Jo’s Place

The Levite and His Concubine Now, in those days, Israel had no king.  There was a man, from the tribe of Levi, living in a remote area, of the hill country of Ephraim.  One day, he brought home a woman, from Bethlehem, in Judah, to be his concubine.  But, she became angry with him, and returned to her father’s home, in Bethlehem.  After about four months, her husband set out for Bethlehem, to speak personally, to her …and persuade her to come back.  He took with him a servant, and a pair of donkeys.  When he arrived, at her father’s house, her father saw him, and welcomed him.  Her father urged him to stay awhile, so he stayed three days, eating, drinking, and sleeping there.  On the fourth day, the man was up early, ready to leave, but the woman’s father said, to his son-in-law,  “Have something to eat before you go.”  So, the two men sat down together, and had something to eat and drink.  Then, the woman’s father said,  “Plea...

  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 ...

Idolatry in the Tribe of Dan Now, in those days of judges, Israel had no king.  And the tribe of Dan was still trying to find a place, where they could settle, for they had not yet moved into the land, assigned to them, when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel.  So, the men, of Dan, chose from their clans, five capable warriors, from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out a land, for them to settle in.  When these warriors arrived, in the hill country of Ephraim, they came to Micah’s house, and spent the night there.  While at Micah’s house, they recognized the young Levite’s accent, so they went over and asked him,  “Who brought you here, and what are you doing in this place?  Why are you here?”  He told them about his agreement, with Micah, and that he had been hired, as Micah’s personal priest.  Then, they said, “Ask God, whether or not, our journey will be successful.”  “Go in peace,” the priest replied.  “For the L...