Comparing Judgesand Ruth

Judges 21:25 “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.”Judges 21:25 “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”

Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”

Next Three Wednesdays

• Tonight – Judges 17,18: Micah and the Tribe of Dan

• Nov 9 – Judges 19-21: Gibeon and Tribe of Benjamin

• Nov 16 – Ruth 1-4: Contrasts to the Judges

Nov 23 – “When Jesus Returns”: New Class by Allen and George

Judges 17-21How Most Did Not Think RightJudges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25

Two Historic Accounts

• Judges 17,18 – Spiritual Decay– Micah and the Danites– Their Idolatry

• Judges 19-21 – Moral Decay– Frayed Society in Tatters – The Levite, Gibeon and the 65,000 Dead– Their Hate

Ruth is in Stark Contrast: Ruth is aboutStarting Over,Being Blessed by God,God’s Tenderness.

Ruth is in Stark Contrast: Ruth is aboutStarting Over,Being Blessed by God,God’s Tenderness.

Spiritual Decay – Micah’s Idolatry

• 17:1-5 -- Micah, the Ephraimite– He’s a Thief– Builds a private shrine in his home to worship

God & idols using idols.– Fills Shrine with idols – Makes an image of the Ephod– Names his son as Priest

• 17:7-13 – Hires a Wandering Levite as Priest

Joshua 21:4148 cities given to Levitesin the land of Israel

Joshua 21:41,4248 cities and surrounding pasturelands given to Levites

Spiritual Decay – Micah’s Idolatry

• 17:1-5 -- Micah, the Ephraimite– Is a Thief– Builds a private shrine in his home– Fills Shrine with idols– Makes an image of the Ephod– Names his son as Priest

• 17:7-13 – Hires a Wandering Levite as Priest

How did Micah feel How did Micah feel about the “priest” he hired?about the “priest” he hired?

Shiloh

Micah’s Tribe

True Worship to GodIn Shiloh Is Nearby

Micah’s House, Joshua 18:1

True Worship to GodIn Shiloh Is Nearby

Micah’s House, Joshua 18:1

Spiritual Decay – Micah’s Idolatry

In Judges 17:1-13 --- Thinking of Micah, how can people fall Thinking of Micah, how can people fall

into false religion while thinking that into false religion while thinking that God approves of them?God approves of them?

Micah’s Idolatry Spreads

• Judges 18:3-13, a group of Danites are looking for “suitable land” in the far north and go to conquer it. – Compare to 1:34 – why were the Danites

dissatisfied with their land from God?– Which “holy man” did they ask advice

from in verse 5? Good idea to ask him?

ShilohShiloh

Micah’s Tribe

Micah’s Tribe

Tribe of Dan

Micah’s Idolatry Spreads

• Judges 18:3-13, a group of Danites are looking for “suitable land” in the far north and go to conquer it. – Compare to 1:34 – why were the Danites

dissatisfied with their land from God?

Why could people become unhappy Why could people become unhappy where God has placed them,where God has placed them,in their jobs, in their families or in their jobs, in their families or in His Church? in His Church?

Why could people become unhappy Why could people become unhappy where God has placed them,where God has placed them,in their jobs, in their families or in their jobs, in their families or in His Church? in His Church?

Micah’s Idolatry Spreads

• Judges 18:3-13, a group of Danites are looking for “suitable land” in the far north and go to conquer it.

• V 14-21, on the way, they stop at Micah’s, steal his idols and hire away his priest.

Micah’s Idolatry Spreads

• Judges 18:3-13, a group of Danites are looking for “suitable land” in the far north and go to conquer it.

• V 14-21, on the way, they stop at Micah’s, steal his idols and hire away his priest.

What was Micah’s “priest” primarily

interested in v. 19?

What was Micah’s “priest” primarily

interested in v. 19?

Micah’s Idolatry Spreads

• Judges 18:3-13, a group of Danites are looking for “suitable land” in the far north and go to conquer it.

• V 14-21, on the way, they stop at Micah’s, steal his idols and hire away his priest

• V 27-31, they attack and take northern city Laish, but the whole group fully adopt Micah’s idolatry

How are they different from the original 12 spies of years ago?How are they different from the original 12 spies of years ago?

ShilohShiloh

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

How might the victory of the Danites

have encouraged them in their idolatry?

How might the victory of the Danites

have encouraged them in their idolatry?

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

Idol Worship will be the established

norm at Dan and Bethel

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

Idol Worship will be the established

norm at Dan and Bethel

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

Idol Worship will be the established

norm at Dan and Bethel

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

Idol Worship will be the established

norm at Dan and Bethel

Dan (Laish)

Tribe of Dan

Idol Worship will be the established

norm at Dan and Bethel

Who is the Hero of This Account?• The thief Micah who prefers home

worship to God’s Tabernacle at Shiloh.• The evil mom who blesses her thieving

son.• The opportunist Levite, “the best priest

that money can buy.”• The group of Danites who stole idols

from the thief Micah.• The portion of the tribe of Dan that

moves where God does not want, that steeps themselves in idolatry.

““In those days Israel had no King;In those days Israel had no King;Everyone did as he saw fit. . .”Everyone did as he saw fit. . .” Judges 17:6Judges 17:6

Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”

For Next Week

• Read Judges 19-21 – Consider: What is the Evidence that Society was in Tatters.

• The week after next – We study Ruth!

““In those days Israel had no King;In those days Israel had no King;Everyone did as he saw fit. . .”Everyone did as he saw fit. . .” Judges 17:6Judges 17:6

Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”Ruth 1:16 “Your God will be my God . . .”