“Just look away / look away / There’s nothing but horror and inconvenience on the way.”
This theme song plays grimly at the start of each episode of the television show A Series of Unfortunate Events. Despite the warning, I kept watching and hoping the show’s main characters, three orphans, would eventually find relief. Each episode ended in dismay as the orphans’ lives spiraled further out of control. The story became more tragic at every turn. As I read Judges 18, the same song crept into my mind: “Just look away / look away… ”
Israel’s story took dark turn after dark turn as the people made bad choice after bad choice. They had been redeemed out of slavery, with all their needs taken care of by the Lord, yet they forgot their God and lost their way. Quickly they fell into sin and idolatry. We’re talking idol worship and murder—absolute lawlessness. How could God’s chosen people fall so far so fast?
From the outside looking in, the Israelites’ missteps are plain to see. But in our own lives, it’s much easier to lose perspective. The Israelites thought they could run their lives better than God could. For example, we saw in today’s reading that God provided land for the tribe of the Danites, but they found a quiet town to conquer instead. Veering from God’s provision, they left behind a wake of physical and spiritual destruction. The Lord also asked the Israelites for their sole devotion, but the Danites opted for idol worship (Judges 18:27–31).
The Danites, a tribe of Israel, thought they could make a better, happier, more abundant future for themselves than the one the Lord had laid out for them. Sometimes I wonder, “Am I guilty of this sort of arrogance too? Do I ever believe my plan is superior to the Lord’s?” When I forget the goodness and wisdom of God, I’m likely to fall into the same trap of disobedience, foolishly thinking I can create a brighter future for myself than the one God has planned.
We choose our own plans because we don’t trust that God’s plan is actually good for us. Or maybe, like the Danites, we forget that our God has the power to move mountains. Perhaps God calls us to give our money or time or energy, but we hold back. Or maybe He lays it on our hearts to repair a relationship, but we decide it’s better to sweep the issue under the rug. In the short term, we think our plan is less painful and more effective. But if we look at what happened with Israel when they forgot God’s instruction, it’s clear that a life of disobedience only brings pain and suffering.
May the Danites’ story remind us that we are all utterly lost without God’s guidance. We have access to God’s wisdom in Word and Spirit. Our Father in heaven knows what is best for us and works for our good. Placing our trust in the Lord and obeying Him will not always be easy, but we have a powerful promise of true life, flourishing and full of purpose, when we look to Jesus and walk in His ways.
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36 thoughts on "Dan’s Invasion and Idolatry"
This website really helped me understand the historical context of what’s going on with Dan’s allotment! https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/did-tribe-dan-move-does-judges18-1-contradict-joshua19-48/
God’s way is perfect. Not easy but perfect. Please strengthen my faith and trust in you, Lord. Amen
I am guilty of convincing myself that what I want to do is what God wants me to do. I don’t take the time to remain in prayer, waiting for His still, small voice. I’m too busy moving ahead with what my plans are to hear God leading in a different direction. It is only when things go wrong, and I look at where I went wrong that I realize this was my plan, not God’s. Father, give me ears to hear your plans, wisdom to know it is your plan, and dedication to follow You. Amen.
Oh, I hear this! I am just as culpable and headstrong. Lord, help me to hear and to listen to Your sweet word.
Those verses just hit so true right now.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; – 1 Peter 1:22-23
We need to follow God’s direction and love each other. I think if we keep close to God, we will be obedient to God loving others.
It is a day behind, not sure when the current day’s reading is being posted. I hope they get this corrected soon!
Can’t post again.
Elaine, it’s still a day behind. It wasn’t updating over the weekend at all or on Monday. I’ve been using the website as it’s correct there. Hoping it’s fixed soon!
Once again we have yesterdays Devo with todays being non existent
Maybe it is just me but this reading is a day behind for me. I have my quiet time around 5 am each day and I see you all read and responded to this yesterday. Anyone else having this problem?
Amen!
