Judges 20:18

Judges 20:18 says, And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.  At least the people of Israel were asking God for His guidance.  They asked who should go up first, and God said that Judah should go against the people of Benjamin first.  This would be God's chosen people fighting against others of God's chosen people.  We need to pray that we never reach that state as professed followers of Christ, but if we we do, we need to be on the side of those who are sure they have God's guidance.  Verse nineteen adds, And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.  The people of Israel arose that morning and encamped against Gibeah.  Verse twenty continues, And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.  They then arrayed themselves to fight against Gibeah.  I believe this means they basically besieged the city.  Verse twenty-one states, And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.  The people of Benjamin did not wait for the people of Israel to attack them, but went on the offensive instead.  The people of the world today still take the initiative in fighting against Christians.  The people of Benjamin were successful, destroying twenty-two thousand Israelites that day, even though the people of Israel were following God's guidance.  Even if we are following God's guidance today, it doesn't mean that we are always going to be victorious over evil in this lifetime.  Still, it is better to die in battle standing with God than to be victorious without Him.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.  The people of Israel encouraged themselves, even though they had lost the battle.  We need to encourage ourselves by our faith in Jesus Christ if we lose a battle against the forces of evil today.  Verse twenty-three continues, (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)  They people of Israel then went and wept before the LORD and sought His counsel.  This time they didn't ask who should go next, but if they should go at all again.  If we lose a battle today, even though we have God's guidance in going into the battle, we cannot allow that to keep us from going back into the battle.  Of course, we need to seek God's guidance before we do.  Verse twenty-five declares, And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.  Verse twenty-five adds, And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.  The people of Benjamin were once again victorious, killing eighteen thousand of the people of Israel that day.  Matthew Henry points out that this was a total of forty thousand that had been lost in battle, which was the same number that had been sent back to resupply the army.  He also says that the people of Israel may have been too confident because of their numbers.  Verse twenty-six continues, Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.  At least the people of Israel did not give up on God, but returned to the house of God and wept, fasted and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.  We can never give up on God as Christians, even if we have lost battles in our fight against evil in the world.

Judges 20:8

Judges 20:8 says, And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.  Verse nine adds, But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;   All the men of Isreal took a vow to not return home until they went up against the people of Gibeah for what they had done to the Levite's wife.  Verse ten continues, And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.  They said they were going to take a tenth of the men of Israel to get provisions for the rest, who would be united in going against Gibeah.  They were not concerned about what would be best for them as individual tribes, but were united in doing what was best for the nation as a whole.  We need that kind of unity today, as a nation, but even more importantly as Christians.  We need to support one another to help us do what God leads us to do for the good of the country.  Veres eleven states, So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.  All the men of Israel were joined together as one against the city of Gibeah.  This had to have been a very scary sight for the people of Gibeah, especially for those men who had acted so badly toward the Levite and his wife.  If Christians were to join together to oppose evil in the world today, we might be a force large enough to cause concern to those engaging in terribly evil things.  Verse twelve adds, And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?  The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin to ask them what the wickedness was that was among them.  They didn't just overpower them, but gave them an opportunity to defend themselves.  We should always allow people to defend themselves in we hear something bad about them and we should never just attack anyone without knowing the truth, and we should give them an opportunity to explain themselves.  Verse thirteen continues, Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:  The people of Israel gave the tribe of Benjamin the opportunity to deliver the men of Gibeah so that they could be executed for their crimes, but they refused.  We should never attempt to keep those who need to from facing the responsibility for their actions, even if they are a part of our family.  Verse fourteen says, But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.  Not only would the people of the tribe of Benjamin not turn over the men, but they went to Gibeah to join with them in fighting against the people of Israel, of which they were a part.  As followers of Christ, we are all a part of God's family, and we should never fight each other, especially if the fight is caused by someone who has committed a great evil in the world.  Verse sixteen adds, And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.  The people of Benjamin had twenty-six thousand men who could draw a sword, plus seven hundred chosen men from Gibeah.  They were badly outnumbered.  Verse sixteen continues, Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.  Among them were seven hundred left-handed men who were highly accurate with a sling.  The people of Benjamin were so full of pride that they thought they could take on all of Israel.  If we are acting on our own as Christians, without relying on the power of God, all the self-pride in the world will not save us from an overpowering enemy.  Verse seventeen concludes, And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.  We are once more told that the army of Israel numbered four hundred thousand fighting men of war.

