Following on the heels of yesterday’s post about all of the high places Israel was sacrificing to and how that was displeasing to God, let’s read Judges 17.
So on the surface, this chapter appears to be a random, almost confusing story.
But the truth is, it’s a snapshot of ancient Israel’s spiritual collapse.
And it’s not subtle, which makes it even more dangerous.
It starts off talking about some homie named Micah, who steals a large amount of silver from his own mother.
He hears her pronounce a curse over the thief… and suddenly gets nervous.
So he returns the money.
And what does his mother do?
She blesses him in the name of the Lord.
There’s no correction nor rebuke.
Just…“The Lord bless you.”
That indicates everything is already off.
But it gets worse.
She then takes that same silver and says she’s dedicating it “to the Lord”… by turning it into an idol.
Holy green turnip tarnations!
An idol for the Lord?!
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…or both.
This ain’t ignorance.
This is spiritual confusion at a deep level…
People were mixing truth and error and calling it worship.
What happens next is even more laughable.
Micah builds his own little religion.
He sets up a personal shrine, makes a bunch of household gods, creates an ephod, and then installs his own son as priest.
But this tragic comedy is just beginning.
Next, a wandering Levite shows up.
The Levites were from the tribe set apart for service to God.
But this homie is looking for a job.
So Micah decides to hire him, pay him a salary, and provide him with lodging.
And just like that, the Levite becomes a priest in a completely man-made system.
And Micah’s conclusion after engaging in all of this unscriptural nonsense?
“Now I know the Lord will be good to me.”
Seriously, think about the chaos of this situation.
Micah has…
Stolen…
Supported idolatry…
Built a false system of worship…
Installed unauthorized priests…
And then walks away thinking…
“God’s going to bless me now.”
Going back to the high places we were discussing yesterday…
God commanding one place to sacrifice was not an insignificant thing.
It mattered.
A lot.
But the people ignored it.
And because they ignored it, their sacrifices…no matter how costly…meant nothing to God.
Let that sink in.
Every time they killed an animal and burned it on their own little altar…
With a son or a hired Levite acting as priest…
They really believed their sins were forgiven.
They walked away feeling clean, safe, and right with God.
But they were dead wrong.
Think about how dangerous that is.
That’s exactly the state of the modern Judeo-Christian world.
And that’s the takeaway for today.
Imagine thinking you’re good with God…
That everything is fine between you and Him…
But it’s not.
You can say all the right words.
You can use God’s name.
You can even convince yourself you’re blessed.
But if you’re not aligned with His Torah…
You’re not walking in truth.
You’re just doing what Micah did.
Creating your own version of God…and calling it faith.
Again, that’s pretty much the whole state of lawless Christianity, don’t you think?
Today, a lot of believers go through all kinds of man-made religious routines, convinced they’re pleasing God.
But in reality?
Those actions mean nothing… or even make things worse.
And here’s another problem.
Some people call themselves Christians, but if you ask them why, they can’t give you a clear answer.
One person will say it’s because I’m trying to be a good person.
Another will say it’s because that’s how they were raised.
Others point to church attendance.
Some wear crosses, fill their lives with religious symbols, or put stickers on their cars…as if that alone keeps them right with God.
Others barely go to church, except maybe on Christmas or Easter, and they lean on that as proof that they’re doing enough.
Others take part in things like Passover meals or Feast of Tabernacles events and think that’s the answer.
The truth is, many don’t have one freakin’ clue what salvation or redemption really means.
Yet they still say, “I’m a believer.”
A good portion of the Judeo-Christian world has built up its own modern-day “high places.”
And then expect God to accept it.
Don’t assume the Lord is pleased just because you’re sincere.
Or just because everyone’s doing it, it’s cool beans.
Those homies won’t hunt.
Spiritually speaking, that’s a very dangerous place to be.
It was dangerous 3000 years ago…
And it’s dangerous today.
Ya feel me?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Only those doing My Father’s will.
Many will say to Me that day,
‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy
in Your name and cast out demons?
Didn’t we do many mighty works
all in Your name and authority?‘
Then I will declare to them,
‘I never knew you at all.
Depart from Me, you lawless ones.‘”
-Matthew 7:21-23
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