698 - Micah’s Idols at Shiloh

 Micah’s Idols at Shiloh 

The five men, who had scouted out the land around Laish, explained to the others, 

“These buildings contain a sacred ephod, as well as some household idols, a carved image, and a cast idol. 

What do you think you should do?” 

Then, the five men turned off the road and went over to Micah’s house, where the young Levite lived, and greeted him kindly. 

As the 600 armed warriors, from the tribe of Dan, stood at the entrance of the gate, the five scouts entered the shrine and removed …the carved image, the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the cast idol. 

Meanwhile, the priest was standing at the gate, with the 600 armed warriors. 

When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, 

“What are you doing?” 

“Be quiet and come with us,” they said. 

“Be a father and priest to all of us. 

Isn’t it better to be a priest, for an entire tribe and clan of Israel, than for the household of just one man?” 

The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image. 

They turned and started on their way again, placing their children, livestock, and possessions in front of them. 

When the people, from the tribe of Dan, were quite a distance from Micah’s house, the people, who lived near Micah, came chasing after them. 

They were shouting, as they caught up with them. 

The men of Dan turned around and said to Micah, 

“What’s the matter? 

Why have you called these men together …and chased after us?” 

“What do you mean, 

‘What’s the matter?’ ” 

Micah replied. 

“You’ve taken away all the gods, which I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!” 

The men of Dan said, 

“Watch what you say! 

There are some short-tempered men around here, who might get angry and kill you …and your family.” 

So, the men, of Dan, continued on their way. 

When Micah saw that there were too many of them, for him to attack, he turned around …and went home. 

Then, with Micah’s idols and his priest, the men of Dan came to the town of Laish, whose people were peaceful and secure. 

They attacked with swords, and burned the town, to the ground. 

There was no one, to rescue the people, for they lived a great distance from Sidon …and had no allies nearby. 

This happened, in the valley near Beth-rehob. 

Then, the people, of the tribe of Dan, rebuilt the town …and lived there. 

They renamed the town Dan, after their ancestor, Israel’s son, but it had originally been called Laish. 

Then, they set up the carved image, and they appointed Jonathan, son of Gershom, son of Moses, as their priest. 

This family continued, as priests, for the tribe of Dan, until the Exile. 

So, Micah’s carved image was worshiped, by the tribe of Dan, as long as the Tabernacle of God …remained at Shiloh. 

Judges 18:14–31 (NLT)

Praise be to God!