Acts of faith on a poor foundation

Strength in numbers is not the same as strength through the power of God. 

When we meet the tribe of Dan in Judge 18, they have still not fully conquered their inheritance—despite possessing the second largest army of all of Israel’s tribes (Judg 18:1; Num 26:42). In fact, they lost their territory (Jos 19:47)!

By the end of the chapter, the Danites finally secure a city. A victory, it seems. Like their forefathers, they had spied out the land and appeared to have inquired of God. They seemed to have the makings of successful men of God. 

But the Danites merely looked godly. Their faith was one of convenience rather than reverence. 

God had been clear about where each tribe was to live, listing Dan’s territory in meticulous detail: “Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Jethlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the region near Joppa” (Jos 19:41-46).*

*The 5 spies from Judges 18 were from Zorah and Eshtaol; the Danite judge Samson was from Zorah; his Philistine wife was from Timnah (Judg 13:2, 14:1). 

Yet the tribe of Dan goes to Laish—also called Leshem—all the way to the north of Israel (refer to the maps below for a visual reference).

Instead of submitting to God’s plan and relying on Him to do it, they exploited a defenceless people and seized their land (Judg 18:7). Along the way, they consulted a corrupt priest-for-hire rather than the nearby tabernacle (Deut 12:5; Jos 18:1), stole Micah’s idols, threatened his life, and poached this priest as their tribe’s religious guide. 

To the undiscerning, the Danites seemed godly enough. They sought God’s help, made declarations of faith, and found religious guidance from the grandson of Moses (Judg 18:10, 30 ESV). And they did conquer some land, if not the land meant for them. Didn’t that mean God was with them?

But acts of faith mean nothing when built upon a foundation of disobedience to God. Rather than execute divine justice on the wicked who lived in their allotted land (Deut 9:5), the tribe murdered innocent people for their own gain. Their road to “success” was paved with sin.

The consequences were severe. For decades they would worship the idols they had stolen. Later, their city would become home to Jeroboam’s golden calf (1 Kgs 12:28-30). When John received his vision in Revelation and heard the number of those sealed from tribes of Israel, Dan was absent (Rev 7:4-8). The entire tribe no longer belonged to God. 

It’s easy to perform Christianity—to sing enthusiastically in church, pray in public, and bless others loudly—even when greed or ulterior motives lie beneath. The Danites’ warped godliness warns us on two fronts. Towards others, be discerning about “successes” and performative faith. When the road to “success” is paved with sin, it does not please God. For ourselves, let us pursue a godliness rooted not in appearance but sincerity, with total devotion of heart. 

Reflection questions

1. Where in your life are you settling for an “easier Laish” rather than trusting God to provide?

2. Can you think of a time when the outcome of something looked like success, but the path to get there compromised your faithfulness to God? What did you learn from it? 

3. The Danites’ disobedience shaped an entire tribe’s identity and faith for generations. How does your walk with God today carry weight beyond yourself?