It has proven to be true that history repeats itself. When God established Israel as a nation He gave them very strict laws, but by the time we reach the book of Judges we find those values, that God had tried to instill in that nation, HAD VANISHED. Look at Judges 17:6. We read, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES.”
That is exactly the level American society is on today. We are repeating history. Today we find, on a large scale, EVERY MAN DOES THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES. This “religion” IS CALLED “HUMANISM.” It is impossible to define because there is no set of doctrines. Individuals simply believe, IF YOU THINK IT IS RIGHT, OR WRONG, THAT MAKES IT RIGHT, OR WRONG. THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES! They believe those who are not tolerant, are trying to force their views on them -- WHICH IS A NO-NO!
Notice, the scripture does NOT say, “Every man did that which was wrong in their own eyes.” It says, “...every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Does that sound familiar? That is exactly what most Americans are doing today! No matter how gruesome the crime, they do it if they think it is right.
Illus: Picture with me the television program called, “Crossfire.” Let us IMAGINE that the topic to be considered is going to be “Partial-Birth Abortion.” First, lets us be clear. DO YOU KNOW WHAT PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION IS? It is the murder of a partially delivered baby. (Pastor, you may, or may not wish to describe the procedure) It is terrible that in “civilized” America people have regressed to the place that they would allow such evil acts to take place!
Going back to our supposition, suppose on one side there are Bible-believing Christians, and on the other liberal pro-choice people. Let’s say the liberal pro-choicer begins by saying that the majority of the people in America believes abortion is right! Whenever anyone wants to get a matter approved they always state this because somewhere they have become convinced that a thing is right just because the “majority” says it is right.
HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!
• Look at the people of Noah’s generation. THEY WERE WRONG! God destroyed them with a flood. THEY WERE THE MAJORITY!
• Look at the people of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when God destroyed those cities. THOSE HE DESTROYED had been THE MAJORITY!
• The Bible tells us that THE MAJORITY TODAY ARE ON THE “BROAD WAY” THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL DAMNATION.
So we see--so many times THE MAJORITY IS WRONG. But, you can always count on the pro-choicer stating the majority thinks abortion is RIGHT because they feel this will give them the right to commit this horrendous act against innocent babies.
Then the Bible-believing Christian is given a turn. He basis the fact that abortion, partial-birth and any other kind, is wrong on the fact that God’s Word states it is wrong. Immediately he is ridiculed as trying to force his religious beliefs on others.
Why do they always accuse Christians of doing that? Have not sinners always tried to force their warped views on people, including Christians?
Why do sinners reject the Word of God as being the legitimate standard for what is right and wrong? They reject It because any time we refer to God’s Word we are referring to an ABSOLUTE and sinners do not want any ABSOLUTES. The sinner wants everything to be “left up in the air” so he can do WHAT IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES!
When people today DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES, they are like the people of our text. When this is the case we have...
I. FAMILIES WHO HAVE NO FOUNDATIONS.
Look at Judges 17:1-6. We read, “And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son. And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee. Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Here is a remarkable story of a man named Micah, of Ephraim.
The first thing we learn about him is that he stole 1100 shekels from his mother. It is believed that she was old and had accumulated a good little nest egg of money through saving and scrimping. She, more than likely, intended to leave this money to her son when she died, but meanwhile she enjoyed counting it and calling it her own. It is evident that when she discovered the money was gone she reacted VERY strongly, even spoke curses on the thief. Upon seeing this, evidently Micah became afraid and so he confessed that he had the money.
HERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Get the picture of this text. When that angry mother was given back her money, her disposition was completely changed. IT SEEMS THAT SHE FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE WRONG THAT WAS DONE TO HER ONCE SHE SAW HER MONEY.
Isn’t it amazing what the sight of money can do to some people’s disposition. No doubt, MONEY WAS THE GOD SHE LOVED AND SERVED. She was outraged, and cursed whoever stole it, but at its reappearance, she was so happy she was ready to bless her son, who returned it. Also, notice this, she told her son why she had become so angry. She said, verse 3, “...I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.” Look at the word, “wholly.” That is, before it had been stolen she had purposed that it should be given for her son’s benefit to make his house a house of god and once he confessed she resumed her purpose.
