Judges 18 | Idolatry Goes Tribal

0:00You're listening to the dope Daily Audio Bible and I'm your God Pastor Charlie Mitchell and today we're looking at Judges chapter 18, Let's Roll. In those days there was no king in Israel and the Danite tribe was looking for territory to occupy. Up to that time no territory had been captured by them among the tribes of Israel. So the Danites sent out five brave men from all their clans from Zora and Eshtalo to scout out the land and explore it. They told them, go and explore the land. They came to the hill country of Ephraim as far as the home of Micah and spent the night there. While there were near Micah's home, they recognized the accent of the young Levi. So they went over to him and asked, Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here? He told them, This is what Micah has done for me. He's hired me and I became his priest. Then he said to him, Please inquire of God for us to determine if we will have a successful journey. He's told them, go and peace. The Lord is watching over the journey you are going on.

1:01The five men left and came to layish. They saw that the people who were there were living securely in the same way as the Siddonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. They were far from the Siddonians having no alliance with anyone. When the men went back to their relatives at Zora and Eshtalo, their relatives asked them, What did you find out? They answered. Come on. Let's attack them for we have seen the land and it is very good. Why wait? Don't hesitate to go and invade and take possession of the land. When you get there, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land for God has handed it over to you. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking. 600 Danites departed from Zora and Eshtalo armed with weapons of war. They went up and camped at Keria Jaram in Judah. This is why the place is still called the camp of day and today. It is west of Keria Jaram. From there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and arrived at Micah's house.

2:01The five men who had gone out to scout it in the land of Laish told their brothers. Did you know that there is an Ephod, household gods and a carved image and a silver idol in these houses? Now think about what you should do. So they detoured there and went to the house of the young Levi at the home of Micah and greeted him. The 600 Danite men were standing by the entrance of the city gate, armed with their weapons of war. Then the five men who had gone out to scout the land went in and took the carved image, the Ephod, the household items and the silver idol while the priest was standing by the entrance of the city gate with the 600 men armed with weapons of war. When they entered Micah's house and took the carved image, the Ephod, the household items and the silver idol, the priest said to them, what are you doing? They told them, be quiet, keep your mouth shut, come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Isn't it better for you to be a household of a priest of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and a family in Israel?

3:03So the priest was pleased and took the Ephod, household items and carved image and went with the people. They prepared to leave, putting their dependence, livestock and possessions in front of them. After they were some distance from Micah's house, the men who were in the houses near it were mustered and caught up with the Danites. They called to the Danites who turned to face them and said to Micah, what's the matter with you that you mustered the men? He said, you took the gods I had made and the priest and went away. What do I have left? How can you say to me what's the matter with you? The Danites said to him, don't raise your voice against us or angry men will attack you and you and your family will lose your lives. The Danites went on their way and Micah turned to go back home because he saw that they were stronger than he was. After they had taken the gods Micah had made and the priest that belonged to him, they went to layish to acquire and unsuspecting people. They killed them with the swords and burned the city. There was no one to rescue them because it was far from side on and they had no alliance

4:03with anyone. It was in a valley that belonged to Bethra Hope. They rebuilt the city and lived in it. They named the city Dan. After the name of their ancestor Dan who was born in Israel, the city was formerly named Laiish. The Danites set up the carved image for themselves. Jonathan, son of Gershim, son of Moses and his sons were priests for the Danite tribe until the time of the exile from the land. So they set up for themselves Micah's carved image that he had made and it was there as long as the house of God was in Shailah. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I pray that you will keep us from chasing what seems easy while ignoring what is right. Guard our hearts from taking shortcuts that cost us our integrity. It's just to seek your direction before we make moves that impact other people. When opportunity presents itself, help us to ask not just can we but should we shape our ambition around humility and our decisions with reverence for you. In Jesus name I pray, amen.