Oh, my, how that devotion hit home with things I’ve been praying about this week!
Oof. This hits a little too close to home. I am definitely guilty of thinking I know better than God, of not trusting God.
♥️
Oh wow, taking care of business instead of following God’s guidance and timetable. So guilty of this.
Yesterday I found the story of Micah so random. There are threads of connection from Samson that carried on, but still random lol. Samson was sold for 1,100 pieces of silver (our Lord Jesus: 30 pieces of silver that could buy a piece of real estate), so Samson was sold for a lot more than our Lord. Say if a piece of land is worth $500K for simple estimation’s sake, depending on location, 1,100 pieces that Delilah was paid by EACH lord (don’t know how many lords approached her), she was easily offered tens of millions in our modern currency by each lord alone. And this Micah boy chapter yesterday started with 1,100 pieces of silver. These are multi millionaire status people, and in such prosperity, it is harder to serve God (you cannot serve God and wealth, Matt 6:24). Today’s chapter put some perspective for me and I was not so lost. I wonder why this case of Micah was chosen, because it was so typical for that time. And it sure was. Some notes I saw in my ESV Bible study notes, when Dan tribes asked the Levi priest to inquire of the Lord, regarding whether their journey will succeed to invade, echoes the language of Joshua, where the “prosperous way” is defined in terms of devotion to God’s word (Josh 1:8). And later in the chapter, the Levite’s name is revealed for the first time (Jonathan), as well as his lineage- apostasy has even infected the house of Moses. Micah’s collection of cultic objects was quite impressive, rather than offering condemnation, the Danites took those objects for themselves. Their plundering of another tribe fulfils Jacob’s prediction that Dan would deal viciously with others, like a serpent or a viper (Gen 49:17). A shout out and thank you to all lovely she’s who have experimented on the emojis :)) I give you all 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for your amazing efforts! Now we know confidently which emoji to use. Prayers lifted up on requests to our Father of Light, the King of all things possible, the Living God who is the Jealous and Consuming Fire of anything evil, the Great I Am. Be blessed dear sisters.
Today’s reading left me feeling heavy. All the senseless killings. I’m also reading a WW11 book…yikes. I need to read something joyful!!
I question myself asking how often do I take things into my own hands?? Do I totally trust God. Do I turn to Him for guidance. How do I know that I’m hearing His voice over mine. Even after staying in God’s word it is still hard to know. I pray that God will change ME. That He will speak to me and I will recognize His voice. Oh Lord how I want to walk in your ways..
I had a pastor tell me that the praying hands emoji is actually a high five! Sorry to burst any ideas here…
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA, SEARCHING, and others – thanks so much for the prayers! Day 8 still seeing slight improvement each day. ❤
What stood out to me today was not the disobedience that we have seen over and over. I was struck by the verse that told of Micah losing everything after he was stripped of his idols/gods. What stood out to me and is of utmost importance is that NO ONE can take away my God, NO ONE can separate me from the One True God. Even if I lost everything else, He is with me.
Praying for each of you and sending live and hugs. We will get through this! ❤ TAYLOR and MOLLY R – hope you are on the mend!
Hey @Sue Dalos– I don’t know how else to contact you but on here. I don’t think you have FB. Your Instagram account was hacked… I got a private DM for you trying to bait me into texts about a shop. Just wanted to inform you and other Shes…in case they also received this. I’m so sorry! :( praying God helps you sort this out. I reported your account as hacked, too.
Lol you all make me laugh with your “emoji tests” xD
❤️❣️♥️ Love it.
@Searching- interesting point. I did not think of the different types of traps.
This is a difficult passage to read, today. But it is good to remember how deceitful our hearts can be even as believers.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Lord, we are grateful for Your unending mercy. We are utterly helpless and lost in sin without Your help. Thank you for Your grace, that You “wake up” up to deliver us from the places of consequence You allow in our lives.
