Scripture Text: Judges 17:1-21:25
Memory Verse: “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:5-6
Introduction:
This last section of Judges does not advance the narrative, but gives frightening glimpses of the low religious, moral and political state to which Israel had sunk during the period of the judges.
The first narrative is one of religious corruption. Micah, a man of Ephraim, put idols in a shrine with his household gods. He also decided to set up a priesthood for his family, so he made an ephod and consecrated one of his sons to be his priest. Sometime later a Levite who lived in Bethlehem went into Ephraim looking for a place to stay. Micah offered him a position as priest in his family. Micah offered him a salary, food, and clothing, and the Levite agreed to serve. Micah supposed the Lord would bless him in all of this, when in fact it was totally contrary to God’s order.
At about this same time, the people of the tribe of the Danites decided to look for additional territory in which to dwell. The unprotected northern town of Laish had no ties with anyone. Six hundred armed Danites seized the town and set up idols there.
We now come to a story of incredible moral corruption—the account of the Levite and his concubine. This particular Levite had a concubine that a band of sexual perverts abused her to her death. When the Levite told chosen warriors from the tribes of Israel, except Benjamin, they gave the Benjamites an opportunity to deliver up the guilty perverted men for punishment. When they refused, civil war broke out. The tribe of Benjamin was almost annihilated.
The book of Judges closes with the sad theme ringing in our ears: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What happens to people and nations when they disregard moral principles and have perverted religious practices? (Judges 17:1-13; Proverbs 14:34)
- If the Danites had stayed true to God, how would their lives have been different? (Judges 18:1-17; Joshua 19:40- 48; Galatians 5:7-9)
- What does the Bible say about sexual perversion like homosexuality and lesbianism? (Judges 19:1-31; Hosea 9:9; 10:9; Romans 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:2)
- When one chooses to sympathize with evil individuals, what will be the ultimate results? (Judges 20:1-48; Matthew 12:30; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Joshua 24:15)
Applying the Word
The book of Judges ends by emphasizing that during the time of the judges, the Israelites ignored God’s standards for them and did what was right in their own judgment. What determines what is right or wrong? Does moral relativism and situation ethics determine what is right or wrong? (Judges 21:25; Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Nehemiah 9:26, 31; Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4)