April 4 – Judges 18:21-31

April 4 – Judges 18:21-31

²¹ So they turned and departed, putting the little ones and the livestock and the goods in front of them. ²² When they had gone a distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called out, and they overtook the people of Dan. ²³ And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?” ²⁴ And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” ²⁵ And the people of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household.” ²⁶ Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home.

²⁷ But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. ²⁸ And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it. ²⁹ And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first. ³⁰ And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. ³¹ So they set up Micah's carved image that he made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh.

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n a series of events in these scriptures, we see Dan defeat the city of Laish, rename it Dan and set up a life of idolatry for themselves.  

Do you think Micah ever imagined the far-reaching effects of his sin?  

Sin inches it’s way into our lives gradually and and seemingly without notice and the effects can be more than we every considered or imagined. 

Can you think of a time when your sin didn’t affect others?  Think about it…we impact others, so our sin will too.

Ask God to guide your decisions as you make God filled choices and resist the sins of this world.

Heavenly Father,

How often do I do something simple and not realize the impact it will have on my life and the life of those around me as well?  When I really think about it I know that any sin that I commit is going to impact those around me.  If not directly, then my frustration and attitude about the sin will come across and impact them indirectly.  I have to remember I don’t live in a bubble and everything I do, good or bad, will impact those I love.  If I am having a bad day and say things I shouldn’t, I might not think anything about it after that day, but those who heard my outburst won’t soon forget it.  Help me be a reflection of You in everything I do.  Help me remember my sin, whether a sin I commit, or when I sin by not being obedient to You, absolutely impacts those around me.  Thank You for loving me when I am so unlovable.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!