Judges 18:5 - They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
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What does "Judges 18:5" mean?
This verse, Judges 18:5, describes a situation where the Danites, a tribe of Israel, are looking for a new territory to settle in because they hadn't successfully driven out the Canaanites from their allotted land. They are essentially asking for divine guidance to ensure their mission is successful. Let's break it down:
"They said to him..." "They" refers to the Danites' spies who are scouting out potential territories. "Him" refers to a Levite priest who was serving as a religious figure in the house of Micah. (This priest is later enticed to join the Danites and become their priest.)
"...“Please ask counsel of God..." This is the core request. They want the Levite priest to inquire of God on their behalf. This was typically done through prayer, divination (like casting lots), or seeking a prophetic word. They believe God can provide guidance and insight into their future.
"...that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”" This reveals their motivation. They want assurance that their planned journey and subsequent actions will be successful. They desire prosperity, meaning success in finding a good land, overcoming any obstacles, and establishing themselves in the new territory. They want God's blessing and guarantee of a favorable outcome.
In essence, the verse means: The Danite spies are asking the Levite priest to pray to God or use some other form of divination to find out if their scouting mission to find a new land to inhabit will be successful and result in them prospering. They want God's guarantee that their journey will be blessed.
Important considerations about the context:
Spiritual decline: The book of Judges highlights a time of moral and spiritual decline in Israel. This desire for prosperity, while understandable, might also reflect a focus on outward success rather than genuine obedience to God.
Compromised priesthood: The fact that they are asking a Levite from a questionable religious setup (Micah's idols) raises concerns. This priest is easily swayed by self-interest, foreshadowing the problematic choices the Danites will make.
Outcome: The story ultimately shows the Danites succeeding in their mission, but through violent and questionable means (seizing Micah's idols and hiring his priest). This casts doubt on whether their "prosperity" was truly blessed by God. It suggests that their success was achieved through their own ambition and actions, rather than divine guidance.
Therefore, this verse, while seeming like a simple request for guidance, also highlights the religious and moral ambiguities of the time and raises questions about the true nature of success and prosperity.
Judges 18:5 - They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
What does "Judges 18:5" mean?
This verse, Judges 18:5, describes a situation where the Danites, a tribe of Israel, are looking for a new territory to settle in because they hadn't successfully driven out the Canaanites from their allotted land. They are essentially asking for divine guidance to ensure their mission is successful. Let's break it down:
"They said to him..." "They" refers to the Danites' spies who are scouting out potential territories. "Him" refers to a Levite priest who was serving as a religious figure in the house of Micah. (This priest is later enticed to join the Danites and become their priest.)
"...“Please ask counsel of God..." This is the core request. They want the Levite priest to inquire of God on their behalf. This was typically done through prayer, divination (like casting lots), or seeking a prophetic word. They believe God can provide guidance and insight into their future.
"...that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”" This reveals their motivation. They want assurance that their planned journey and subsequent actions will be successful. They desire prosperity, meaning success in finding a good land, overcoming any obstacles, and establishing themselves in the new territory. They want God's blessing and guarantee of a favorable outcome.
In essence, the verse means: The Danite spies are asking the Levite priest to pray to God or use some other form of divination to find out if their scouting mission to find a new land to inhabit will be successful and result in them prospering. They want God's guarantee that their journey will be blessed.
Important considerations about the context:
Spiritual decline: The book of Judges highlights a time of moral and spiritual decline in Israel. This desire for prosperity, while understandable, might also reflect a focus on outward success rather than genuine obedience to God.
Compromised priesthood: The fact that they are asking a Levite from a questionable religious setup (Micah's idols) raises concerns. This priest is easily swayed by self-interest, foreshadowing the problematic choices the Danites will make.
Outcome: The story ultimately shows the Danites succeeding in their mission, but through violent and questionable means (seizing Micah's idols and hiring his priest). This casts doubt on whether their "prosperity" was truly blessed by God. It suggests that their success was achieved through their own ambition and actions, rather than divine guidance.
Therefore, this verse, while seeming like a simple request for guidance, also highlights the religious and moral ambiguities of the time and raises questions about the true nature of success and prosperity.