March 24: home made religion

Judges chapters 17 and 18

^"2 And he said to his mother, The 1,100 shekels of silver that were taken from you, about which you cursed and also spoke about in my hearing, behold, I have the silver with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be you by the Lord, my son!" Judges 17:1

Well it just goes downhill from here. The mother blessing her son for returning stolen money. A lot of money. Especially considering Judges 17:10 which indicated 10 shekels a year was an adequate wage. 

Micah then proceeded to make up his own elaborate religion! Including a shrine, priests, an ephod (priestly garment), and various idols. Wow! I guess he thought he was special. 

There are many made up religions in the world today. I just used some home made laundry soap compiled of earth friendly ingredients. Home made laundry soap is a great cost effective idea. But home made religion? Not so great. In fact, it directly opposes God's word! 

^"6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6

This is common today! We can justify anything. And when we allow our hearts to drift away from God, we always worship something. Our own home made gods.

In chapter 17, the tribe of Dan decides to take a city. Even though they couldnt find the courage to conquer the land allotted to them by God. Interesting.

On their way to Laish, they stop by Micah's house and steal the gods and his priest. Poor Micah. His home made gods couldn't defend themselves.

Through a chain of events, established idolatry in Israel began with a son stealing 1100 shekels from his mother! 

These 2 chapters are a case study of the spiritual sin and confusion Israel was in during this time. Please take the time to read them. Real life Word of God is much more interesting than fiction!

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!!!

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Josh.24: 15

“Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Matt. 4:10

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Luke 4:8

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Co. 3:23-24

“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.” Ps. 100:2

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” Pr. 3:5-6

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.” Deut. 13: 4

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your soul.” Josh. 22:5

“If ye will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God.  But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.  Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes.”1 Sam. 12:24-26

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the god of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever.” 1 Chron. 28:9

“Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.” Mal. 3:18

“No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; of any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” John 12:26

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9:14

"Dear God, I will serve You and You alone! I pledge my allegiance to You! As I study Your word, I long more and more for You. I hunger for righteousness. I thirst for You. Forgive me for those times I served my own fleshly desires. Forgive me for making up my own religion. Forgive me for doing what was right in my own eyes. Thank You for bringing me out of the pit I was in. You are the One true God and You only will I serve. I will worship You for ever and ever! I will bow to You alone! Bless Your Holy name, Jesus. AMEN."