4. IDOLATROUS CONTINUANCE (Judges 17 to 21)

These chapters, 17 and 18, picture a people who show a pretence at worshipping God, but do actions contrary to His revealed word and will. Micah set up in his home his own evil god and ordained his own priesthood. His home became a centre for idolatrous worship, soothsaying, divination and occult, meeting the desires of a superstitious people. He was encouraged in his idolatry by his mother (Judges 17:3-4 ). Mothers can be an example of good or of evil to their children, and they will give account to God for so doing.

1 Peter 4:5 "They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (NKJV)

When a young Levite priest came to stay with him, Micah took it for granted that he could expect the Lord to be good to him (Judges 17:13 ). The Levite's presence in his home could not hide his idolatry from God. But the Levite, by staying with Micah, condoned his idolatry (Judges 17:12 ). The influence of Micah's idolatry spread abroad and the Danites stole his idols and persuaded the Levite to join them (Judges 18:18-20 ).

Chapter 19 deals with the sordid story of the Levite's concubine, the inhospitable Benjamites (Judges 19:15 ) and the hospitable aged field worker (Judges 19:16-21 ). We are reminded in Hebrews 13:2 not to be forgetful about entertaining strangers. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35.

Doing what was right in one's own eyes led to abomination and wickedness. There was no leader of any kind. Man's selfish wantonness went to lower depths of degradation. The horrific events of the Levite and his concubine in chapter 19, led to civil war in chapter 20, and terrible retribution in chapter 21 for those of Jabez-Gilead who had not come to war. Four hundred virgin girls were taken and given to those who had gone for refuge in Rimmon. They carry off another 200 from Shiloh. These terrible events saved the tribe of Benjamin from extinction. Such is the consequence of turning from the Lord and being in servitude to the devil.

The book of Judges is a warning to put ourselves under the authority of God's rule. Not to act on our own opinions of right and wrong, but to base our actions and viewpoints upon the revelation of the Scriptures, and develop our spirit conscience by the revelation and knowledge imparted by the Holy Spirit.

God's true men and women submit all their plans, desires and motives to God - seeking to do His will on earth as it is in heaven.

Judges 21:25 "... every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (KJV)

Rather let each of us put God and His kingdom first.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (NKJV)

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. By the action of using a Levite priest, did Micah seek to authenticate his idolatrous worship? (Judges 17:5-6,12-13 ). Do you see a picture of apostacy of these days?
2. What is the message of these two chapters (Judges 17 and 18 )? Are you influenced by the Canaanite (i.e worldly) concepts? (Romans 12:2 )
3. Are you shocked by the depravity recorded in Chapter 19, or have you become insensitive by media accounts of today's atrocities?
4. Do you believe that commitment to God is a nation's barrier against moral corruption? (Judges 20:1-3 ).
5. Do these closing chapters show the spiritual and moral decline that follows when the rule of the day is doing what is right in one's own eyes? (Judges 21:25 ).