If you want to see the true measure of a person, watch how that person treats the weak, inferiors, or someone who can do absolutely no good. Well, let’s see what happens to one of the Israel tribes in times of Judges.
Summary of Judges 18
The Danites (one of the twelve tribes of Israel) were seeking an inheritance because they were not able to drive out the Canaanites in the land allotted to them by Joshua. As a result, they were wandering within and around the center area of the Canaan region. They sent five men to scout out land that would be easy for them to conquer. During their scout, they ran into Micah’s house and met the Levite that Micah hired and consecrated (Judges 17). The five Danite spies asked Micah to inquire of the LORD, and Micah “confirmed” that their quest would succeed.
Those five spies travelled all the way up to the north and spotted a peaceful land and peaceful people residing in Laish. The five spies came back to lead the entire tribe to attack Laish. On their way, they stopped by Micah’s house to rob him of the idols, ephod and the Levite, the priest. The Levite was elated to be a priest for the tribe. The Danites attacked and killed all the inhabitants of Laish and settled there.
Weak to the Strong
When Joshua, under the guidance of the LORD, allotted the Canaan land to the twelve tribes, a sizable portion was given to the Dan tribe. The Dan tribe was second only to the Judah tribe in population size. However, they were very unsuccessful in inheriting the allotted land as they were pushed back and humiliated by the Amorites (Judges 1:34). As a result, they were still seeking an inheritance for them to settle (Judges 18:1). Despite their size, they were not able to wield their power proportionally.
Spotted Easy Land
Instead of seeking the land the LORD God allotted, the Dan tribe decided to go for the land in accordance to their standards. The five spies spotte land in Laish, good in their eyes, spacious and abundant (Judges 18:9-10). These criteria in themselves are not necessarily bad. However, when God gave a clear message through Joshua about the land inheritance, it was not a good example to deviate to seek the land according to their standard.
Strong to the Weak
After spotting the land, Laish, to conquer, the Danites mobilized 600 men. On their way to Laish, located in the very north of the Canaan region, they stopped by Micah’s house to steal the graven, molten image, ephods, and other household idols. Also, the Levite was recruited, and they together walked away as if nothing had happened.
Micah’s household and the neighbors near Micah’s house assembled to pursue the Danites. However, after being threatened by the Danites, who had a stronger army, Micah’s group had to turn and go back.
A few things to pinpoint from the event in which the Danites stole a set of idols from Micah’s household. .
First, this would be the first incident when the Danites wielded their power and succeeded. A great news that they were exercising their power… but to the weaker group in order to steal. Not a great example!
Second, note the widespread influence of idol worship. It was not just Micah’s household that came to pursue the Danites when they lost their idols, but also the men who were near Micah’s house (Judges 18:22). This indicated that the worship practice around the graven, molten image had indeed has a significant influence across the Israelite society.
Third, the formation of evil versus evil. Back when Joshua was leading the Israelites, it was clear that Joshua’s army was on the side of the LORD God. Here in Judges 18, neither the Danites, nor the Micah’s households were on the side of the LORD, despite their nominal status as the people of God. In fact, their conflict was between two evils – I am not even sure which one would be considered more evil.
Fourth, vanity over vanity. They were fighting over a set of worthless idols. Without God, they, both the Micah household and the Danites, pursued and risked their lives for something utterly worthless. A great lesson for us as well. Absent God, we will be like them chasing and fighting over worthless idols.
Then… Merciless to the Weak
After the Danites stole the idols and the priest from the Micah’s household, they totally destroyed the people of Laish and rebuilt the city to live in it (Judges 18:27-28). Then, they set up for themselves the graven image.
We see an escalation of Dan’s sinful activities in two fronts.
On the one front, the Danites’ exercise of their power became harsher. Against Micah’s household, the Danites, as a strong party, exercised their power to steal properties from MIchah’s household. Against the people of Laish, they, as a strong party, were merciless to the weak, peaceful inhabitants of Laish. What a contrast to the situation where they could not do anything against the Amorites (Judges 1:34)!
On the other front, the Danites “upgraded” their idol worship system by setting up for themselves the graven image (Judges 18:30-31).
Conclusion
When God was absent in the heart of the Israelites, we see them exercising their might however they want to oppress the weak. Without God, without the absolute standard, people seek worthless idols, falling astray. Let us learn from their mistakes and guard our hearts.
Judges 18 was a disturbing story. Sad news is that the level of shock becomes even greater in the next three chapters of Judges.
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