your will clear through your words. I want to obey you fully without altering any word you have spoken.

One Word Worship God, not idols