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Judges · Men's Leadership Study

Week 18: A Tribe Takes What It Wants

Judges 18

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Read Together

Judges 18

Read the whole chapter aloud before discussing the handout.

Hidden in the Text

Weekly Devotional

Only at the end do we learn the hired Levite's name. He is Jonathan, a descendant of Moses. A man from the family of Israel's great lawgiver has become a priest for an idol. A godly family history did not keep him faithful. Dan then makes that private idol the center of worship for the whole tribe. One family's sin is passed down for generations. The spies also choose Laish because it is peaceful, alone, and easy to attack. They choose an easier city instead of fighting for the land God gave them. Be careful when a ministry opportunity offers a bigger name, less resistance, and approval from someone you pay to agree with you.

Discuss Honestly

Hard Questions

  1. 01

    Dan relocated instead of fighting for the land God gave. Where are you seeking a new situation instead of winning the one you're in?

  2. 02

    The Levite left for a bigger platform without a second's hesitation. What offer would tempt you most — money, title, size, city? Answer honestly.

  3. 03

    Who in your life will bless whatever you've already decided? Are you cultivating those voices or avoiding them?

  4. 04

    Micah lost his gods and cried, 'What have I more?' What would you say if what you lost were taken tomorrow?

  5. 05

    Laish paid for Dan's sin. Who is affected by your decisions and has no vote in them?

  6. 06

    This idolatry lasted centuries. What are you setting up that could outlive you in the wrong direction?

  7. 07

    Where have you used spiritual language — 'God opened a door,' 'peace about it' — to make right a decision you'd already made?

Look Them Up

Cross-References

  • Judges 1:34

    The Amorites forced Dan into the mountain. Chapter 18 is the consequence of chapter 1's failure.

  • Jeremiah 23:16-17

    Prophets who speak a vision of their own heart and say, 'Ye shall have peace.' Micah's Levite exactly.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3-4

    They shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. Dan hired the oracle it wanted.

  • 1 Kings 12:28-30

    Jeroboam later puts a golden calf in Dan. The tribe's idolatry becomes the northern kingdom's.

  • Revelation 7:5-8

    Dan is missing from the list of sealed tribes. Read it and sit with it.