Judges 17

< Back to Judges Index Next Talk >


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Dark Days of the Judges

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Spiritual decline opens the door for syncretism.

  2. Spiritual decline opens the door for self-seekers.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Beware of idols creeping into the church.

QUESTIONS

  1. The period of the judges lasted about 350 years, from the time of Samuel to the beginning of the monarchy. Why is this period sometimes called "the dark days of the judges?"

  2. Define syncretism.

  3. Give an example of syncretism during the time of the judges.

  4. Give an example of syncretism today in our country.

  5. Was the Levite in this story a God-honoring man?

  6. What was the reaction of the people of Israel to Micah's "service" for the Lord?

ANSWERS

  1. After Joshua died, the children of Israel went downhill spiritually and morally. There was no moral authority, especially toward the end of this period, and "Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes." (v. 6)

  2. Syncretism is the fusion of two or more religious systems. It is a melting pot religion.

  3. The people would fall away from following the Lord and begin to serve foreign gods. Micah's mother desired the Lord's blessing on her son, but she made molten silver images. The shrine in this household was a mixture of beliefs and practices, yet they thought it was going to bring the Lord's blessing.

  4. The celebration of Christmas and the significance of Christ's birth is accompanied, or even outshined by Santa Claus and commercialism. The celebration of Easter and the significance of the cross is accompanied, or even superseded by the Easter bunny and candy eggs.

  5. No. He broke God's law because he saw a good deal for himself. For room and board, good clothes, and a salary, he sold himself out and became a priest for Micah. Then he left Micah and become a priest for the tribe of Dan because there were even more benefits for himself.

  6. Because of the spiritual decline in Israel, no one found any fault with it. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Syncretism, a melting pot religion, happened many times in Israel’s history. Discuss the syncretism observed in our culture today. Beware of the subtlety of syncretism.

  2. The Levite in this story was a self-seeking opportunist, breaking God’s law to benefit himself. There are self-seekers among Christians today. Are there ways that you are acting like a self-seeking opportunist, or being taken advantage of by one?

CHALLENGE

  1. Beware of idols creeping into the church. Beware of worshipping false gods. Even the sanctuary itself can be placed above worship of the Lord.

KEY VERSES

  • "I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the Lord...to make a carved image and a molded image." Judges 17:3

  • "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6

Judges, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidJUDGES 17