Judges 20:1

 Judges 20:1 says, Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.  The people of Israel were united as one after hearing about what had happened to the Levite's concubine.  No one authority called them together, but they came out of common decency, gathering at Mizpeh under the LORD.  Verse two adds, And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.  There were four hundred thousand men who could draw a sword there.  When we as followers of Christ encounter great evil in the world today, we need to come together to combat it, especially if that evil is occurring within the church, who are supposed to be God's people.  Verse three adds, (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?  The people of the tribe of Benjamin heard about the assembly at Mizpeh, but evidently hadn't felt compelled to gather with them.  When God's people gather today to fight against evil in the world, don't be surprised if some people who profess to be Christians remain on the sidelines.  Those gathered asked the Levite to tell them about this wickedness.  They went to the source to find the truth, and so should we at all times, but especially when we hear about some great evil event that has occurred.  Verse four states, And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.  The Levite, who is referred to as the husband of the woman, began to tell them what happened in Gibeah, a city of those who were a part of God's chosen people, when he and his concubine went there for help.  Verse five adds, And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.  The Levite told them how the men there had assailed the house where they were staying so that they feared for their lives and had taken his concubine, and abused her until she died.  He didn't explain how they had gotten her and not him.  I believe that if we have somehow caused others to be harmed so that we can be protected we need to admit our responsibility.  Verse six continues,  And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.  The Levite then told how he had cut the body of his concubine into pieces and sent a piece to all the tribes.  This definitely got their attention.  Verse seven concludes, Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.  The Levite, one of the priests of God's people, said they were all a part of God's people and asked them for their advice and counsel.  Today preachers should not assume that they have the answer in every situation, but should rely on the counsel of other Christians, since we are all a part of the priesthood of believers. 

Judges 19:22

Judges 19:22 says, Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.  Some men of the city, who it says were making merry with their hearts, which I believe means they were drunk, began to beat on the door of the old man demanding he send the Levite out so that they could have sex with him.  It says also they followed Baal, even though they were Israelites.   These were the people the Levite passed by a Gentile city to reach.  We should never assume that just because people are born into a Christian family or nation that everyone is a Christian and ready to help us when we are in need.  Verse twenty-three adds, And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.  The old man, who was the master of the house and therefore responsible for the welfare of the Levite while he was in his house, went to the men and begged them to not do this wicked thing.  He still recognized that some things were totally outside God's will, but he was trying to reason with people who didn't.  We need to know and stand for what God's law says, but we need to also realize that not all people we encounter will acknowledge His law.  Verse twenty-four continues, Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.  The old man then made an offer that was not what God would have wanted, but was the same as made concerning Lot in Sodom.  He would send out his daughter and the Levite's wife for them to abuse instead.  We cannot propose one sin to keep another from happening.  Verse twenty-five states, But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.  Though it was the old man who originally offered his daughter and the Levite's concubine, who is also referred to as his wife at times, to the men, it seems that the Levite was the one who gave her to them.  He may have done this out of fear for his own safety, but we as followers of Christ should never allow someone else, especially someone that we should be protecting, to be abused simply so we can be safe.  The woman was abused all night.  Verse twenty-six adds, Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light.  The next morning, the woman returned to the house that her lord, the Levite, was in and fell down at the gate.  She returned to what should have been her place of safety, but it had proven not to be.  When we rely on the people of this world to keep us safe instead of putting our safety totally in God's hands, no matter what, we will find that we really have no place of safety.  Veres twenty-seven continues, And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.  When the Levite got ready to leave the next morning, evidently without his concubine, he found her fallen at the doorstep with her hand on the threshold.  We have to assume that since he made it safely through the night that he was no longer concerned about her.  Hopefully, we will never feel the same about people that we profess to love.  Verse twenty-eight declares, And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place. Instead of reaching down to help her out of compassion, concern, or even guilt, the Levite simply told her to get up so they could go, but she didn't answer because she had died.  As followers of Christ, we should never be this calloused about those around us who are being beat down and abused by life because they may interfere with our plans.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.  After the Levite got the body his concubine or wife back to his house, he cut her body into twelve pieces, and sent one to each of the tribes of Israel.  Even in death, the woman was not treated with any respect, even though what happens to our body after we die is really not important.  Verse thirty continues, And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.  All that saw the pieces of her body said that there had never been so great an evil in Israel since they had been delivered from Egypt.  Evidently they were also informed of what had happened to the woman, and were encouraged to talk freely about what should happen because of what had happened to her.  

