April 2 – Judges 18:1-6

April 2 – Judges 18:1-6

 

In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them. ² So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go and explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. ³ When they were by the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young Levite. And they turned aside and said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?” ⁴ And he said to them, “This is how Micah dealt with me: he has hired me, and I have become his priest.” ⁵ And they said to him, “Inquire of God, please, that we may know whether the journey on which we are setting out will succeed.” ⁶ And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord.”

 

Here we see the wandering tribe of Dan send out 5 men to seek land for their home.  The men encounter the Levite and recognize his voice.  The Danites ask the Levite if they should continue their journey and if their search would be prosperous.

 

We’re not sure if the Levite even sought God on behalf of the Danites.  Does this remind you of anyone?  How often do we react or make decisions without seeking God?  How often do we tell others we’ll pray for them with good intentions and then let it slip our minds in our busyness only to realize we haven’t prayed for them?  How can we do better?  

 

Further we see the Levite quickly give approval for the Danites to continue their journey sharing that their way is before the Lord.  The Danites assumed they’d be prosperous like Micah as the Levites tell them  to “go in peace, the journey on which you go on is under the eye of the Lord.”  Do we ever assume that God will prosperous us with earthy rewards if we only love him?  Are we seeking God’s will in our requests/prayers?  Are our rewards promised on earth or on eternal/kingdom matters? We live in a world where we will have troubles, but take heart God has overcome the world.

 

Heavenly Father,

I read these verses and Robin’s thoughts on them and can’t help but see myself and my expectations.  How often I think of rewards You give being given in a way that I expect or want, rather than what I need and what You want to give me?  You always give the best gifts!  As my Father, You want to give gifts that last forever, not ones that only last as long as this earth lasts, or this life lasts.  I can’t help but reflect on the Resurrection and the wonderful gift of the Messiah You gave to anyone and everyone who accepts Him.  There is no better gift that I know of than eternal life in Your presence.  We ask for health, wealth, new jobs, advancement in careers, and all those things are good things, but they aren’t the best things You give.  Help me have my eyes open to the many gifts You give that I don’t even see daily.  The treasure of having You as my Lord is beyond compare.  Help me appreciate and share You with those You put in my life.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!