I wonder if you read to the end of this chapter and asked yourself, “Where is God in all of this?”

The story of the Danite migration starts with a partial repetition of the refrain, “In those days Israel had no king.” Just as the wayward Levite sought a place to settle in Chapter 17, so now the text describes a wayward tribe seeking a place to settle. Just like how Micah seized control of his own fate by establishing a shrine with a priest to ensure or coerce Yahweh’s blessings, so now do the Danites attempt to seize control of their own fates by locating and procuring a land that is much easier for them to take than their allotted inheritance.

What did the Danites do? They asked the Levite to ask god (generic term and not “Yahweh”) if their journey will be successful, and not if they should even go on the journey. Why would the Danites be finding another land to stay in, when God has allocated a land to them?

The Danite spies went to Laish and reported that it was a territory to subdue, stressing on the insecurity and defenselessness of the people there (they lived far away from the Sidonians and had no relationship with anyone else). It was not a land Yahweh had asked them to take.

Six hundred Danite men set out to attack the unsuspecting town, but on their way, they took with them Micah’s carved image, the ephod, the other household gods and the cast idol. Rather than destroying these gods, they acquired them. Rather than trusting in Yahweh, they had allowed syncretism to enter into their worship.

Not only were the Danites seeking their own gain, Micah, and the Levite, were also seeking their own gain, as documented in this chapter. The different characters in this chapter dwelled in repeated sin, and did not call out to God in repentance or seek God in any of their actions. However, it seemed as though their sinful activities helped them to achieve success. The Danites, who have failed to trust Yahweh to possess land allotted to them actually succeeded in possessing their own land without any trust in Yahweh.

The truth is, success, as the world judges this concept – acquire land, acquire priest – is not necessarily a sign of righteousness. It is also not necessarily an indication that the things we are doing are exactly the way God wants things done. God may not suppress every corrupt motive, thought, action, or scheme of human beings, therefore, the success of these actions or thoughts does not mean that the means to these success are godly. Ultimately, God judges man’s heart, and asks if we have truly followed Him or done things according to His Way.

While “I Did It My Way” is the essence of modern society’s orientation, its emphasis on self suggests a complete neglect and omission of the sovereignty of our Lord. May we always seek to do things God’s Way and not our own way.

Prayer : Dear Lord, help me to seek your way, and do things according to your will, so that I may always be at the centre of your will, which is the best portion to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.