Judges 18
Scripture
Judges 18:19-20
They answered him, “Be quiet! Don’t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” Then the priest was glad. He took the ephod, the other household gods and the carved image and went along with the people.
Observation-What does it say?
The Danites were looking for a place to settle, so they sent 5 men to explore the land. Along their journey, they ended up near Micah’s house, where they met a young Levite priest. They asked him to inquire of the Lord whether their journey had God’s approval. The young Levite priest told them to go in peace as their journey was approved by the Lord. After scoping out the land, the 5 warriors returned home to Zorah and Eshtaol and encouraged the Danites to attack Laish. On their way back to Laish, they decided to stop over at Micah’s house again and steal their idols. In addition to stealing their idols, they also convinced the young Levite priest to come with them and be their priest. He willfully consented.
Understanding-What does it mean?
God judges the heart, not the outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7
The young Levite priest knew religious phrases and gave the impression that he operated in authority of being close with God, as he gave permission to the 5 warrior spies to proceed on their journey in peace (vs. 6), but his heart was obviously far from the Lord. Being a priest was just a job to him and he was in it for the wealth and recognition. When the opportunity came for him to increase his fame, pride set in and the love of money set in and he willfully agreed to go with the Danites. In addition, he was the one who took the ephod and the other idols/gods when he went along with the Danite people. (Reference: Jeremiah Study Bible)
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. Matt. 15: 8-9
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt. 7:22
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Matt. 7:15
Life Application
“It’s not about lip service, but about the heart.” -Brian Moen
Being in God’s Word daily helps us to discern what’s true from what’s false. In Soul Journal class a couple of days ago, the Holy Spirit directed me to lead the class to soul journal on Philippians 3. Paul was speaking about how although he had reason to put confidence in his flesh (and listed those reasons), he had NO reason to boast, except to boast in Jesus Christ. His righteousness was not of his own, but rather righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ. As a result of this discussion, one of our Catalyst students, Brian Moen said, “It’s not about lip service, but about the heart.” and that applies to our chapter today. The religious leaders and Jews in those days knew all the right words to say, but their hearts were far from the Lord. Their motives for serving God were not pure. Because their hearts were far from God, their rebellion was inevitable.
Let’s not just honor Him with our lips, but with our lives. Let our actions prove that He is Lord of our lives and not money, fame, popularity, or selfish gain. And let our love for each other also prove that we are His children.