Judges
chapter 18 reminds us of how easily corruption is spread. The
chapter begins, “The
tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they
might settle“.
Actually, according to Joshua 19:47; they were given an inheritance,
but “they
had difficulty taking possession of their territory“.
Rather than committing to accepting their responsibility, they took
the easy way out. The tribe of Dan sent spies out into the land of
Ephraim to explore it, “and
came to the house of Micah“.
Remember from the previous chapter that Micah had created his own
false house of worship complete with idols and a private priest for
hire. When the spies recognized the voice of the priest (possibly
his accent?), they asked, “Why
are you here?”
The priest explained, “He
hired me and I am his priest“.
Next we read a humorous exchange. The band of spies asked the
priest for hire to inquire of the false idols if their journey of
rebellion will be successful. Without hesitation, the priest told
the well-armed spies they have “the
Lord’s approval“.
Never seek spiritual guidance from someone you are paying for the
service. No one wants to hear a rebuke, but only someone that loves
you with God’s love will take the time to challenge you toward
righteousness.
The
chapter continues, “The
five spies came to Laish, where they saw a people living in safety…
and lacked nothing“.
Upon returning to their brothers, they reported, “Come
on, let’s attack them!”
“Then
six hundred men from the clan of Dan, armed for battle, set out… to
the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah“.
They planned to steal the silver idols and bring them to the new
land. When the priest approached, they said, “Come
with us and be our father and priest. Isn’t it better that you
serve a tribe and clan… as priest, rather than just one man’s
household?”
We read simply, “He
was glad“.
Perhaps he saw the opportunity for more wealth. “He
took the ephod, the other household gods and carved image and went
along with the people“.
What a contrast to true worship and forgiveness through God. God’s
Holy Spirit produces such abundance that we can’t help but share
our faith with anyone in need. Jesus explained to the apostles as He
sent them out, “Freely
you have received, freely give“.
The
chapter ends with the Danites attacking and destroying the city of
Laish. “The
Danites rebuilt the city and settled there and named it Dan after
their forefather… there the Danites set up for themselves… the
idols Micah had made“.
The text even explains that this idol worship continued “until
the captivity of the land“.
This tragic story of how one man’s idolatry lead a nation into
captivity reminds us of the impact we can have on others around us.
In the book of Romans, chapter 5, the apostle explains how sin
entered the world through the disobedience of one man- Adam. But the
good news for all to hear is, by faith, we can receive God’s
abundant provision of grace through one man’s righteousness- Jesus
Christ. “For
just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made
sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man many will be
made righteous.”
We each have a choice, the selfishness of our own idols, or the
abundance of God’s immeasurable grace. “As
for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
(Joshua 24:15).