Passage
Judges 17:1-13 (ESV)
Countless Saved from God’s Wrath by the Blood of the Lamb
Revelation 7:1-17
Key Verse: 7:9-10
Everyone Did As They Saw Fit
Date: Jan. 3, 2018
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
1. Micah's idol and shrine (1-6)
This story interestingly begins with Micah of Ephraim stealing a large amount of silver from his mother, who then put a curse on the silver, and thus, he decides to return the silver rather than to risk the curse. His mother, in turn, blesses him and gives the silver to a silversmith to cast an idol which they put in Micah's home. He adds a shrine, an ephod, and a priesthood -- and starts his own religion. Without God, people succumb to greed, superstition, and idol worship. Without knowing the Bible or having a spiritual leader, everyone did as they saw fit (6). It was spiritual chaos.
2. Micah's priest (7-13)
When a Levite passed through Ephraim looking for a room, Micah invited him to live with him and hired him as his priest. This implies that Micah was not satisfied with his idolatry and false religion. He was looking for a shepherd to lead him to the true way of being blessed by the Lord (13).
Prayer: Lord, I repent my greed that leads me to idolatry. Help me to follow your words and grant spiritual leaders who guide us into your truth.
One Word: A dire need for the truth and shepherds
