Because They Can

What is the present judgment of God upon all the tribes of Israel? (v.1)

Why don't they have a leader to unite them and lay hold of the full possession of their inheritance?

Why does Samuel keep pointing out that the Law of God isn't being enforced by reminding us that there was no king? (v.1)

Proverbs 29:4 (NKJV)

4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

Proverbs 29:14 (NKJV)

14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.

Proverbs 16:12 (NKJV)

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

Psalm 10:16 (NKJV)

16 The Lord is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land.

Psalm 29:10 (NKJV)

10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever.

Psalm 47:7 (NKJV)

7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.

Psalm 89:18 (NKJV)

18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 95:3 (NKJV)

3 For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.

Is it fair to say that the tribes are using the liberty of God's name to exercise their own libertinism?

Galatians 5:13–14 (NKJV)

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

1 Peter 2:15–16 (NKJV)

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

2 Peter 2:18–20 (NKJV)

18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

Why is there no fear of God in Israel?

Jeremiah 2:19 (NKJV)

19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you," Says the Lord God of hosts.

Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV)

13 Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

Is it because there is neither prophet nor king?

Proverbs 15:16 (NKJV)

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.

Proverbs 1:29–31 (NKJV)

29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

Is it right to assume that Dan hasn't been "allotted" his inheritance?

Joshua 19:40–48 (NKJV)

40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. 41 And the territory of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Jethlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron, 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, 46 Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the region near Joppa. 47 And the border of the children of Dan went beyond these, because the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem and took it; and they struck it with the edge of the sword, took possession of it, and dwelt in it. They called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan, their father. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Therefore isn't Samuel saying that Dan hasn't attained his full allotted possession yet? (v.1)

But why hasn't he possessed it yet?

Is it because none of his brothers cared that he didn't possess it? And isn't that why Samuel reminds us that there was no king in Israel to enforce the Law? (v.1)

Therefore was Dan right to grow impatient and to seek to obtain an inheritance his own way? (v.2)

Shouldn't Dan have gone up to Shiloh first? (v.31)

Surely Dan was growing as a tribe, but they were most likely running out of room since the Philistines occupied their promised territory. And didn't his brothers grow comfortable putting the Philistines under tribute while they were still weak? But why wasn't there anyone who feared God to remind all the tribes of their vow of responsibility to assure that all their brothers receive (and keep) their inheritance?

Therefore it's safe to say Dan was not sent by the LORD to search out new territory. However, it was by grace and through faith that Dan was silently allowed to succeed in obtaining Laish, but consider the means by which he justifies himself in pursuing his need. (v.3)

How were the spies able to recognize the voice of the young Levite (of Judah)?

John 10:1–6 (NKJV)

1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Does this mean that Dan had gone up to ask for answers at the tabernacle where they could have heard his voice and met him? Or does it mean they recognized his voice as some kind of a Levitical recital that they heard? Isn't it more likely they knew him directly because it says they recognized the voice (of the young man)?

So could this be why both Dan and the young Levite were somehow rejected by the priesthood of Aaron's order?

Or was he again just an exile of Judah masquerading as a sojourning Levite? Could Dan have been seduced by him before in the same way Micah took him in? (v.4)

Why would the tribes have so much blind trust in everyone who claims to be a Levite? (v.5)

But again, how does this express their ignorance of the Law by their inability to demonstrate self-control according to the image of the LORD'S offering that He sanctified for the mediation of their blessing and cursing? (v.6)

John 10:34–38 (NKJV)

34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

If the young Levite was "consecrated" to serve only Micah, how is it then that he was consecrated to serve Dan, also? Do you see the irony?

Therefore it was by sheer happenstance that the Levite "got it right" in blessing Dan's success. Even a dead clock is right twice a day. (v.7)

Therefore we have to go back and ask why Dan was rejected from possessing his lot from the Philistines. Why weren't his brothers coming to his aid to push out the Philistines from his territory once and for all? Did the Levitical priesthood have anything to do with it?

Isn't it better to be sold rather than bought?

Judges 2:14 (NKJV)

14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

Judges 10:7 (NKJV)

7 So the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the people of Ammon.

But what about the priesthood? Were they only serving those who would "feed" them? Didn't they have a responsibility to all the tribes, not just the ones that came up to offer? (v.8)

Matthew 5:46–48 (NKJV)

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Ezekiel 34:1–10 (NKJV)

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." 7 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 "As I live," says the Lord God, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock"—9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them."

