Judges 18 - Introduction

A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 18

Judges 18:1-6

Men of Dan at the house of Micah. The further history of the false worship instituted by Micah is traced out in this chapter. The men of Dan who were seeking additional territory in which to settle were caught up with the false worship. From the fact of their recognizing the voice of the Levite, we assume they had some former connection with the man in charge of Micah's sanctuary. The five men of Dan asked the Levite to inquire concerning the outcome of their expedition; and when he informed them of the good auspices, they set out on their journey.

Judges 18:7-26

Micah's image stolen. The spies sent out from Dan returned to their brethren and informed them of the good land which was theirs for the taking, Six hundred men with weapons of war set out to take possession of the territory around Laish, near the extreme northern border of the Promised Land. As they made their way towards their new home, they went up again to the house of Micah and took the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, They also persuaded the unprincipled Levite to accompany them and serve as their false priest. Micah opposed them; but when he saw that they were too strong for him, he returned to his home.

Judges 18:27-31

False worship established in Dan. The irascible Danites stole the idols of Micah and his priest and took them to Laish. They attacked the city and burned it to the ground. When they rebuilt the city, they named it Dan; and here they set up the graven image of Micah.

LESSONS FOR LEARNING

1.

Replenish the earth, and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). When God created the earth, He gave it to man to possess. His blessing upon man in the beginning has been called the colonist's character, the missionary's manifesto. Some believe the Garden of Eden was a sample of what God intended for the whole earth to become. In a special way, God had given directions to the people of Israel as to His desire for them to go into the land and claim it for their inheritance. When the children of Joseph complained about their land being too small, Joshua told them to make good use of what they had. So with the Danites, when they found their land was not able to sustain them, they went out in search for additional territory. Man is God's capsheaf of creation, and all that is in the universe is for his possession and good use. What he does with it will be accounted for in judgment; and if he has been a good steward, he will be amply rewarded.

2.

Some preach the gospel for personal gain. The apostle Paul met those who had inferior motives for engaging in the work of the ministry. Although he could say he was glad for the gospel's being preached, his own high motives were certainly the best. The Levite, evidently a renegade from the true worship of God at the Tabernacle, first took his place with Micah and ministered at his pagan sanctuary. When he had an opportunity to serve as priest for a tribe instead of an individual, he offered little resistance to the Danites even though they stole the image at whose sanctuary he was to serve as priest.

3.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. The Israelites should have been very jealous to protect the true worship of God. The Ark was at Shiloh, but pagan worship was allowed to exist in Dan. Such a condition reached the state where God finally drove the people out of the land promised to their forefathers. The Israelites were told: Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).

TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 18

1.

Was there a king in the land when the Danites sought new land?

2.

How many men of Dan went to look for a new home?

3.

What was the name of the town where the Danites chose to settle?

4.

To what famous people were these citizens compared?

5.

How many soldiers went up out of Dan to attack the city?

6.

Where did they first pitch their camp as they started out?

7.

To what site in Judah was it near?

8.

What objects of worship did they take from the house of Micah?

9.

What was the name of the man established in the priesthood by Dan?

10.

What new name did the men of Dan give to the site of their new home?