I think of my own story, when I asked God at 20 years old, “”If You are good, why do you let me suffer?” He had mercy and told me it was because of my own choices that I suffered. I needed to know that. Almost 11 years later, I have seen His hand more clearly since then. Thankful. God bless you, Shes. May we continue to find Him in our daily lives and seek to do His will above our own mislead ambitions. God be near to you and strengthen you all. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. ❤️
Agree… trusting in Jesus, and his ways are not always easy, but it’s always the BEST choice even when, on our end, it seems dim and uncertain, but ONE thing for sure we CAN trust Him. Our Father knows best. Good morning, sweet She’s have a blessed Tuesday.
GM! It’s nice being up an hour earlier with time change, having more time for our daily reading on days like today when I have my group! It’s funny how you can scan through these OT passages so quickly without applying to our lives today, that’s why I love the SRT studies! They are so helpful by breaking them down, and putting them into perspective. And then ya’ll add your wisdom and reflections.
We must keep God not only in the forefront always, but praying and looking to Him for all things. Hard to do in a world that has forgotten that He is King and living by their own standards. At least growing up in the 80′ and 90’s, people respected your religion and values. Now sometimes I/you feel like the outcast, but God will honor the small remnant left. We are his people, and we must live our lives like it! God help us in our ways and challenges, to come to you first and always.
Have a good day all!
No praying hands. I am kinda surprised.
Amen, Kaitie Stoddard… “Do I ever believe my plan is superior to the Lord’s?” (My answer… “Yeppers!”) and “Our Father in heaven knows what is best for us and works for our good.” (I oftentimes think, “But what do I think is best for me?”)
And isn’t us so easy to see where the Israelites are messing up? How about me? I do it too, but the words aren’t written down for others to see. (Thank You for your grace, Father!)
Lord, help me and my sweet sisters be obedient. ❤️⭐️✝️❣️
(I used emojis that others had used to “pass the test” so I know these ones are “ok”. I added praying hands… certainly that one is “ok”… winky face!) Mine that didn’t work… the winky face, and the wackadoodle face, and a smiley face and two pink hearts in one emoji.)
This statement stood out to me today from HRT: “There is a warning here for us today. While we may not be setting up carved idols in our homes or among our friends and family members, we are constantly being encouraged to synchronize the true worship of God based on Scripture with what seems to fit with our own desires and the practices and values of our culture. Idolatry is a wildfire of rebellion against the Most High God.” I feel right now in my own life that it is so important to stay in God’s Word and test everything I hear against it because there is so much non-truth being flung around as truth! I need to remind myself to be diligent in looking for truth; in the podcasts I listen to, in the articles I read and in the sermons I hear. I want to be a student of the Word and be a follower of the One TRUE God. Lord, open my ears, focus my eyes and make my heart sensitive to Your Truth and only Your Truth.
Taken from 1 Peter: “We are redeemed from our empty way of life”…freeing to know God gives us a life of meaning not emptiness. God direct my steps today in all the small ways that they may be pleasing to you. Remind me that I am purified by my obedience to the truth, that I inherited salvation by your precious blood and my faith and hope are in you. Amen
The blatant disobedience of the tribe of Dan is a tough read. Rather than ‘just’ forgetting God, they intentionally turned their backs on Him and took matters into their own hands. Sad and interesting to read that they are only tribe not included in the list of sealed tribes in Revelation 7:4-8.
From HRT, “we are constantly being encouraged to synchronize the true worship of God based on Scripture with what seems to fit with our own desires and the practices and values of our culture.” Unfortunately, I/we see this in the news and in church position statements, in my own family even.
HRT discusses the dangers of the wildfire of idolatry and how quickly something can get out of control and likens it to a controlled burn gone wrong. As Nick Batzig mentioned, we also were never allowed anywhere near the burns that my family did “just in case.” Even when only the intended area was burned, an unexpected change in conditions could cause a burn to get too hot and damage trees rather than just clear the undergrowth. Such are our misguided attempts to dabble in things we shouldn’t, or fail to take certain thoughts captive.
