Judges 18:1-10
The Danites Search for Land
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1In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
2So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night.
3And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”
4“Micah has done this and that for me,” he replied, “and he has hired me to be his priest.”
5Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to determine whether we will have a successful journey.”
6And the priest told them, “Go in peace. The LORD is watching over your journey.”
7So the five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living securely, like the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. And they were far away from the Sidonians and had no alliance with anyone.
8When the men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers asked them, “What did you find?”
9They answered, “Come on, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why would you fail to act? Do not hesitate to go there and take possession of the land!
10When you enter, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has delivered it into your hand. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Dan is looking for territory to occupy and sends five men from Zorah and Eshtaol to explore. They stay at Micah's house, recognize the young Levite's voice, and ask how he came to be there. He explains that Micah has hired him as priest.
The scouts ask him to inquire of God about their journey. He tells them to go in peace and says the LORD is watching over it. The account records his assurance; it does not describe a separate command from the LORD to take Laish.
At Laish, they find a spacious, well-supplied land and people living quietly and unsuspectingly. The city is far from Sidon and has no alliance with anyone. What makes life seem secure also leaves the people without nearby help.
The scouts return urging Dan to act. They say the land is very good and claim God has delivered it into their hands. Their report stresses both the desirable land and the unsuspecting people. As readers, we need to distinguish what the scouts claim from a command God Himself gives.
Questions
1 Why do Dan’s five scouts visit Micah’s priest?
AnswerThey recognize the Levite and ask how he came there, then ask him to inquire whether their journey will succeed.
2 What assurance does he give?
AnswerHe tells them to go in peace and says the LORD is watching over their journey. The passage reports his words.
3 What do they notice about Laish?
AnswerIt is well supplied, spacious, quiet, and unsuspecting. It is far from Sidon and has no alliance to provide help.
4 What should we ask before calling an attractive opportunity God’s direction?
AnswerWe should ask whether the plan obeys Scripture and how it affects others. An advantage for us does not settle whether the action is right.
What This Means for Us
A confident religious statement can sound like the final word on a plan. Examine it. Who is speaking, what has God actually said, and who could be harmed? Convenience and another person's vulnerability should not become reasons to take advantage. We remain responsible for the means we use to reach a desirable outcome.
Prayer
Lord, keep us from calling convenience Your command. Give us discernment to test attractive opportunities by faithfulness, justice, and Your revealed word. Amen.
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