Podcasts about danites

The book of Judges ends with two horrible stories that reveal the distance Israel had fallen. The people rescued from slavery and brought into relationship with Yahweh became people so entrenched in their sin and idolatry that they didn’t even realize they were worshiping different gods. The story of Micah, his idols, the personal priest, and the Danites is just bizarre. More important, it is the anti-Exodus and Joshua. In those stories, God rescues Israel from slavery, forms them as a people, gives them priests and leaders, and then gives them the Promised Land. This crazy story is laden with so many images from Israel’s redemption story, but every image is upside down and opposite God’s rescue story. This is always what happens to people who reject Jesus as King and do right in their own eyes. False worship and spirituality will lead people to believe they are spiritual and right while actually abandoning everything Christ represents. So, we must let our worship be defined by the true character of God and the means of grace He has given us to truly worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Today we follow two stories of betrayal with Samson and Delilah and Micah and the Levite. Fr. Mike also explains why Judges is the best example of how God can use broken people to do his will. The reading are Judges 16-18 and Psalm 147. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

This episode uncovers the history of the secretive Danite group in early Mormonism and contrasts their use of intimidation and violence with the radically different way of Jesus, whose kingdom advances through truth, not force.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now--In this episode, we explore a little-known chapter of early Mormon history: the rise of the Danites, a secret group formed in 1838 during the Missouri conflict. Recently published historical documents have confirmed that this group existed and operated as a kind of paramilitary society within early Mormonism, using secret oaths and intimidation to silence dissenters—even other Mormons.We also examine how religious movements can drift when loyalty to leaders begins to outweigh commitment to truth and biblical principles. Looking at passages like 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 and John 18:36, the episode contrasts the violent methods used by the Danites with the way of Jesus, whose kingdom advances not through force but through truth, humility, and sacrificial love.Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that God's kingdom doesn't need secrecy, intimidation, or violence to advance. Jesus didn't ask for secret oaths or blind allegiance—He gave His life so that people could be free and walk in the light of truth.

Polygamists, Danites, and guns! The Italian cowboy hero Tex has met with them all over the course of more than 75 years of comic book stories. But the portrayal of Mormons in the series has changed significantly, as presented by Michael Homer in this episode. https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SLP-209.mp3

Polygamists, Danites, and guns! The Italian cowboy hero Tex has met with them all over the course of more than 75 years of comic book stories. But the portrayal of Mormons in the series has changed significantly, as presented by Michael Homer in this episode.

February 15, 2026Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.  Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean,  for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines.  Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”  His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.  Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.  Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes.After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.Big Idea: God's story of deliverance doesn't end with defeat or death, so we must live into our powerless posture to reveal the grace of God.

Send us a textStart with a simple question: how does a nation forget its King? We walk through Judges like a crime scene, tagging the small compromises that compound into cultural collapse—then we watch God work anyway, often through people we wouldn't pick. It's raw, uncomfortable, and surprisingly hopeful.We begin with Ehud, the left-handed assassin whose messy tactics free an oppressed people, and ask what it means for God to use flawed agents when honor has gone missing. From there we track Abimelech's bloody climb—funded by others' fear and convenience—and explore how a community that wants “one ruler to fix it” often invites a thornbush that burns it down. Gideon's mixed legacy shows how pious words can hide abdication, and why leadership without obedience breeds leaders who love power more than truth.Jephthah's vow brings the hardest questions. We unpack the three primary readings—literal sacrifice, exile, and lifelong temple devotion—and focus on the core warning: rash bargains with God can destroy the very future we hoped to secure. Micah's household idols and a Levite-for-hire reveal syncretism that looks spiritual but is built on self. When the Danites scale up that compromise, the rot goes national. Along the way, we highlight biblical typology—from donkeys as symbols of noble peace to echoes of earlier stories—that points beyond failed judges to a different kind of King.The book's darkest scene—the Levite's concubine—mirrors Sodom to show how far things have fallen. Outrage arrives late and explodes into civil war. Our takeaway isn't nostalgia; it's repentance. Teach the next generation what God has done. Refuse syncretism even when it pays. Choose character over charisma. Start with your home, your church, and your block, and trust God to work through imperfect people while we keep our allegiance clear. If this conversation nudged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and tell us: which story in Judges hits closest to home and why?Support the show

We find out more about the state of the nation of Israel without a Godly leader. The Danites are still searching for a place to settle, and some Benjamites perpetrate a horrific crime. Judges 17:1-13; 18:1-28; 19:30. #everydaychristians

