JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 17:1 The Depths of Israel’s Unfaithfulness. Whereas chs. Judges 2:1 describe external threats to Israel, chs. Judges 17:1 describe internal threats. The most sordid and tragic stories in the book are found here. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 17:3 A CARVED IMAGE. (See Exodus 20:4.) These were normally carved from wood or chiseled out of rock but sometimes were made from a mold (compare Isaiah 40:19). A METAL IMAGE. Compare 2 Kings 17:16. Micah’s mother approved of his making these images. This shows how God’s people... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 17:5 A SHRINE. Literally, “a house of God.” This was a perversion of the true sanctuary where worship was to take place (compare “the house of God” at Shiloh in Judges 18:31). Micah also MADE AN EPHOD (compare Judges 8:27) and various HOUSEHOLD GODS (compare Genesis 31:19); the... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 17:6 NO KING IN ISRAEL. Compare Judges 18:1; Judges 19:1; Judges 21:25. RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES (see Judges 21:25). In the nation’s rebellion, people were doing whatever they wanted, rather than seeking the Lord (see Judges 14:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 17:9 LEVITE OF BETHLEHEM. This Levite had been living as a sojourner, a resident alien, in Judah. The Levites did not have their own tribal territory, but they had 48 cities scattered among the other tribes (Joshua 21:1). However, Bethlehem was not one of those designated citie... [ Continue Reading ]