However, notice this; she only took two hundred shekels to give to the silversmith to make an image of.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER NINE HUNDRED SHEKELS? We are not told, but can assume she kept it for herself. Of course, we do not know anyone who would do this, do we???
Illus: Matthew Henry commented that it was no wonder that such a mother would have such a son.
We hear much being said today about children being so disobedient and disrespectful. There is no need to wonder why. It is because parents are disobedient and disrespectful. THE CHILDREN ARE “CHIPS” OFF THE “ OLD BLOCK.”
Illus: When we observe this on the increase we are reminded of the story of one Preacher James. One day his two boys found a little dog and as children will do they took him home with them. The father, Preacher James, asked them where they got the dog. When they answered that they had just found him, father came up with a bright idea. He said, “The dog is cute. Somebody may be trying to find him. Get some black shoe polish and paint some black spots on him.” The boys did as dad instructed. Not long after that a man came by asking if anyone there had seen a little stray dog. When the boys asked what color his dog was he told them he was white. The little dog trotted up about then and the man said, “That looks like my dog.” The boys immediately chimed in, “You said your dog is white. This dog is black and white.” The man admitted they were right and he went on his way to search for his dog.
The two boys -- were none other than Frank and Jesse James.
From the time God created man there have been SUCH PARENTS, but never more than today. NO WONDER CHILDREN ARE DISHONEST, DISOBEDIENT, AND DISRESPECTFUL! These are products of homes that have NO SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS. Houses today are places where people sleep under the same roof, but THAT IS ALL THEY HAVE IN COMMON. One might go to a motel or hotel and have the same situation and they do not even claim to be family.
What happened to “homes.” There used to be a time when family members-
• SLEPT TOGETHER.
• ATE TOGETHER.
• TALKED TOGETHER.
• PLAYED TOGETHER.
• PRAYED TOGETHER,
• and WORSHIPPED TOGETHER.
In this age of “vanishing values,” America is coming loose at the seams because we NO LONGER HAVE FAMILIES WHO EVEN HAVE GOOD MORAL FOUNDATIONS, LET ALONE GOOD SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS!
II. PREACHERS WHO HAVE NO PRINCIPLES.
Look at Judges 17:7-13. We read, “And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed. And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place. And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in. And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons. And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.”
Let us look at two tragic things we see in this portion of scripture.
A. We see the wickedness of the employee. This unemployed preacher willingly became Micah’s priest. In Judges 18:4, we read these sad words, “And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I AM HIS PRIEST.” That is, he himself acknowledged that his money came from Micah and he belonged to him.
Illus: We are told that a big problem with our government is caused by all the lobbyists who try to buy off our politicians behind closed doors, with big “bucks.” America needs campaign reform bad! Why? Because, these lobbyists do not give all the millions they give without expecting something in return.
Someone has said, “We have the best politicians that money can buy.”
Having officials that can be bribed will destroy a country, and also a church!
Before progressing with this thought we want to make it clear that God expects His people to take care of the “shepherd” of the “flock.” It is the responsibility of the church to take care of God’s man. When he gives his time to prayer, Bible study and the preparation of spiritual “food” for God’s people, the Bible teaches he is worthy of his “hire.”
Illus: Suppose a man who owns a restaurant works hard to prepare a meal. You come in and sit down and eat the fine meal he prepared for you. Suppose you say, “Let me shake your hand. I want to tell you I really enjoyed that meal!” But, you walk out without paying for the meal. If you do that you will feel a little tap on your shoulder and hear this man, who prepared that delicious meal, say, “I am glad you enjoyed the meal, but I make my living by serving food. You ate my food, now I want you to reach in your pocket and put some cash in my hand!”
It might be good for some preachers to say something when people leave church and shake his hand. Perhaps he should tap them on the shoulder as they leave and say, “I am glad you enjoyed the spiritual “food” I prepared for you, but I make a living by serving spiritual “food.” Now, won’t you reach in your pocket and put some cash in the church offering?”