BRENDA ❤️ mentions the effect of small decisions we make – which started me thinking long term. They can reach far beyond anything we ever thought, positive or negative depending on the direction of the the decision … closer to God or farther from Him.
Happy Belated Birthday – TRACI GENDRON and TAYLOR.
LAURA – continuing to pray for your children
TRACI GENDRON – joining others in praying the Lord’s comfort during this upcoming week ❤️
MARTHA HIX ❤️ that’s a lot of boxes! thanks for update, and pray the additional evaluation goes well tomorrow
CEE GEE – thanks for reminder of that great song, Break Every Chain. ❤️ Praying for continued healing
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN, ADRIENNE, KELLY (NEO) and others I may have missed – agreeing on “signs” while praying we are seeing them as God intends. I struggle with this.
KELLY (NEO) thank you for emoji test ❣️
MICHELLE PATIRE – you mentioned finding our foot caught in trap of sin. Brought to mind the different types of traps used – some for safety, medical treatment, tagging, etc (trap and release) and then the type you spoke of where struggling to escape tightens the grip of the trap/sin … Lord, keep us safe.
Oh that You reward my faith and forgive my doubt that I am strengthened by your spirit to walk in your ways! In Jesus name. Amen
The details matter. The small choices, circumstances we may see as insignificant or unimportant. The quote “a long obedience in the same direction” only happens one small decision at a time. May I fully rely on and trust God moment by moment and day by day.
In todays reading, the Danites find a quiet village ripe for the taking and attribute it to God’s gift. They want a priest, but they want their idol too. If someone wrote the story of my life, would my missteps be clear to see? It’s harder to get the whole picture when we’re making minute by minute decisions. We can’t see the forest for the trees. What seems like a good idea at first might steer us off course. (Still hoping for that blinking neon sign, pointing me in the right direction!) So we keep our eyes up, keep our feet on the path.
“Veering from God’s provision, they left behind a wake of physical and spiritual destruction. . . . We choose our own plans because we don’t trust that God’s plan is actually good for us. . . . In the short term, we think our plan is less painful and more effective. . . . a life of disobedience only brings pain and suffering.”
So heartbreaking how easily Israel turned from God’s ways. Even though these events are focusing on different tribes/regions, there does not seem to be any tribe/region that is standing for righteousness.
TAYLOR – HBD
TRACI GENDRON – HBD
Praying for you Shes.
MERCY – Emojis that did not appear once posted were a smiley face and a thumbs-up
On the section of the podcast I listened to today, the term man-made religion was said. I think this is so easy to fall into. The sermon at my church this past week was on a passage from Jeremiah and was talking about how the Israelites (at that time) fell away a little at a time. I lean towards all or nothing thinking in my life but there is something to be said about examining the small decisions that I make. Am I putting God and prayer to the front of everything? Not always.
Also on my Instagram feed an ad for a necklace came up that said “But God”. It made me think of our own dear Tina.
Have a great day everyone.
Emoji experiment (5 typed in) ❣️✝️⭐️ then nine keyboard “wingdings” ○●□■♤♡◇♧☆
May the Danites’ story remind us that we are all utterly lost without God’s guidance… What truth! And yes, indeed may the Danites story remind us of how lost we are without GODS,and only Gods guidance..
We have access to God’s wisdom in Word and Spirit. The Good book is our accessible guide, and the Spirit of GOD living in us will lead us on..
Our Father in heaven knows what is best for us and works for our good… This He has promised from day one, He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Forever our good good Father..
Placing our trust in the Lord and obeying Him will not always be easy, but we have a powerful promise of true life, flourishing and full of purpose, when we look to Jesus and walk in His ways…
BUT GOD..
By God..
In God.
For God..
AMEN.
Happy Tuesday dear hearts.. wrapped in cosy love and warming hugs from across the pond.. ❤️
Amen