King Lemuel lived in a world (much like ours) where women were usually seen as objects to be used and looked at. His mother taught him better. She taught him to look for a wife of true excellence. The real trophy wives are the ones who do good for others: their husbands, their kids, the needy around them. They spend their lives not on vain things, but on helping others, because they fear the LORD.
LORD, give us the wisdom to choose, or be – real trophy wives.
The LORD calls on his people to prepare their case, and he will argue his. He had established his nation in order to declare his glory, but they had shamed him. All the animal sacrifices in the world cannot atone for that. The LORD simply wanted his people to do good works – to be just, kind, and humble before him. That would bring him glory. Instead, they followed their corrupt kings and filled the land with deceit and violence. Case closed. Punishment deserved.
LORD, we want to bring glory to your name. Teach us how to be fair, kind, and humble before your greatness.
Proverbs 30:1-31:9
Agur’s bucket list is simple. Hew does not ask for a bunch of stuff because he knows that stuff does not satisfy. He asks for character that lives above reproach. To be honest and “normal” is to fulfill one’s destiny as a human being.
LORD, give us honest words and righteous character. This is what we ask for.
Micah 5
When the Messiah comes, his rescued people will no longer need battle preparations, but will live in peace in their own land. They will also participate in his dominion of the nations. This Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, and will be great to the ends of the earth. Micah combines aspects of Christ’s first and second comings. He sees the Lord’s advents from a distance. The LORD also sees our lives that way. He sees the struggles you now face in the present. But he also sees your eternal victory in the future. He believes in you because he loves you. And he also knows the full story.
LORD, give us the insight to believe in our full story.
Proverbs 29
A stiff neck is one that refuses to move, even when there is cause for it. This is how the sages described a person who was rebuked many times for engaging in destructive behavior, yet never changed. Perhaps some of your friends have been pointing out a need in your own life for a change. Perhaps you are hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit prompting you to do so. Listen! Turn before it is too late. A neck broken beyond healing is death.
LORD, forgive us for our stubbornness. Help us o change.
Micah 4
This promise needs to be read in the context of the threat from the LORD in Micah 3. Mt. Zion must first be reduced to rubble in judgment, then the LORD will restore it and make it into the mount where people come to learn about him and his ways. The LORD will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away. God has only one assembly that he gathers from among the nations. Are you his?
LORD, we submit to your judgment for our sins. Redeem us – those you had cast off. restore your kingdom, LORD.
Proverbs 27-28
One of the tests of real friendship is the courage to rebuke when your friend needs it. We are all fallible, and the LORD sometimes calls on us to point out the rough spots in the lives of those closest to us. If we have built a relationship that ensures our friends of our faithfulness both to the LORD and to them, they will understand where our criticism comes from. But we have to risk it, even if they do not understand.
LORD, give us the love for our friends to sharpen them when they need it. Also, give us the wisdom to accept sharpening when our friends need to rebuke us.
Micah 3
Micah spoke out against a corrupt leadership. The priests, prophets and political heads were stirring up the people to war against those who refused to give them tribute or bribes. As such, they were devouring their people. The greed and violence was so prominent that the LORD had determined to plow the whole city of Jerusalem like a field. God cannot stand it when people who call themselves by his name take advantage of each other for their own profit. He will judge them.
LORD, forgive us for making choices on the basis of selfish gain. Teach us to deal honorably with each other because we are yours.
Several of these proverbs explain that wise sayings are useless to an unwise person. It is as if these are warnings and instructions for those who might stumble upon some truth, and attempt to utilize it without having established a relationship with God first. Don’t try it. Go to the LORD, and ask him to make you into a wise person. Then you will be equipped to act wisely.
LORD, transform us, so that your instruction may be useful to us.
Micah prophesied to a people who were busy taking advantage of each other. They would devise ways of ruining their neighbors for their own profit – while still lying in bed in the morning. Then they would get up and do their evil deeds. Micha told them that God was doing the same thing to them. They would face disaster, and their children who survived would go into exile. They told him not to preach such things. They wanted a preacher who would tell them that wine and strong drink were their destinies.
LORD, give us ears to hear your whole word before it is too late for our generation.
Proverbs 25-26
