THE STORY OF MICAH
Intro:
1. In Judges 17, we find recorded the story of Micah, "a man from the mountains of Ephraim."
2. The story basically deals with a shrine that Micah built and his employ of a Levite to serve him as priest.
3. What we want to notice in this story, however, is that we can observe some tendencies present in that day that are also
present today.
I. The Tendency To Judge Friends And Relatives By Different Standards Than Others. (v. 1-2)
A. Notice the "curse" pronounced by Micah’s mother on whomever stole her money, but the reaction when she discovered
that her son had taken it.
B. We sometimes judge by different standards.
1. We tend to look at self differently. (Matt. 7:1-6)
a. We become self-righteous. (Prov. 20:6; 30:12; Luke 18:9-14)
b. Ex. – You tell a lie, I stretch the truth a little; You are selfish and covetous, I am a wise steward;
You are a busybody, I am concerned; etc.
2. We tend to look at family differently.
a. What we condemn in others, we defend when mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or sister are involved.
b. Ex. – We sometimes excuse the unfaithfulness of family members, or shift blame elsewhere, rather than
rebuke them as we would others. ("I’ll tell you why my children don’t come to church", etc.)
c. Sometimes, we appear to be more loyal to family than to the Lord. (cf. Matt. 10:37-38)
3. We tend to look at friends differently.
a. It is alright for the church to practice discipline on "sinners," but not on my friend.
b. We need to make friends with God first. (James 2:23; 4:4)
C. This tendency causes us many times to change our convictions.
1. It is sometimes amusing how some abandon extreme views when something hits close to home.
a. One may declare it a sin for women to wear make-up until wife or daughter starts wearing it.
b. Many have modified position on women in pants, women working, etc. after family becomes involved.
2. While it may be amusing to see people shift about on issues such as those mentioned above, it is not amusing at
all, yea, tragic to see people abandon clear Bible teaching when family or friends become involved in sinful practices.
a. It is easier for some to condone the sin of a family member than to openly rebuke him.
b. Prime example — Marriage, divorce and remarriage.
(1) This is becoming an all too common problem within the church.
(2) Many who have held to God’s word for years, all of the sudden reject it when someone in family
is involved — How sad!
II. The Tendency To Follow Self Devised Standards. (v. 6)
A. The world in general has rejected God as the King of their lives. Since they have refused to have a King, they now do what
is right in their own eyes.
B. The nonreligious follow their own standards — HUMANISM.
1. "Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has
within himself the power for its achievement. He must set intelligence and will to task." — Humanist Manifesto I
2. "No deity will save us; we must save ourselves." — Humanist Manifesto II
3. We need to realize, however, that we do not know the answers. (Jer. 10:23)
4. To take such an attitude will lead to destruction. (Is. 47:10-11)
C. The religious follow their own standards — DENOMINATIONALISM.
1. Teach and practice doctrines of own devising. (Matt. 15:8-9)
2. Also headed to destruction because they have rejected teachings of the king. (cf. Gal. 1:6-9; John 12:48)
D. We simply cannot follow self-devised standards. (Prov. 12:15; 14:12; 16:2; 21:2)
III. The Tendency To Think As Long As One Is Close To What God Wants, Then That Is Close Enough. (v. 13)
A. Many practice a "horseshoe" religion. All you have to do is be close.
B. Some think God is going to bless them merely because they wear right name.
("Christian," "Church of God," "Church of Christ," etc. )
C. Many in church just want to be close.
1. Don't have anyone qualified to be elders, so we will appoint the best we have.
2. I come to church on Sunday morning. That is good enough.
3. We have hired a preacher "to do our personal work for us." That is good enough.
4. I give a little into the treasury to fulfill my obligation of benevolence. That is good enough.
5. We have love in this congregation and that is most important thing.
6. And we could go on and on.
Concl:
1. We need to combat these tendencies that we have discussed in this lesson.
2. Let us render righteous, impartial judgments; follow God’s standards; and do exactly as God commands us.