Therefore how do we know that the tribes had ceased coming up to celebrate the feasts?

2 Chronicles 30:24–27 (NKJV)

24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep, and the leaders gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25 The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.

2 Chronicles 35:16–19 (NKJV)

16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of King Josiah. 17 And the children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. 18 There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.

Therefore if they had trouble gathering the tribes in the days of the kings, how much more when there was no king? (v.9)

Therefore was Dan justified by taking a "peaceful" city?

Consider that Laish had no king to steward the shame of their civil disputes and to tax their resources. That's why they were living quietly and securely! And didn't Yahweh give Joshua the city of Gibeon "alive" as an example of that? (v.27)

1 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 (NKJV)

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Therefore were they truly sent by God, and has God "given it" into their hands? (v.10)

Or were they sent by their own imaginations and inclinations? (v.11)

Genesis 6:1–3 (NKJV)

1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. 3 And the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."

Genesis 6:5–7 (NKJV)

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."

Genesis 8:21 (NKJV)

21 And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

Therefore what is a nation that is disorderly united in name only? (v.14)

Galatians 6:1–6 (NKJV)

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load. 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Is Dan any better than any of the nations that they sent themselves out to conquer regarding the standard of their idolatry? (v.15)

Romans 3:9 (NKJV)

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Have they forgotten that Joshua was only commissioned to conquer those cities that were loyal to the idolatrous kings of Baal? (v.16)

Therefore in what way at all did God commission Dan to plunder his own brother's inheritance along with the honor of Micah's mother? That's like an inheritance or a capital gains tax in our day. (v.17)

Does the federal government have the right to question Micah's faith in his way of life through plunder? (v.18)

But more importantly, should the federal government be permitted to be so easily lobbied and bribed? (v.19)

Again, isn't it better to be sold than bought?

And should the elected representatives of that federal government (love to have it so)?

Jeremiah 5:24–31 (NKJV)

24 They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the Lord our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest." 25 Your iniquities have turned these things away, And your sins have withheld good from you. 26 'For among My people are found wicked men; They lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; They catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. 28 They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend. 29 Shall I not punish them for these things?' says the Lord. 'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?' 30 "An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?

How great an evil it is for a federal government to take everything you own to be used for their own purposes and agenda, using the wealth you created for yourself to work against you! (v.21)

Therefore how important is it to have a local government to guard you against an inflated federal government and to have checks and balances in place to keep the system from becoming too powerful and self-interested? (v.22)

In spite of Micah's idolatry, how are the locals justified in their grievance? (v.23)

Should the federal and state governments rob you of your own children, to disciple them against your will, contrary to your values, and to undermine how you see fit to use your children as God's gift to your home?

Psalm 127:1–5 (NKJV)

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Isaiah 3:12 (NKJV)

12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths."

What is a little red schoolhouse to an army of the IRS with six hundred big guns? (v.25)

Where is the justice of the Almighty God? (v.26)

John 12:28–33 (NKJV)

28 Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

John 12:34–36 (NKJV)

34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

So how was the federal government able to justify this from beginning to end? (v.27)

Romans 13:1–7 (NKJV)

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Romans 5:15–6:2 (NKJV)

15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

But would a "sanctified" king of Israel by the direction of the Law of Yahweh have served the LORD'S justice rather than the (Libertines)? (v.28)

What becomes of Dan? (v.29)

Revelation 7:4–8 (NKJV)

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Will Dan also be judged for his idolatry? (v.30)

Amos 8:14 (NKJV)

14 Those who swear by the sin of Samaria, Who say, 'As your god lives, O Dan!' And, 'As the way of Beersheba lives!' They shall fall and never rise again."

And what does the prophet Samuel want us to make sure we understand at the close of this wicked example of the judges who had no king?

Wasn't it easier to raise up one man who would be king that would be expected to be submitted to the Law of God than many judges who had no intent to submit to the Word of the LORD? (v.31)

John 10:7–18 (NKJV)

7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

John 10:34–38 (NKJV)

34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

What does this say about the failure of every form of human government that has no loyalty to the Word of God? (v.31)

Psalm 82:1–8 (NKJV)

1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. 6 I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes." 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.