Judges 18:13
And from there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah's house.
And from there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim
The hill country of Ephraim is a significant region in biblical history, often associated with the tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel. This area is characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic location, which made it a central hub for various events in Israel's history. The tribe of Ephraim was known for its strength and influence, as seen in passages like Joshua 17:17-18. The hill country also served as a backdrop for many biblical narratives, including the story of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4-5. The journey to this region by the Danites reflects their search for a new territory, as their allotted land was insufficient or difficult to conquer (Judges 1:34).

and came to Micah’s house
Micah's house is central to the narrative in Judges 17-18, where Micah, an Ephraimite, establishes a private shrine with an idol, ephod, and household gods. This reflects the period's religious syncretism and the Israelites' departure from pure worship of Yahweh, as outlined in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 20:3-4). Micah's actions illustrate the spiritual confusion and moral decline during the time of the Judges, a theme prevalent throughout the book. The presence of a Levite serving as a priest in Micah's house further underscores the era's religious disorder, as Levites were meant to serve in the tabernacle, not private shrines (Numbers 18:1-7). This setting becomes pivotal as the Danites later seize Micah's idols and priest, highlighting the chaotic and lawless state of Israel during this period.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Danites
A tribe of Israel seeking a new territory to inhabit, as their allotted land was insufficient or difficult to conquer.

2. Hill Country of Ephraim
A central region in Israel, known for its rugged terrain and significant biblical events.

3. Micah
An individual from the hill country of Ephraim who had established a shrine with idols and a personal priest.

4. Micah’s House
The location where the Danites stopped, which contained a shrine with idols and a Levite priest.

5. Levite Priest
A young Levite who served as a priest for Micah, despite the irregularity of his appointment and the idolatrous context.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
The account of Micah and the Danites serves as a cautionary tale about the subtlety and danger of idolatry, even among God’s people.

Seeking God’s Guidance
The Danites’ journey without seeking God’s direction highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance in our decisions.

The Role of Leadership
The Levite’s willingness to serve in an idolatrous context underscores the need for godly leadership and integrity.

Consequences of Disobedience
The account illustrates the broader consequences of disobedience to God’s commands, affecting entire communities.

God’s Sovereignty
Despite human failings, God’s sovereign plan continues to unfold, reminding us of His ultimate control over history.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the journey of the Danites to the hill country of Ephraim reveal about their spiritual state and priorities?

2. How does the presence of Micah’s shrine and the Levite priest reflect the spiritual climate of Israel during the time of the Judges?

3. In what ways can we identify and address modern forms of idolatry in our own lives and communities?

4. How can we ensure that our decisions align with God’s will, especially when facing significant life changes or challenges?

5. What lessons can we learn from the Levite’s actions about the importance of maintaining integrity and faithfulness in our spiritual leadership roles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 19:40-48
Provides background on the original allotment of land to the tribe of Dan, highlighting their struggle to secure their inheritance.

Judges 17
Offers context on Micah’s establishment of his shrine and the hiring of the Levite, setting the stage for the events in Judges 18.

Exodus 20:4-5
Relates to the prohibition against idolatry, which is central to the account of Micah’s shrine.

1 Samuel 15:22
Emphasizes obedience over sacrifice, relevant to the Danites' actions and the Levite’s role in Micah’s house.

Proverbs 14:12
Reflects on the consequences of following one's own way rather than God's, applicable to the Danites' journey and decisions.
The History of a Man-Made Ministry: 2. its AbuseA.F. Muir Judges 18:1-13
Counsel of GodJ. Burns, D. D.Judges 18:1-31
Indifference to ReligionC. P. Longland.Judges 18:1-31
Micah the EphraimiteW. R. Hutton, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
Practical Attention to ReligionHomiletic MagazineJudges 18:1-31
Report from the Promised LandW. T. Sabine.Judges 18:1-31
The Beyond in ReligionChristian World PulpitJudges 18:1-31
The Image-Worship Expanding into Tribal IdolatryJ. P. Millar.Judges 18:1-31
The Indian ProblemS. S Allnutt, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
The Loss of GodsHomilistJudges 18:1-31
The Stable and the Unstable in ReligionA. R. Merriam.Judges 18:1-31
The Stolen GodsR. A. Watson, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
People
Aram, Dan, Danites, Gershom, Jonathan, Laish, Manasseh, Micah, Rehob, Sidonians, Zidon
Places
Bethlehem, Beth-rehob, Dan, Eshtaol, Kiriath-jearim, Laish, Mahaneh-dan, Shiloh, Sidon, Zorah
Topics
Ephraim, E'phraim, Hill, Hill-country, Micah, Micah's, Mount, Pass, Passed, Thence
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 18:1-31

     7266   tribes of Israel

Judges 18:11-31

     5211   art

Library
The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
The maps assign a double spring of Jordan; but by what right it scarce appears; much less does it appear by what right they should call this Jor,--and that Dan. There is indeed mention in Josephus of little Jordan and great Jordan. Hence, as it seems, was the first original of the double spring in the maps, and of a double river at those first springs. For thus Josephus; "There are fountains (in Daphne) which send little Jordan, as it is called, into the great." He treats, in the text cited, of the
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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