In this chapter, the tribe of Dan settles in another land because they were unable to drive out the people in the land given to them by God. The chapter begins, “Now in those days Israel had no king. And the tribe of Dan was trying to find a place to settle, for they had not yet driven out the people who lived in the land assigned to them. So the men of Dan chose five warriors from among their clans, who lived in the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out a land for them to settle in.” (Judges 18;1-2)
Question: If God gave each tribe land to settle in, why were they not able to drive out the people? Read Joshua 23 and 24 from our lessons for the answer.
The text continues, “When these warriors arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, they came to Micah’s home and spent the night there. Noticing the young Levite’s accent, they took him aside and asked him, “Who brought you here, and what are you doing? Why are you here?” He told them about his agreement with Micah and that he was Micah’s personal priest. Then they said, “Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.”
“Go in peace, “ the priest replied. “For the Lord will go ahead of you on your journey.” So the five men went on to the town of Laish, where they noticed the people living carefree lives, like the Sidonians; they were peaceful and secure. The people were also wealthy because their land was very fertile. And they lived a great distance from Sidon and had no allies nearby.” (Judges 18;2-7)
The scouts returned home and informed their leaders that the land was fertile and lacking in nothing, and they should attack. As a result, 600 warriors from the tribe of Dan went to the hill country of Ephraim to conquer the land. They stopped at Micah’s house, and the five men who scouted the area, took the carved image, the sacred ephod, and all the household idols. “When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah's shrine, he said, “What are you doing?”
“Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe of Israel than just for the household of one man?” (Judges 18;18-19)
The young priest was happy to go with them. Micah and some neighbors eventually chased after them to collect their items, but Micah realized that there were too many of them and he returned home. “Then, with Micah’s idols and his priest, the men of Dan came to the town of Laish, whose people were peaceful and secure. They attacked and killed all the people and burned the town to the ground. There was no one to rescue the residents of the town, for they lived a great distance from Sidon and had no allies nearby. This happened in the valley near Beth-rehob.” (Judges 18;27-28)
The chapter ends with the tribe of Dan worshiping Micah’s carved image in the city they conquered, rebuilt, and renamed Dan, after their ancestor.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us destroy our idols and worship only you! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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