The whole purpose of Judges Chapter 18 is to show how Israel had fallen right back into idolatry…
To be more specific, they had returned to their old Egyptian style of religion mixed in with the Mystery Babylonian superstitions of their Canaanite neighbors…
And this descent took took place only a few decades after Joshua’s death.
Let’s not forget that although this story appears in the final chapters of the Book of Judges, the events here took place around the time of the first Judge of Israel (Othniel).
To clearly demonstrate the depth of spiritual darkness that had overtaken Israel, we’re given many details about this wealthy fellow named Micah who lived in the northern hills of Ephraim territory.
The story begins with his confession that he had just stolen 1100 pieces of silver from his own mother (that was A LOT of money in those days).
After the money was returned to his mother, 200 pieces of the silver went to crafting an image of Adonai…
An image that would be placed in Micah’s private home sanctuary along with a bunch of other little idols (are you laughing yet?).
Then without any valid authority whatsoever, Micah took some wandering Levite priest into his home and consecrated him to be his own private home priest (if you weren’t laughing at the last sentence, I betcha you’re laughing now).
What makes this even more comical is the very reason the Levite priest was wandering in the first place is because he was looking for a place to ply his own perverted form of the Hebrew religion.
In many ways, this is the perfect story to demonstrate just how confused and messed up Israel’s religion had become within a mere generation of Joshua passing away.
There’s a strong takeaway here I want you to catch.
Without consistent exposure to the purity of God’s Word, men will naturally gravitate towards other fleshly beliefs and religious systems to suit their own preferences and ideas of morality.
It is inevitable.
These manmade traditions, customs and doctrines will appear all pious and filled with love and peace.
But they are NOT in line with the Word of God.
How do I know?
The answer is simple.
Just compare some of these doctrines and traditions with what’s written in the Word…
And use your God-given noggin.
You wanna know what’s the PERFECT example in all of history of a religion that mixes worldly culture and personal agendas and preferences with the Word?
If you’ve read any of my posts in the past, my answer should come as no surprise to you.
The winner in this contest is hands down without a doubt Christianity.
You know, yesterday I was chatting with one of my blog readers who lives in Israel.
To protect her privacy, I’ll just call her Sofia (not her real name).
She is actually a non-Jewish believer who currently lives in the Promised Land.
During our little chat (via text over the phone), there are some things she said which really stood out to me.
One thing she said is “Christianity is full of lies”.
And then I asked her why she is in Israel.
She said something really beautiful.
She said…“Because I don’t see any other place for me. This is the Nation that should be based on Torah…not yet. And have a King who doesn’t rule in fullness now but only in the lives of some believers”.
English isn’t her first language but I got the gist of what she was saying.
She is a believer in the God of Israel, a belief so strong she moved to the Promised Land itself and is seeking citizenship.
Why?
Because she knows Israel is the apple of God’s eye…
She knows Israel is the Chosen Nation that will be a light to the whole world when it comes into full obedience to the Lord’s divine commands…
Yet she also realizes this is still not a reality…
And won’t be until the Messiah comes…
In her conversation with me, I really felt like she echoed the ache that exists in the hearts of all believers everywhere…
Believers who have been grafted into the commonwealth of Israel through their faith in the Jewish Messiah.
Believers who want to see Israel restored to her divine glory as the Lord originally intended…
So I’ll close today with this prayer.
Oh Yeshua, in your authority, please keep us in the Father’s Will.
And please return to rule over the Father’s firstborn son of the nations, Israel.
Amen.
The last two thoughts and the prayer were very touching. Thank you.
Glad you found this inspiring. Be blessed!