Judges 18:1 - Meaning and Application

Here is, first, the aim these Danites had in view with Laish. This was not the whole tribe of Dan, but one family from it. In the division of Canaan, that city had fallen to their lot. Up to this point, this family had stayed with their brothers, who had taken possession of their own land between Judah and the Philistines, and they had not gone to their own city because there was no king in Israel to govern them (Judges 18:1).

Their inheritance was far away from the rest of their tribe. It was also completely in enemy hands. So they chose to depend on their brothers instead of going far off to provide for themselves. At last, need pushed them to act, and they began to think about finding land to live in. It is better to have a little of your own than to keep depending on others.

Second, consider the search this family of Dan made about Laish. They sent five men to scout the land (Judges 18:2). They wanted to know what kind of country it was, whether it was worth going so far for, and what kind of people lived there. They also wanted to know whether taking it could be done, what strength it would take, and the best way to attack it. The men they sent were brave men, who knew how to face danger if they were caught by enemies. It is wise to look before we leap. Dan had the craft of a serpent on the way (Genesis 49:17), as well as the courage of a lion’s cub leaping from Bashan (Deuteronomy 33:22).

Third, notice how their spies met Micah’s priest, and how they used that meeting. It seems they had known this Levite, a man from the tribe set apart for religious service, before. In his travels he had sometimes been in their area. Even if his face had changed, they recognized his voice (Judges 18:3). They were surprised to find him so far away, and they asked what brought him there. He told them what work he was doing and what support he had (Judges 18:4).

When they learned that he kept an oracle, a way of seeking guidance, they asked him to tell them whether their plan would succeed (Judges 18:5). This shows how little they cared about God and his rule. They would not have asked the Lord at all if this Levite had not mentioned the idols he kept. Many people never think about religion unless it happens to come in their way. They also showed ignorance of God’s law, because they thought the Lord, who had forbidden the use of carved images in worship, would still answer them through an image. Should God be asked in that way? (Ezekiel 14:3)

They seem to have valued Micah’s household idols more than God’s true guidance. They had passed by Shiloh, where God’s high priest served, but for all we know they had not asked counsel there. Instead, Micah’s poor Levite became their oracle. He went through his usual way of consulting his idols, and whether he truly believed in it or not, he spoke so confidently that he made them think he had a message from God. He encouraged them to go on and promised success (Judges 18:6): “Go in peace. You will be safe, and your way is before the Lord,” meaning, “God approves it, and therefore he will make it prosper. He will watch over you for good, guide you, and protect you in all your going out and coming in.”

Our main concern should be that our way is one God approves. If it is, we may go in peace. If God cares for us, we should cast our care on him, and be content that we cannot go astray if he goes before us.