In all the many years since Israel had begun to listen to God and was to have taken His commandments to heart, Israel had turned away from Him and the laws he had given them to help them to start their nation. Each man or woman who had taken the goodly position of Judge in God's name, was unable to keep the people from doing his or her own thing rather than doing what God asked of them. Their sins of disobedience brought great troubles to the people and the nation of Israel.
Study/ "Many of the people who became leaders of the Israelites were morally declining, so the nation that was to set the example for spiritual living had instead become morally depraved. When Israel did serve God, and that was seldom, it was often from selfish motives. Selfish obedience does not bring us far. Genuine obedience is motivated by a love and reverence for God himself."
Now, back to God's story. A man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse--I have that silver with me! I took it." His mother was so pleased that it was not altogether lost, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol. Therefore, I will give it back to you." So he returned all of the silver to his mother, and she gave two hundred shekels back to her son, to make an image and an idol for Micah's home for a shrine. When the ephod and the idol were completed, Micah installed one of his sons as his priest, for in those days, everyone did as he saw fit.
At the same time, a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left his home in search of some other place to stay and he came upon Micah's home. Micah was thrilled to hear that this man would agree to live with him, and be his priest, and gave him wages of silver, clothes to wear and food.
Now, at this same time, the tribe of Danites were seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into their inheritance among the tribes of Israel. So the Danites sent warriors to spy out the land and they came upon the house of Micah, and they recognized the voice of the young priest. They asked him, "What are you doing in this place? Who brought you here? Why are you here?" And he told them what Micah had done for him, and said, "He has hired me and I am his priest."
The Danites found and took note of the ephod, the other household gods, a carved image and a cast idol. So they spoke to the priest that Micah had created and convinced him to follow them with the ephod and other images. They turned away and left.
When they had gotten some distance away, the men from Micah's house and those who lived near him decided to overtake the Danites, who turned around and threatened them, shouting, "What's the matter with you to try and overtake us." And Micah himself answered, "You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, 'What's the matter with you'" And Micah, seeing they were too strong for him, turned around sadly and went back home.
And so, the Danites set up for themselves the idols and craven goods they stole from Micah, after they had taken over the city of Laish and its people. And the man who had become a priest and his sons became the priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land.
How unhappy our God must have been as his people from the tribe of Dan lived and died believing in their false gods! Study/ "Through this entire incident, no one desired to worship God; instead, they wanted to use God for selfish gain. Today some people go to church to feel better, be accepted. relieve guilt, and gain business contacts or friends. Beware of following God for selfish gain rather than selfless service."
Another point made by the Study/ "Priests and their assistants were all members of the tribe of Levi. They were to serve the people, teach them how to worship God, and perform the rituals involved in the worship services both at the tabernacle and in the designated cities throughout the land. This disobedient priest showed disrespect for God in many ways. This story shows how pagan influences and moral depravity had crept into every corner of Israelite culture. Although 300 years had passed since they entered the promised land, they still had not destroyed the idolatry and evil practices within it."
It makes me wonder if some of the harmless seeming habits in my life may become a dominating force. The values, attitudes, and practices each of us may have adopted from the world's system can be exposed by applying the light of God's truth to them. I know that once I see them for what they are, I can begin to uproot them. I will give no examples, for they are obvious. One, for certain is the common use of the Lord's title and name!
We all have things that must really bother our Father!
Yours in Christ,
Jo INMN
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