When Israel Had No King

Judges 17-18

Richard S. Dickson

I. Relate the stories in an upbeat manner.

• A. Micah
• B. Danites
• C. Judges 17:6

II. No respect

• A. For God
• 1. the nation had "so corrupted its worship that it [could] hardly tell the difference between Moses' covenant and Canaanite religion." Old Testament Theology
• 2. "designer religion"
• a. idols (vs. 4-5)
• (1) commandment 1 - no other gods (Exodus 20:3)
• (2) commandment 2 - shall not make for yourself an idol (graven image) v.4
• b. priest (vs. 5, 10-12)
• (1) tribe of Levi - yes
• (2) family of Aaron - no (Exodus 28:4; 29:9)
• (3)blessing of God? (vs. 13) - Danites also (18:5-6)
• B. For others
• 1. steal
• a. Micah from mother (17:2)
• b. Danites from Micah
• (1) idols - 18:17
• (2) priest - 18:19
• (3) note Micah's response - 18:24
• 2. destroy
• a. willing to destroy Micah - 18:25
• b. peaceful people of Laish - 18:27

III. How long did it take after Moses and Joshua for this condition to develop? Vs. 18:30 (grandson of Moses)

IV. Us

• A. How long does it take?
• 1. note how much things have changed in your lifetime
• 2. what you blink at, your children will wink at, & your grandchildren will fall for hook, line, and sinker
• 3. Christianity always only one generation from extinction
• B. Respect for others
• 1. lawsuits, contracts - forget your word & handshake - who would dare trust someone else
• 2. abortion, euthanasia, recent advocacy of right to eliminate child up to 2 years of age
• 3. even in church - control & power plays
• C. Respect for God
• 1. new age movement - designer religion
• 2. want what makes us happy - feel good
• 3. willing to blend the world & its ways into our lives
• live like the world
• live by world's value
• then worship on Sunday
• D. No King in Israel: everyone did what was right in his own eyes
• Is there no King in our church?
• Is there no King in our lives?

"King of my life I crown Thee now"*

*("Lead Me to Calvary" Hussey, Jennie E./Kirkpatrick, William J. (c) Copyright 1921. Renewal 1949 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Baptist Hymnal, 1991, #490)

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