While some Bible stories surprise us, they all help us understand more about God and His plan! Discover how God was faithful to redeem the tribe of Dan and all of Israel with special guest and archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer.  Receive So much of Dan's story leaves us saying “That's not the way it's supposed to be.” From his troubling conception to the Danites forced migration, this tribe does things their own way, mixing legitimate devotion to God with misguided methods of worshipping and serving Him. But ultimately, Dan, his family, and his city set the stage for the coming of the One who redeems all things into the way they should be.    Reflect Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? Genesis 30:1-6 Deuteronomy 27:11-13 Judges 5:17 Judges 1:34 Judges 13:1 Judges 17:1-18 Judges 18:3-10 Judges 18:27-19:1 Dan's conception began with his mother taking matters into her own hands (from Genesis 30:1-6). In what ways might you be taking a matter in your life into your own hands? Micah wanted to seek God but he didn't involve God in the process (from Judges 17:1-18). In what ways might you be seeking God without involving Him? The Danites worshipped the true God but they did it in a false way (from Judges 18:3-10). In what ways might you be trying to worship God but miss Him in the process?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Jesus, help me seek You and find You and worship You with the right motivations. Show me when I may be getting off track following You with the wrong motivations, and lead me to stay on track.”   Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   Listen: My Three Sons   Am I That Hard to Love?  Read: Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking  Redemption's Hope   Watch: A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew  Loving Those Who've Fallen Away   