Judges 19:11

Judges 19:11 says, And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.  As the Levite and his wife were traveling on the way home, it was getting dark, and his servant said they should turn in to the city of Jebus for the night.  Since their travel was slow and there weren't that many places near by, this was a sensible suggestion.  Verse twelve adds, And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.  Since Jebus was not an Israelite city, but was a city of strangers, or Gentiles, the Levite refused to go there, saying instead they would go on to Gibeah.  We as Christians today are not to refuse to have anything to do with the lost people of the world, but are told that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.  Verse thirteen continues, And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.  The Levite told his servant that they would continue on to Gibeah or Ramah to lodge for the night.  These were cities of Israel where God's people were commanded by Him to help those in need.  This I believe was what influenced the Levite to travel on.  He expected the people in these cities to live by God's law.  We today should expect the same of those who are called by God's name, but to often it doesn't happen.  Verse fourteen states, And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.  The Levite and his group went on until they came to the city of Gibeah, in the tribe of Benjamin, who were a part of God's chosen people.  This would have seemed to be a safer place for them to stop.  Verse fifteen adds, And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.  When they got into the city, no one took them in, so they remained in the street.  Gibeah may have been a city of God's chosen people by name, but it wasn't by action.  We as the church today must make certain that our actions are consistent with God's teachings, welcoming all who come to us, especially those in need.  Verse sixteen says, And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.  After finishing his work in the field, an old man who was of the tribe of Ephraim but who was temporarily living in Gibeah came along.  This man still retained the virtue of one who followed God.  Not everyone who professes to be a Christian today lives by the virtues that God instills, but if we are truly a follower of Christ we must.  Verse seventeen adds, And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?  When the old man saw the Levite and his group in the street, he asked them where they were going and where thay were from.  I don't believe that he was just being nosy, but that he was genuinely concerned for them, which by even asking them showed more concern than anyone else in the city had shown.  We need to pray that we as God's people never become so lacking in compassion that we ignore those in need, especially our fellow believers.  Verse eighteen continues, And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.  The Levite told him where he came from and where he was returning to, and said that he was going to the house of the LORD there.  He then said that no one invited him into their house that night.  We need to pray that we are more like the old man than like the rest of the people of Gibeah.  Verse nineteen states, Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.  The Levite said that he had found provisions for all his needs except lodging.  He did not complain about his situation, but only said that they lacked lodging.  We should always be joyous about what we have instead of complaining about what we don't have as Christians.  Verse twenty adds, And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.  The old man told them to be at peace and let him provide for all their needs.  Had he just told them to be at peace, he would not have helped them at all.  If we just offer platitudes to people in need today, we are doing them no good.  We, like the old man, need to be willing to offer people in need real help.  Verse twenty-one continues, So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.  The old man brought them into his house and offered them real hospitality, as was expected of God's people.  We need to be willing to do the same thing today as followers of Christ. 

