The story about Micah and his idol and the Danites – what can I say? Why would God include such a messed-up story in His word? It showed the lack of rule of law among the Israelites and demonstrated a total lack of relationship with God. It gives us a feel for what turning their backs on God does to God’s people. It’s not a pretty picture, is it? The way of life was dismal, and the people were wretched. It is a powerful reminder of what a blessing God’s presence in our lives is.
By the way, recall that Dan had received their inheritance, but had been run out of it by the previous inhabitants whom they had failed to confront. Isn’t it interesting that they saw the situation as their having not been given an inheritance?
The cycle of forsaking God, suffering His judgment, crying out to Him from the depths of misery, being rescued by a God-given leader, enjoying momentary prosperity, and forsaking God again to start the cycle over makes for sad reading. Let us understand from this example that everyone doing as he or she sees fit is not a desirable situation. This is where Messiah shows up in the book of Judges – by this depressing cycle’s demonstration of man’s desperate need for transformation.
Judges demonstrates the difference one person can make. God expects each of His New Testament people to make a difference in his or her corner of the world. How can you seek to be Jesus’ hands and feet so that you can be a light in a dark world, or refreshment in the midst of the oppression of the curse of sin?