Ever been in a situation where you THINK you’re blessed by God?
But you’re really not.
A lot of people are in that position…
And it’s downright dangerous and delusional.
Think of idol worshippers who believe they’re blessed by their idolatry.
It doesn’t matter how solid the ground they’re standing on seems to be.
They’ve built their lives on shifting sand.
Here where I live in Japan, both the young and old visit the many shrines located in practically every neighborhood in every city and town.
The students pray to the gods to get into a good university…
When they graduate, they pray to get into a good company…
The middle-aged population prays for career success and prosperity…
When they reach their golden years, they pray for good health and long life.
But here’s the horrifying thing…
When they get what they want, the idolatrous delusion becomes cemented.
The fantasy becomes reality.
Remember, to succeed in this life by satanic means is the deadliest trap of them all.
And the whole world has fallen for it.
The scouts from Dan thought they’d found paradise when they arrived at Layish…
The area was gorgeous and located at the headwaters of one of the several sources at the Jordan River (if any of you have ever visited this spot in Israel, you’ll know exactly what I mean).
And the residents were a peaceful people.
All the tribe of Dan had to do was attack this unprepared people and this territory would be theirs.
So like a couple of excited 11 year olds who had just stumbled across a bunch of Playboys lying in a waste bin, these scouts rushed back to their cities of Tzorah and Eshta’ol.
They reported what they found…
And urged the leaders to take immediate action.
But there was one little problem.
They were NOT in God’s Will.
Even though they thought they were.
The Levite back at Micah’s place told them God would bless them.
So they assumed success.
Acting on false beliefs, verse 11 tells us they gathered up 600 soldiers to prepare for the attack…
This also tells us how easy Dan thought it would be to take over Layish.
Obviously 600 men was not the total size of Dan.
It was only the number of men who would be used to attack the city.
The women and children were also gathered up and they headed back to Layish.
On the way they stopped at a place called KIRIATH-YEARIM located in the territory of Judah.
It would later be renamed Mahaneh-Dan (meaning “the camp of Dan”).
From there, they took a road leading back into the hills of Ephraim.
That’s right.
They were going pay Micah a second visit.
But this time they weren’t seeking hospitality.
To be continued…
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“You say, ‘I am rich;
I have acquired wealth
and do not need a thing.’
But you do not realize
that you are wretched,
pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
-Revelations 3:17
“We know that we are children of God,
and that the whole world is
under the control of the evil one.”
-1 John 5:19
“The god of this age has
blinded the minds of unbelievers,
so that they cannot see
the light of the gospel
that displays the glory of Messiah,
who is the image of God.”
-2 Corinthians 4:4
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