Judges 17-18 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“There was a man from the hill country of Ephraim named Micah. He said to his mother, ‘The 1100 pieces taken from you, and that I have heard you utter a curse about – here, I have the silver with me. I took it. So now I return it to you.’ His mother said, ‘May Adonai bless my son,’ as he restored the 1100 pieces of silver to his mother. Then his mother said, ‘I solemnly dedicate this money of mine to Adonai, in order for my son to make a carved image overlaid with silver. So I’m giving it back to you.’” Judges 17:1-3

Chronologically, the story of Samson in Judges 13-16 occurs after the events of Judges 17-18. As I mentioned yesterday, the story of Samson is the story of a real man’s exploits, as well as a metaphor for Israel’s idolatry & spiritual adultery.

Samson was from the tribe of Dan. Judges 13: 2-3 The tribe of Dan’s moral decline begins with a woman of Ephraim’s worship confusion. She dedicates 1100 pieces of silver to make an “image” and other objects for her son to worship the L_rd. Interestingly, the pinnacle of Samson’s moral, physical, and spiritual decline is when Delilah sells him to the Philistines for 1100 pieces of silver. In the person of Samson, G_d is sending a profound message to Dan, and all Israel: Serve me as I have commanded you. Do not add or take away from my Torah (law/teaching).

“This man Micah had a shrine and he made an ephod and household idols, and he installed one of his sons to be his priest. In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.” Judges 17:5-6

The sin of one person can impact a whole nation. Rabbi Saul (apostle Paul) said “A little leaven spoils the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9 Yeshua said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.” Matt 16:6. That is to say, beware of both the unnecessary legalist, and the worldly Jew.

The woman of Ephraim’s lack of knowledge of how to worship the L_rd was transferred to her son. Then we see how he transferred his idolatry to his son, and then a traveling young Levite priest…looking for people to minister to.

“He answered him, ‘I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I’m going to settle wherever I can find a place. Micah replied, ‘Stay with me and be my father and priest…’ Judges 17:10a

Finally, scouts from the tribe of Dan come to the home of Micah the Ephraimite, and steal his Levite priest and his idols.

“The people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Manasseh, and his sons were priests for the Danite tribe until the time of the exile from the land. So they set up themselves Micah’s carved image that he had made, and it was there as long as the house of Israel was in Shiloh.” Judges 18:30-31

Lesson: We should seek ONLY G_d’s Word to know Him, and rest within His Grace, Mercy, Requirements and Love. Whenever we stray from the truth of the Bible, when we supplement the World’s philosophy for G_d’s Word, it always trends downward and leads us onto a path of destruction.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014