A Tribe Ruled by Pseudo Religious Assurances

Introduction

D. Some are ruled by religious cliques rather than Biblical Truth.

P. Be knowledgeable to know what is pleasing to God and not just culturally religious.

T. The culture of the day was do what you think is right. In the need for conquest and more space we see the fullest extent of this.

1. Counsel for Conquest. (Judges 18:1-7)

Explain

Their inheritance had not fallen to them....1

The Danites have not conquered their territory allotted to them. In fact, they have been chased by the Philistines into the hills.

Judges 1:34 “34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:”

A burgeoning population necessitates expansion. Thus the tribe counsels on expansion

Sends spies

Search the land

The spies journey takes them through to Mount Ephraim where they meet up with Micah’s priest. They knew this wandering priest from elsewhere.

They want him to make request of God for them.

They desire reassurance on their mission of conquest.

Like any compromising preacher he tells them what they want to hear.

He had compromised by being Micah’s priest.

He had compromised to be a priest to false gods. Exodus 20:3 “3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Deuteronomy 21:5 “5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the Lord; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:”

Peace to you of God.

The presence of God.

and Prosperity is promised because of God’s peace and presence.

Judges 18:6 “6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.”

Argue

Was conquest wrong? No. God had given them the land. Sometimes though obedience delays until the situation becomes very uncomfortable.

Conquest as God commanded at first would have been the best. Judges 2:2–3 “2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.”

Illustrate: A little weeds in a garden soon become big weeds and rob vital nutrients from you plants.

Apply

2. Call for Conquest (Judges 18:8-13)

Explain

The brethren are in the tramping grounds where Samson grew up. Between Eshtaol and Zorah.

The Danites want a report.

The spies report is a call to Arise, Arms, and abundance.

Arise

Genesis 13:17 “17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”

Gideon and Deborah had arisen to battle with success. Now these Danites are moved to get moving.

Now...

arise that we may go up...18:9

be not slothful to go...18:9

Hebrews 6:12 “12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Were they not in the promised land.

What have you been promised of God. Are you diligent to arise and expect God to do as he promised.

Arm

They got their weapons ready for battle.

Now...

go up against them… 18:9

enter to possess the land 18:9

Likewise we as Christians are told to be ready for battle. Ephesians 6:10–12 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Abundance

They encourage their comrades on with the rewards of conquest.

The land is very good.

when ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth. 16:10

Argue

They moved on in obedience to the original command to go possess.

It is interesting that in spite of their incomplete knowledge of God and the blessing of some liberal priest that they are successful in the start of their conquest.

Illustrate

Apply

In like manner we are to arise to the call of conquest.

What battles are you facing?

Are you willing to stand up? Not based on a liberal preacher’s promise, but on the promises of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 “20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Perhaps there is compromise to sin. Paul admonishes Ephesians 5:14–15 “14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

We are called to take arms.

1 Peter 1:13–14 “13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

While the Israelites faced physical opponents. We are called to take the battle to spiritual opponents. Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

We are in spiritual battles in our culture.

Many ways to heaven

More than two genders

Political divides

Etc.

Stand firm on God’s promises.

We are promised abundance.

James 1:12 “12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

3. Confiscation for conquest (Judges 8:14-18a)

Explain

Until this point the conquest of the Danites seems to be fine and ethical. They are looking to take what God has allotted to them, but then sin enters the campaign.

They have gotten the troops ready in Kirjath-jearim and have now marched to Mount Ephraim all the way to Micah’s house, the man who has the house of idols.

Instead of lawfully confronting idolatry. They confiscate the idolatrous objects for their own use. This is wrong in more ways than one.

Idolatry: Exodus 20:3 “3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Idols: Exodus 20:4 “4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:”

Greed: Exodus 20:17 “17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”

Do you know there is in these houses an ephod, and a teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image?

Now consider what ye have to do.

They mistakenly believe idolatrous objects will aid their success.

Much like Israel would later do in Samuel’s day with the ark of the covenant in their battle with the Philistines. (1 Samuel 4)

Robbery: Exodus 20:15 “15 Thou shalt not steal.”

The five spies go and take Micah’s images and ephod.

Argue

The argument is the same old argument used today. If something would benefit the majority it is right to take from the minority. Communism in a microform. Forceful takeover and possession of wealth by the strong for the majorities profit.

Illustrate

Apply

Sometimes we believe we must have what the culture values to guarantee success.

Sometimes we might think as Christians we must have the trendiest everything, the biggest rallies, and the most popular preachers if we will really reach our community for Christ. We put our hope in objects instead of the Gospel.

Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

4. Consent of a priest captured in conquest. (Judges 18:18b-21)

Explain

Jonathan the priest confronts their theft.

Jonathan the priest is glad by their offer to be a priest to a whole tribe.

How this young man has compromised to please those who want his services.

Hold, lay, go, father, priest to us,

Glad, took, teraphim, graven image, the midst. He is whole hog with the plan. He views this compromise as a major promotion.

he was a hireling. Judges 18:4 “4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.”

Is your commitment to truth only go until you are bribed or afraid of consequences for going against flow of culture and your friends?

John 15:14 “14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

John 10:12–13 “12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

He should have never been a priest of Micah’s and he certianly was not to be a designated priest for a tribe.

Argue

Jonathan the priest bought into the philosophy: bigger is better.

The right philosophy is never compromise the truth.

Pragmatism the ends justifies the means is never pleasing to God.

Psalm 106:3 “3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.”

Illustrate

Apply

What does it take for you to consent to evil?

Proverbs 1:10 “10 My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.”

Be committed to do right no matter if it costs your life.

5. Confrontation by the robbed. (Judges 18:22-26)

Explain

Micah finds out his gods and priest are gone and overtakes the Danites 600 men.

Argue

Illustrate

Apply

6. Conquest Completed. (Judges 18:27-29)

Explain

Conequest is easy.

secure

separated

Smitten

No Savior

Argue

Illustrate

Apply

Don’t get self-sufficient.

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

We need the fellowship and accountability of other believers.

7. Constitution of a man created religion substitute. (Judges 8:30-31)

Explain

Priest

Idols

During the Time of the house of God in SHiloh.

Argue

Illustrate

Apply

They chose a different god.

they chose a different priesthood.

They chose their own ways.

Conclusion

In your life do you make the battles of life based on the counsel of peers and ungodly priests or spiritual authorities who are in blatant disobedience to God?

The call for conquest is good, but God is not on your side just cuz you are out to battle. Make sure you are going about battle God’s way.

The mission may be successful but never constitute a justification for yourself based on your own doings.