Lesson 26

background notes

doctrinal / teaching points

1. Eclectic religion is pleasing to man.

2. Eclectic religion is not pleasing to God.

practical application

1. Have you experienced the futility and emptiness of idolatry?

questions

1. "From Dan to Beersheba" describes what land?

2. Were there exceptions to the darkness of the days of the judges?

3. What is eclectic religion?

4. Did the tribe of Dan have an eclectic religion? Explain.

5. Is eclectic religion in our nation today?

answers

1. All of the land of Israel from the far north to the far south of Israel.

2. Yes, Ruth is a good example. Also, when the people would return to the Lord under the leadership of a godly judge, there would be a time of blessing.

3. Eclectic religion is when you pick and choose doctrines and methods that you think are best from several religions.

4. Yes. They wanted to worship the Lord, but they wanted to do it their way. God's way was to set up no graven images; to have no priest other than the line of Aaron; and to set up no shrines. But the tribe of Dan wanted graven images like the pagans had; they wanted their own priest; and they wanted local shrines.

5. Very much so. For example, people don't want to hear about the doctrine and reality of hell, so they drop it from their statements and teaching. They don't like the thought of role distinction between men and women in the church, so an unbiblical doctrine is adopted.

discuss / consider

1. People pick and choose the doctrines that are pleasing to them. Eclectic religion is pleasing to man, but it is not pleasing to God. Consider some of the eclectic religious practices in the church today.

2. "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12). Such is the way of an eclectic religion - it seems right and it is pleasing to man, but it is not pleasing to God. The false worship by the tribe of Dan paved the way for the further idolatry of Jereboam I, who set up golden calf idols in the northern kingdom. Is eclectic religion creeping into your life in any way?

challenge

When the tribe of Dan took away Micah's priest and idols, he said, "You have taken away...what more do I have?" Have you made an idol of your home or your work or your "things?" The gods of this life bring futility and emptiness. Have there been times in your life when you have experienced this emptiness? Rid yourself of the idols in your life and live in the fullness and joy of the Lord.

memorize

• "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

• "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What do you have here?" Judges 18:3

• "Do you know that there are in these houses idols?" Judges 18:14

• "You have taken away my gods...now what more do I have?" Judges 18:24