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Apr 05, 2012 / Bible Study / 6 COMMENTS
Today’s Bible Study
April 5, 2012
“Micah’s carved image was worshiped by Dan, while the Tabernacle of God remained at Shiloh” (Judges 18:30).
Samson Carrying Off the Gates of Gaza:
To Find (look for):
To Mind (key point):
Today we continue to see Israel spiraling downward socially and theologically as they continue to worship other gods, doing as the people around them. We end the reading watching the tribe of Dan setup an altar in a different location from the one God said He wanted to be worshipped, which was Shiloh. The tribe of Dan is fighting with “Michah’s idols” and a personal priest.
To Bind (apply to our lives):
Dan becomes a center of idolatry in the Northern kingdom, which we will study later on in the history books. For now, understand this is the beginning of something serious that ends in major exile – life change unlike we know it. In those days, all the people did whatever seemed right to them (Judges 17:6) and ignored the commands and teachings of God. That can’t be said about you, can it?
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I was having trouble with the fact that on the map the land allocated to the tribe of Dan was near the land of Ephraim and Benjamin, and then a spot way north near Manasseh and Naphtali. When I looked back in Joshua ( 19:47)the tribe of Dan “had trouble taking posession of their land”. Do we know why they went so far North or why they were having trouble conquoring the land that had been allocated for them, was it in the reading and I missed it? Could it be that we just know some of God’s children turn away from Him for reasons we do not know or understand?
Carolyn, great question. I’ve wondered that myself and can’t say that I remember reading anything more specific about Dan and why they had trouble taking possession. Their tribal portion was allocated by lots, so we know that is the land God desired to give them. We also know they setup a place of worship (way up north up there) away from the place God designated as wanting to be worshipped and may have used distance as an excuse, albeit it was really not many days traveling distance away.
My goodness, this was a downer day. Where were God’s people? Where was their faith?
Samson was deceived and manipulated by a woman (and to be honest, he didn’t seem very smart about the whole thing, like a middle school boy who couldn’t see the girl was using him and making fun of him); a Levite priest turned away from everything God had ordained in order to live the easy life; the tribe of Dan uses idols to lead them in battle.
It’s easy for me to point a finger at them and accuse them. And yet, I, too can be misled and manipulated.
Today’s lesson is a powerful reminder that unless we are in tune with the Holy Spirit and seeking the Lord constantly and studying His Word, we’re all in danger of such weaknesses.
My prayer this morning is that we’ll be so close to Him we will hear His whispers and follow His commands…no matter what the world offers us.
I agree! Today was tough reading! And yes, it is very easy to point fingers rather than see what it is we need to change about ourselves.
Yes, dear classmates, it is indeed easier to see the splinter (of sin) in your eye, and not the log, in mine. The story of Sampson and Delilah is difficult to fathom. yet, I know that I disappoint God every bit as much as Sampson must have. Vonda, you are so right, we struggle daily to remain in the Word, stay in touch with HIS spirit and earnestly seek and thirst after HIS righteousness and mercy. And when we fall short, even in our own eyes, that we seek HIS forgiveness and direction to right the wrong, straighten the ship, and serve HIM even more and better in the future. May this HOLY Week bring each of you out there, the victory that we Christians can claim in the Cross and Resurrection of Easter morn.
Well said Joan. Thank you for this wonderful class discussion today that reminds us all that we fall short, however must press on ahead!