Judges: external threats (Moabites, Philistines, etc.) Ends on low note: internal threats What happens when a nation does what is right in its own eyes? Religious apostasy Jg Micah, Danites Moral apostasy Jg Gibeah, Benjamin

Bookends: study of two Levites religious Commentary on religious apostasy moral Commentary on moral apostasy At beginning: 17:6 At end: 18:1 At beginning: 19:1 At end: 21:25

I. Commentary

17:1-6, religious apostasy in family 17:7-13, Levite, probably unemployed 18:1, one failure leads to another 18:2-6, recalls Joshua 1:8 18:7, Laish, c. 25 m. N of Sea of Galilee 18:12-20, Micah’s collection of idols

I. Commentary II. Case Studies (Spiritual Confusion And Apostasy)

1. Moses’ grandson, 18:30 1. Moses’ grandson, 18:30 (ASV; ESV) NKJV, NASB: Manasseh Later scribes probably altered text (added ‘n’ to prevent desecration of Moses’ name) MOSES MSH MANASSEH M N SH

If Moses’ grandson, apostasy entered early [18:31, Shiloh; 20:28, Phinehas] Jg.1-2; at risk: Apostasy enters where people least expect it Christians Hb.3:12 Churches Rv.3:15-17

2. Micah “Molded” his own idea of God, Ps.50:21 Worshipped gods to gain prosperity Established a priesthood among his sons (not even Levites) Pro.14:12 Hired Levite to add credibility to shrine

Sincere, but sinful (Josh.24:14; 1 Co.5:8; 1 Pt.1:22) A thief starts own religion (1-2) Carves image, molds image…(3-4) Makes son a priest (5) Hires a renegade Levite (7-8, 10-12) False consecration (12) False confidence, ulterior motive (13)

Micah’s gods couldn’t even save themselves Jg.18:22-24 “Now what more do I have?” A non-profit, non-prophet venture

3. Priest, 17:10 Hireling; selfish ambition; sold himself to highest bidder “Have Bible, will travel” (2 Pt.2:1-3) Round or flat; God or Baal! 10 shekels a year1100 shekels a year $50,000 a year$5,500,000 a year

4. Danites 1. Direct disobedience, 18:1-6 (Josh.14-20)  On a sinful mission  Asked sinful Levite to secure blessing from righteous God  Thought his blessing was enough

1. Direct disobedience 2. Strange mixture, 18:14-18a: 3. Iron rule, 18: Worldly success, 18: Law of unintended consequences Immoral goals Strong religious feelings

I. Commentary III. Conclusions II. Case Studies

1. Word: Our only protection against sin, 2 Tim.4: Only God can bless and save us, Ja.1:17 3. Only Jesus is our High Priest, ct. Jg.18:19-24

Jesus, our High Priest… Does not change Hb.13:8 Is not distracted by others Hb.10:21-22 Has power to cure our worst problems Has power to cure our worst problems Hb.4:14-16