Judges 19:1

Judges 19:1 says, And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.  During this time, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite took a woman from Bethlehemjudah as his concubine.  Matthew says she was considered a concubine because the priest couldn't afford to pay a dowry to marry her.  Verse two adds, And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.  We are told told the woman played the whore to the Levi, and returned to her father’s house.  Whether she was actually unfaithful and then returned to her father’s house or if she was just unfaithful by returning to her father’s house isn't totally clear, but either way, she betrayed her loyalty to her husband.  Any time we let anyone come between our spouse and us, we are really betraying them, because we are to forsake all others and hold only to them.  Verse three continues, And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.  The Levite went after her, and spoke friendly to her.  He did not come berating her or condemning her, and he brought his servant and a couple of donkeys with him.  The woman then brought the Levite to her father’s house, and her father was glad to see him.  Even if someone has harmed or betrayed us, as followers of Christ we should reach out to them with the love of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse four states, And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.  The Levite stayed with the woman and her father for three days while her father provided for him.  They were now on good terms.  It is always better if we can be on good terms with our in-laws.  Verse five adds, And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.  On the fourth day, when the Levite was ready to leave, his father-in-law started to tempt him to stay.  As Christians, if our children are called away from us to serve God elsewhere, we should never attempt to get them to stay.  Verse six continues, And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.  His father-in-law then asked the Levite to stay another night and let his heart be merry. Though tempted by something that we might enjoy, we should never let anything keep us from doing what God has called us to do.  Verse seven says, And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.  The Levite got up to leave, but allowed his father-in-law to talk him in to staying another night.  I believe that the Levite truly believed that he should be on his way, but allowed the fact that he was having a good time and the desire to please his father-in-law to keep him from doing what he believed he should do.  Once we know what God wants usxto do, we should not allow anything to keep us from doing it, nor even delay us from doing it.  Verse eight adds, And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.  The next day, when the Levite was ready to depart, his father-in-law once again asked him to wait at least until the afternoon to depart.  His father-in-law was still attempting to keep them there.  Verse nine continues, And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.  When the Levite got up to leave that afternoon, his father-in-law attempted once again to get him to stay, now saying it would be better to leave early in the morning, after just keeping him from doing that.  Sometimes, the arguments people make against us following God's will may seem to oppose earlier arguments, but we need to pray that we never use any argument to keep those closest to us from being about doing what God has called them to do.  Verse ten concludes, But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.  The Levite would no longer be convinced to stay, but took his wife and two donkeys and left.  It wasn't the best time of the day to do so, but I believe the Levite just felt he had to get underway, before his father-in-law once again attempted to get him to delay his departure. As Christians, we should never do things that make it more difficult for others to do what God has called them to do. 

Judges 18:22

Judges 18:22 says, And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.  The men of the house of Micah and the houses near him overtook the army of Dan.  At least his neighbors supported Micah, even if their purpose wasn't that good.  Micah would have been better off just letting the false religious items go, and so are we today if we have been allowing idols and false preachers to guide us.  Verse twenty-three adds, And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?  When they saw the army of Dan, they called out to them, and the army of Dan asked Micah what was wrong with him and why did he came at them with so great a company.  I am not sure how many neighbors went with Micah, but it was enough for the men of Dan to at least take notice.  When we oppose the people of the world today as followers of Christ, I hope it is for the right reasons, and they will take notice if enough of us do so.  Verse twenty-four continues, And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?  Micah said they had stolen his gods which he had made and his priest, and they had to ask why he was upset.  Both groups would have been better off without man made gods or a false priest.  We might be better off today if someone stole some of the things that get between God and us.  Verse twenty-five states, And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.  The leaders of the army of Dan basically told Micah to be quiet before they killed his household and him.  The army of Dan certainly wasn't following God's leadership, but neither was Micah.  Those who follow after the false gods of the world today will often be at war with each other.  Verse twenty-six adds, And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.  When Micah saw that the army of Dan was too strong for them to defeat, he turned back and went home.  It is too bad that he didn't turn back to God at the same time.  Losing idols ot the world is a good thing, but only if it leads us to turning to God.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.  The army of Dan continued on their way to Laish with their idols and false priest, and successfully defeated the people there and burned the city.  They likely thought that God had given them the victory, but since they had never consulted Him and had brought idols with them, they were likely successful simply because they were the stronger force.  As Christians, if we are successful in defeating those that oppose us today, we need to make sure it is because we are following God's guidance and not simply because we are physically stronger.  Verse twenty-eight says, And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.  There was no one else to oppose them, because they were a long way off from any opposition.  The army of Dan built another city there and lived in it.  Though this was their part of the Promised Land, they had left God out of their claiming it, and went even farther by bringing false gods with them when they did so.  Heaven is our Promised Land, but we will never get there by any other means than by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  After we do, we cannot continue to put our faith in the false gods, or idols, of the world.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.  They renamed the city Dan, in name of their father.  They were not giving God the glory.  There are still people today who profess a form of Christianity, but still want everything that they do to bring honor and glory to themselves instead.  Verse thirty continues, And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.  After claiming the city, the people of Dan set up the graven image to worship, and Jonathan and his sons became their priests, but not God's priests.  If we are following the leadership of a particular preacher today, we need to make sure that he is called by God and preaches His word.  Verse thirty-one concludes, And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.  They set up the graven image of Micah to serve.  They continued to serve this graven image for a long time, even though they were a part of God's chosen people.  If we are followers of Christ, we cannot afford to have idols in our life.