Micah had sculptered images and molten images of gods that became a shrine that a Levite from bethlehem took care of before the tribe of Dan stole them and the Levite happily going with the tribe. Isnt this forbidden? To make images and worship other gods?
I found Judges to be a bit confusing since so many things forbidden are happening in the book yet the people doing them are made out to be heroes such as Samson marrying a non Jew.
2007-10-29 03:18:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
Rossener good point "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did as he pleased."
2007-10-29 05:32:33 · update #1
That is the point! The theme of the Book of Judges is "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes".
Now we know this is not where we are supposed to be. We are to meditate in Torah, and keep it on our lips day and night.
For example, you have this picture where Jephthah makes an oath to God that if he delivers the enemy in his hand that he will sacrifice to God the first thing that exits his house.
Immediately he is outside of the will of God, because what would be walking out of his house?? Not a ram, or a spotless lamb, but instead his daughter:
Jdg 11:34 When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
So he sacrifices his daughter and she gets all the glory over the deliverance that Jesus gave Israel!!!!
Jdg 11:40 that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.
They made a holiday over the fact that she gave her life to save Israel (which took Israel's eyes off of God).
Then Israel backslid, and his bad choices of not following the law brought problems onto Israel.
When we are not in God's word, and aren't doing what he asks, we are setting ourselves up to hurt ourselves and others.
Keep that in mind while reading this book ;)
Jos 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
2007-10-29 12:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by Adopted 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of the reason for the book of judges is to describe Israelite society prior to the kingship, hence the frequent mentions of people doing "whatever was right in his eyes". It essentially describes an anarchistic society, frequently at the mercy of other more unified peoples. What was unique about the judges was not that they defeated Israel's enemies, rather the way in which they triumphed. The judges united the people, and when the people were united (and behind God) nothing could stop them. This book is essentially the counter-point to the first book of Samuel, wherein one sees the worst of a kingdom and the best of a judge-dom. The power of a kingdom is the unity, both of purpose and in rule. This unity was only achieved rarely prior to the establishment of the kingdoms, and never for any long period of time. What you mention about micah is absolutely true: what he produced was certainly against Judaism. However, he is not made out to be a hero, and Samson is not universally recognized as a judge. The judges themselves in general were devout and heroes, whereas Samson was a pseudo-judge (he never really acted as judge) and much closer to a vigilante than anything else. He is mentioned more for his accomplishments than as a shining beacon of good.
2007-10-29 05:52:38 · answer #2 · answered by Michael J 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The ending pretty much says it all, everyone did what seemed right in his own eyes during that time. Sadly, that also included the leaders. The heroes were the best of pretty slim pickings.
2007-10-29 04:21:26 · answer #3 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Dude, only the priestly elite who wrote the scriptures were monotheists...the rest of the population were both YHWH devotees as well as idol worshippers.
Even in Jesus's time many Jews worshipped Apollo, Adonis and other pagan deities. Many of these Jews were forcibly converted to Islam and became....Palestinians.
2007-10-29 03:25:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
I liked Deborah.
2007-10-29 12:13:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Rossoner.
2007-10-29 09:50:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes that was forbidden.
2007-10-30 14:21:06 · answer #7 · answered by greysygrlsy123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