Apr 5 (Daily reading: Judges 16-18) “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6). In our world, we have many governments, democratic, totalitarian, socialist, etc. But there is an invisible realm present in every country, even if it is not recognized, and that is the “spiritual government.” In this realm, individuals make a choice: will God be their king (will He rule in their hearts), or will they allow Satan to control their lives?
The story of Micah and the unnamed Levite, along with the five spies and the six-hundred-armed men from the tribe of Dan describes what can happen when “everyone does what is right in his own eyes.” It began when a woman had idols made and put them in her son Micah’s house. If you are going to make your own gods, why not hire your own priest to whom you can dictate the terms of your service to those gods? Sounds like a plan! The Levite that they hired did what was right for himself them when the spies asked him to inquire of God on their behalf. His quick verdict was: “Go in peace; your way in which you are going has the LORD’S approval” (18:6). When you serve your own gods, it is easy to speak for them. The tribe of Dan then made a “good deal:” they hired the Levite as their priest, and the idols from Micah’s house were thrown in as a bonus!
What is missing in this story is God! There were gods of human fabrication and priests of human calling to serve those gods. This is a description of every manmade religion in our world today!
The problem is easy to see: “They set up for themselves Micah’s image which he had made” (18:31). Just remember that “doing what is right in your own eyes” is equivalent to serving gods that you yourself have made. That is a dangerous path to follow!
– Al Gary
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