Who is this going to hurt?

They named the city Dan, after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was formally Laish. Then the Danites set up the idol for themselves. Jonathon son of Gershom, son of Moses and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the time the land went into captivity. So they maintained as their own Micah's idol that he had made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. Judges 18: 29-31 NRSV

Sometimes we think the evil or sinful things we do only effect ourselves. Mistakes we make or poor decisions, only have consequences for us alone (so we say). "Who is this going to hurt?" "Why should I deny myself when it has nothing to do with anyone else?""I'm just doing this this one time."

Yet, Micah's actions have effected not just his household but the tribe of Dan as well as the people of Laish, not to mention God. He stole the silver, his mother made the idol as an act of forgiveness, Micah chose to set it up and got his son to be his priest. When the Levite came along, Micah included him in the sinful activity. The Levite told the five spies that God was going to bless their military campaign. The Danites then took the idol and the priest and proceeded to slaughter the unsuspecting people of Laish. Now the Danites and the priest are setting up a blasphemous house of God which will have consequences for future generations.

Stealing silver has become blasphemous tribal worship.

God disappears from the picture at each decision or action.

One small sin can have tremendous consequences.

God, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: For what are you asking God for forgiveness?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims