Sorry this has been a long time coming because of our missions trip, but for any of you who need a reminder about where we are in Judges…
Chapter 17
Verses 1-6, Most people believe these last 5 chapters of Judges actually took place before chapter 3 and the arrival of the judges. If so, it would make this account the first official instance of idol worship and the subversion of the first tribe of Israel–Dan.
–Notice the wickedness of the mother, son, and grandchildren. There is a total lack of godly authority and government authority as repeated in 17:6; 18:1; 19:1.
–The “worship” being perpetrated here is still under the same of Jehovah just as in Aaron and the golden calf. See Ex. 20:1-4 and 32:1-8.
Verses 7-13, Here we see forms and rituals without meaning. Men who care nothing about God or knowing God still want their forms. It is easy to deceive oneself by partial reformation. Just because in one particular instance they are no longer as bad as they have been–now they are as good as they should be!
Chapter 18
Verses 1-13, Just because things “fall into place” does not mean that God is pleased or involved. Think: mother’s blessing, Levite arriving, 5 men of Dan, truth of prophesy, etc… Clear direction comes to us through God’s Word.
Verses 14-20, How crazy this would be to any Jew who knew what the Levites were supposed to be! We should not allow ambition or money to affect our service to the Lord.
Verses 21-24, How ridiculous would 24 have sounded! It is a sad day when our gods can be taken away from us.
Verses 25-31, Notice the contrast of verse 31. False worship while the True God had His living presence and glory not far away in the tabernacle. See Deut. 27:15.
–Read Isaiah 44:13-22 for a good summary of this problem.