The Book of Judges

 The Book of Judges was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Judges 18:1-31

 

Introduction:

The chapter before us deals with the tribe of Dan. Some biographical background on him would be helpful.

In (Gen. 49:17) he is likened to a poisonous serpent, to a lion in (Deut. 33:22) and is associated with the bulls of Bashan (see Psa. 22). All of these suggest the Devil. Dan goes through the tribulation unsealed (Rev. 7), and is the first tribe to go into apostasy with the long-robed "fathers" (Jud. 17,18), and images as "an aid to worship." Jezebel and Ahab are associated with this tribe (1 Kings 16-19), and Dan is found attacking someone's "heel" in (Gen. 49:17 and Gen. 3:15). Dan becomes Phoenician with a Phoenician religion of Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Cuba and Mexico today and will soon be the official religion of the United States.
 

I. There was no king in Israel - (18:1-6)

A. At this point Israel not only has no king but after Samson's death, there is no judge. The emphasis is there is no ruling authority (17:6; 18:11 19:1), but every man does that which is right in his own eyes.

The Laodicean Church has laid aside a Bible that is able to judge and direct it. (Eccl. 8:4)

B. The tribe of Dan sends a group of scouts to spy out the land to help them enlarge their borders. When they came to Micah's house, they knew the young priest. Evidently, they had become acquainted with him on his circuit riding trips (Matt. 23:15). Typical of today's carnal Christian, they seek man's counsel for direction rather than God's direction. We live in the day of multiple counselors!
 

II. No magistrates in the land - (18:7-13)

The men of Dan discover Laish which is a place that is "quiet and secure" (vs. 7) and "a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth" (vs. 10). The determination is made to invade the land. All of this seems to be possible because in this place as well there is no ruling authority to order a ready defense. (Rom. 13:1-7; Tit. 3:1)

 

III. Don't forget to pack a god! - (18:14-21)

Six hundred men of war show up at Micah's house and decide to take his god collection and invite his priest to go along as well. The priest sees this as an opportunity for upward mobility and jumps at the chance.

The ecumenical spirit is: "any god and any priest will do - just look religious." (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
 

IV. The protest of the religious - (18:22-26)

Micah gathers the parish together to chase Dan down and register his protest. It Is soon determined that the invaders are too strong for him, and under threat of death, Micah turns back. The moral of the story is the true believer doesn't need any stuff to continue in his worship. If they steal our hymnbooks, we know the songs through repetition. If they bum all the Bibles, we have "hid the Word of God in our hearts." All other "aids" to worship are unnecessary. (Jas. 1:27)

 

V. Pagans killing pagans - (18:27-31)

The picture is the end of the Laodicean age when people have a sense of security (vs. 27), and suddenly, destruction comes.

Here is the setup:

A. No judge - (1 Cor. 11:31)

B. No king - (1 Tim. 6:12-15)

C. A false sense of security - (1 Thess. 5: 1-3)

D. Multiple idols and images - (1 Thess. 1:9; Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 10:14)

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