SCRIPTURE: JUDGES 18
DANITES SETTLE IN LAISH (vs. -31)
Since there was no king at that time, the tribe of Danites was seeking a place to settle. They sent five warriors from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and to explore it. The men went to the house of Micah and saw the priest. They inquired him about the journey and the priest told them that their journey had the Lord’s approval. So the five men left and saw the people living there safe and secure. When they returned to Zorah and Estaol, they reported that the land was very good and they should take it over. So, 600 men from the clan of Danites armed for battle. The 5 spies told them that in Micah’s house has an ephod, to her household gods, a carved image and a cast idol. So the 5 men together with the 600 Danites went there and took the images. Then they offer the priest to become priest of the tribe and the priest went with them. They went on to Laish and attacked them with sword and burned down their city. The Danites rebuilt the city and named it Dan after their forefather Dan. There, the Danites set out for themselves the idols. Jonathan, the grandson of Moses and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan.
THOUGHTS:
The Danites kidnapped the hireling priest of the false religion and stole the idols. They set up their own center of idolatrous worship in open disobedience to God. Their false security did not last long.
The people including the Levite priest wanted to use God for selfish gain. Today, some people go to church to feel better, to be accepted, to gain business contacts and friends. Beware of following God for selfish gain rather than selfless service.
An idol is anything that takes God’s place in a person’s life. Some people invest all their energy in pursuit of money, success, positions, possessions and career. If these idols are taken away, only an empty shell is left. The only way to protect yourself against such consequence is to invest your life in the living God whom you never can lose.
Pagan practices had crept into the Israelite culture because they did not totally destroyed idolatry and evil practices. When we allow “harmless” habits in our life, there is a tendency to become the dominating forces. Let God’s truth be our guide in our values, attitudes and practices.