Listen, we all know some people who will come to church and not even leave as much as they would tip a waitress.
The church should take care of the pastor. This is their responsibility.
However, some who preach are being paid exorbitant salaries by their churches, not because they want to lovingly take care of him, but because they want him to know if he does not preach what they want to hear, HE WILL LOOSE HIS EXORBITANT SALARY FAST!
Listen, those churches do not have pastors, they have HIRELINGS.
A pastor who is God called does not pastor because of money. He does what he does because he is dedicated to the preaching of God’s Word to God’s people.
Illus: A pastor of a large church had many affluent people attending his church. One of the men surprised the pastor by personally buying a brand new Buick for him. The dedicated pastor was shocked, but he said, “I thank you for thinking of me, but I can not accept the car.” The man became indignant and said, “Why?” He said, “Because, when I get into that pulpit and start preaching God’s Word, I can not hold back for anyone! If I take that car, when I start to preach something that I know you do not like, I might be tempted to hold back because I would not want to preach anything you might not like.” The rich man said that he understood and told the pastor he admired him for his dedication to preaching God’s Word.
Listen, today we have too many “hirelings” and not enough PREACHERS. John 10:12-13 talks about a hireling. We read, “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” A hireling is committed to PLEASING PEOPLE. A PREACHER is committed to PLEASING GOD!
Illus: There was a prime example of a hireling who was quoted in “Christianity Today.” The well-known “preacher” said something like this: ...that he did not know of anything that had been done in the name of Christ, and in name of Christianity, that had been more “destructive” than telling people that they were “lost” and had been “born in sin,” and were living in sin. He said he did not want to do anything that would hinder anyone from hearing his inviting them to accept Christ as their “best friend.”
Perhaps by now someone has told that hireling that ONE CAN NOT HAVE THIS “FRIEND” until he FIRST FINDS HIM AS SAVIOR! If they have not, they need to. Listen, we do not need to tell a man he is a sinner. EVERY TIME GOD’S WORD IS PREACHED, GOD TELLS HIM HE IS A SINNER!
Someone said, “I’d rather be called CRUEL, FOR BEING KIND, than to be called KIND, FOR BEING CRUEL.”
Eccl. 7:5 says, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
Micah hired a “PREACHER” and the preacher admitted he belonged to Micah. He said, “...I am his priest;” not God’s. He belonged to Micah.
Someone has said, “In America WE NO LONGER HAVE PROPHETS. We now have MEN OF P-R-O-F-I-T-S!”
WE SEE THE WICKEDNESS OF THE EMPLOYEE in this text, but also-
B. We see the wickedness of the employer. In Judges 18, the tribe of Dan was trying to find a place to settle. They had not yet driven the people out of the land God had assigned to them. The men of the tribe chose five army heroes to go spy out the land. They arrived at Micah’s house and met Micah’s priest there and, Judges 18:5, “...they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.” Naturally what they wanted to hear was, “Yes, everything will be fine!” That is what he said. Look at verse 6. We read, “...Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.” You see, many are like this wicked employer. They are only going to listen to a preacher who tells them what they want to hear.
Micah had the same mentality many have today. That is, it brought “good luck” to treat the preacher right. Look at Judges 17:14. We read, “Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.” What he said may have sounded real spiritual, but he was wicked in God’s sight. Why? Because the priest was not God’s priest. The Bible says, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES.” Like so many wicked men in our society, they DID NOT THINK THEY WERE WICKED. They just simply believed if they thought a thing was right, it was ALL RIGHT. BUT, THAT WAS NOT TRUE THEN, AND IT IS NOT TRUE NOW!
It all comes down to this, WHAT YOU AND I THINK IS NOT IMPORTANT. What is important is THUS SAITH THE LORD!
Conclusion/Summary: It should not surprise us today that our GOVERNMENT and our EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM has become so corrupt and lacking in Biblical values. In any society, like ours, where every man does that which is right in his own eyes these are the results...
I. WE HAVE FAMILIES WITH NO FOUNDATIONS.
II. WE HAVE PREACHERS WITH NO PRINCIPLES.