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 18:30-31. And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up Micah's carved image that he made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. — Judges 18:30-31 The tribe of Dan ends their story with idols, not inheritance. They set up a fake priesthood, a false religion, and call it "faith." It looked spiritual—but it was hollow. Everything they built was founded on force, not faith; ritual, not repentance. What began as one man's compromise became a tribe's tradition—and a nation's decay. And that's exactly where we stand today. We've kept the symbols of faith but lost the substance. We sing about Jesus but live as if His Word no longer defines truth. We've traded repentance for relevance and holiness for acceptance. The signs are flashing, and time is running short. Our culture isn't collapsing because evil is stronger—it's collapsing because truth is weaker. The light has dimmed. The Church has grown quiet. We've learned to tolerate what we should confront and bless what we should repent of. But this is not the time to coast. It's time to come back. Not next year. Not after things "settle down." Now. Because a nation that forgets God doesn't lose Him overnight—it loses Him one compromise at a time. The tribe of Dan thought they secured their future, but they only secured their judgment. And if we keep drifting from the truth, we'll do the same. God is calling His people. It's time to return to the Lord while there's still time. ASK THIS: What signs of drift do you see in your own heart or church? How can you personally help call others back to truth? What step of repentance could you take today? DO THIS: Pray daily this week for revival—in your heart, home, and church. Speak truth where others have grown silent. PRAY THIS: Lord, wake us up. Stir Your people to repent, return, and rebuild on truth. Let revival start in me—and spread before it's too late. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Revive Us Again."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 18:25-29. And the people of Dan said to him, "Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household." Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home. But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it. And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first. — Judges 18:25-29 The Danites finally get what they wanted—a city, a priest, and a name. From the outside, it looks like triumph. But it's all built on theft and deceit. They conquered Laish not through faith, but through force. God never told them to take this land. They took it because it was easy. They called it "God's will," but it was just willpower. That's how sin disguises itself: it borrows the language of faith to bless the work of the flesh. The Danites built a city on the illusion of success. But anything built on disobedience will eventually collapse. We have all done this: We push instead of pray. We manipulate instead of trusting. We use strength, strategy, and spin to get what we want—and then call it God's blessing. But real victory never comes by force. It comes by faith. Faith waits when force demands. Faith obeys when ambition rushes. Faith surrenders when pride insists. The tribe of Dan won a city—but lost its way. Don't lose your way, do things God's way. ASK THIS: Where have you been pushing by force instead of walking by faith? Have you ever mistaken human success for God's blessing? What would it look like to stop striving and start trusting? How can you rebuild what's been done your way, God's way? DO THIS: Pause before your next decision—ask, "Am I forcing this, or is God leading it?" Read Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." PRAY THIS: Lord, keep me from building by force what You've called me to build by faith. I don't want hollow victories or false success—only what's done in Your strength and truth. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Wait On You."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. And Merry Christmas to you all. Our text today is Judges 18:21-24. So they turned and departed, putting the little ones and the livestock and the goods in front of them. When they had gone a distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called out, and they overtook the people of Dan. And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, "What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?" And he said, "You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, 'What is the matter with you?'" — Judges 18:21-24 The Danites march away from Micah's house with his idols, his priest, and his faith-for-hire religion. Micah chases after them and shouts, "What's the matter with you?" It's the right question — but no one in this story has the courage to answer it. The Danites should've said, "Our cowardice." They were too afraid to claim the land God gave them, so they stole what belonged to others. Disobedience bred desperation, and cowardice turned into theft. The Levite should've said, "My ambition." He left Micah's house not because of conviction, but because the job offer was better — more people, more influence, more recognition. His ministry was a career move, not a calling. But neither the Danites nor the Levite can face their sin. So when Micah asks, "What's the matter with you?" they flip it back: "What's the matter with you?" That's what sin always does — it deflects instead of reflects. We do the same thing. When confronted, we defend. And we say, "I'm just under a lot of stress." When corrected, we justify. And we say, "At least I'm not as bad as them." When convicted, we rationalize. And we say, "God knows my heart." But the heart is exactly where the problem lies. Like the Danites, our disobedience starts small — fear, laziness, pride — until it grows into actions we can't explain or admit. And like the Levite, ambition can masquerade as ministry until the applause becomes louder than obedience. But the question still stands: What is the matter with you? This question is not intended to shame you, but to awaken you. To make you stop running long enough to face what's hiding in your heart. Because until you name the sin, you'll keep defending it. The Danites justified their sin all the way into idolatry. But God calls us all to something better: to stop deflecting and start repenting. ASK THIS: When was the last time you blamed someone else instead of owning your sin? What's harder for you to confront—cowardice or ambition? Have you ever used "spiritual" excuses to justify disobedience? How can confession restore courage and integrity in your life today? DO THIS: Ask the Spirit to reveal one area of your life where you've been justifying sin. Write down the excuses you've used to defend it—then confess them one by one. Replace justification with repentance. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me stop deflecting and start confessing. Reveal the cowardice or ambition hiding in my heart, and give me the courage to face it with repentance and faith. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Refiner."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. And Merry Christmas to you all. Our text today is Judges 18:11-20. So 600 men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol, and went up and encamped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. On this account that place is called Mahaneh-dan to this day; behold, it is west of Kiriath-jearim. And they passed on from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah. Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish said to their brothers, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? Now therefore consider what you will do." And they turned aside there and came to the house of the young Levite, at the home of Micah, and asked him about his welfare. Now the 600 men of the Danites, armed with their weapons of war, stood by the entrance of the gate. And the five men who had gone to scout out the land went up and entered and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image, while the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the 600 men armed with weapons of war. And when these went into Micah's house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?" And they said to him, "Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?" And the priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people. — Judges 18:11-20 The Danites raid Micah's house—not for gold, not for land, but for religion. They take his idols, his ephod, and even his priest. They want everything that looks spiritual—but none of what demands surrender. This is the heart of false faith. It wants the blessing of belief without the burden of obedience. They want a god they can move, not one who moves them. They want a priest who blesses, not one who confronts. They want the look of religion without the Lord of righteousness. It's the same impulse alive today. We still crave the symbols of faith without submitting to it. We want a baby christened—but not a child discipled. We want a church wedding—but not a marriage that honors God. We want a pastor to conduct our funeral—but not a life spent following Christ. We want faith that makes us feel covered—but never changed. This is why false religion is so attractive: it offers comfort without conviction, community without accountability, and symbols without sanctification. It gives you everything except transformation. The Danites carried off the priest and the idols, thinking they'd secured God's favor. But they weren't following God—they were franchising a fake religion. Don't turn faith in God into a performance of externals. Don't settle for "religious moments" in place of regular obedience. God doesn't want your religious props and symbols; he wants all of you. He is here not to tag along but to transform you. ASK THIS: Where have you settled for symbols instead of surrender? Do you display faith publicly but resist obedience privately? What modern "idols" have you borrowed to make faith feel easier? How can you move from religious performance to real pursuit of God this week? DO THIS: Ask God to expose any area where you've kept religion but lost relationship. Read 2 Timothy 3:5: "Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." Replace outward habits with inward devotion—prayer, confession, and obedience. Live today as if God's presence, not your performance, is what defines your faith. PRAY THIS: Lord, save me from the trap of empty religion. I don't want symbols of faith; I want surrender. Strip away anything that looks spiritual but keeps me from true obedience to You. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Christ Be Magnified."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Scott Kacos and family. Thank you so much for partnering with us on Project23. We cannot do this without you. This is for you today. Our text today is Judges 18:7-10. Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing that is in the earth and possessing wealth, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. And when they came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers said to them, "What do you report?" They said, "Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land. As soon as you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people. The land is spacious, for God has given it into your hands, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth."— Judges 18:7-10 The Danite scouts find Laish—a city that looks perfect. Peaceful. Prosperous. Secure. Everything their own land was not. And they instantly assume, "God has given it into our hands." But notice—there's no record of prayer, no word from the Lord, and no evidence of obedience in the moments leading up to this. They mistake opportunity for confirmation. They see abundance and assume it's God's blessing. But it's fake faith—faith built on feelings, not on truth. This is how counterfeit obedience works. It looks spiritual, it sounds hopeful, but it's driven by convenience and comfort, not conviction. Remember, the Danites didn't want to fight the Amorites for the land God gave them in Joshua 19. They wanted the easy win, and this was it. Easy victories frequently lead to empty lives. We do the same when we chase the "Laish" in front of us: The job that pays more but pulls us from church. The relationship that feels good but bends God's truth.| The comfort that whispers, "This has to be right, it's working." But not everything that looks right is righteous. Sometimes what looks like God's favor is just avoidance in disguise. When our faith loses its fight, it starts settling for false flags. And the Danites here traded commands for the convenient conquest—and then called it compliance. Real faith does not do this. It never chases comfort; it counts on God even when the command is challenging. ASK THIS: Where have you confused convenience with God's calling? What's your "Laish"—the easy path that tempts you to compromise? Have you been mistaking peace for permission? How can you return to the ground God actually called you to claim? DO THIS: Identify one area where comfort has replaced conviction. Choose faithfulness over feelings this week—even if it costs you ease. PRAY THIS: Lord, forgive me for chasing comfort and calling it faith. Teach me to obey You when the way is hard and to trust You when the road isn't easy. Give me real faith—not imitation peace. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Trust In God."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 18:2-6. So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, "Go and explore the land." And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. When they were by the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young Levite. And they turned aside and said to him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?" And he said to them, "This is how Micah dealt with me: he has hired me, and I have become his priest." And they said to him, "Inquire of God, please, that we may know whether the journey on which we are setting out will succeed." And the priest said to them, "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord." — Judges 18:2-6 The Danite scouts stop by Micah's house, meet his Levite-for-hire, and ask three questions that sound curious but expose their compromise: "Who brought you here?" "What are you doing in this place?" "Why are you here?" Not one of those questions mentions God. They're interested in Micah, not in God. It's a spiritual conversation with no Spirit in it. If this Levite had been faithful, he would have responded very differently: You would go where God sends, not where you choose. You wouldn't stay in a house filled with idols. You would claim the land God already gave you, not shop for easy pickings. But instead, the Levite answers, "Micah has done these things for me." Not "God brought me." Not "I serve the Lord." Just "Micah." His allegiance—and his paycheck—come from the same source. The Danites and the Levite both prove the same point: they're using spiritual language to hide spiritual rebellion. The Levite blesses their mission; they leave feeling "confirmed." But it's all self-validation dressed up in spiritual garb. We do the same when we call it "discernment," but it's really rationalization. When we pray, not to surrender, but to get reassurance. When we say, "God's got this," but never ask if God is sending us. Faith without conviction always drifts toward convenience. And convenience disguised as faith is still disobedience. ASK THIS: Are you seeking God's will—or His approval of your will? Have you ever asked God to bless what He never called you to do? Where have you replaced obedience with rationalization? Who in your life tells you truth instead of what you want to hear? DO THIS: Pause before your next big decision—ask, "Is this obedience or convenience?" Read Proverbs 3:5–6 and invite God to redirect you. Seek counsel from someone who tells you truth, not comfort. PRAY THIS: Lord, forgive me for blessing my own plans in Your name. Teach me to ask Your questions, listen for Your answers, and follow where You lead. Amen. PLAY THIS: "What I Needed."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is Judges 18:1. In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them. — Judges 18:1 The story of the tribe of Dan is one of lost conviction. Dan had already been given land by God—its boundaries clearly marked in Joshua 19:40–48. But Judges 1:34–36 tells us why they never possessed it: they were driven back by the Amorites. Instead of standing firm in faith, they retreated to the hills. They settled for survival rather than fighting for obedience. Now, in Judges 18, decades later, they're still wandering—looking for "an inheritance" that was already theirs. It wasn't that God failed to provide. It was that they failed to believe, obey, and act with conviction. This is the ripple effect of cowardly leadership. When men and women stop living with conviction, they begin living by convenience. What should've been conquered through faith now becomes a lifetime of compromise. That's the Danite story—and sadly, it's ours too. We do the same when we abandon the ground God has already called us to stand on. We know what's right, but we don't want the conflict that comes with it. We back off, blend in, or look for easier paths. And every time we do, we lose spiritual territory that God already gave us to possess. The Danites didn't need new land—they needed renewed faith. They didn't need to search for an easier inheritance—they needed to fight for the one God already promised. This is what happens when conviction dies. Faith becomes flexible. Truth becomes negotiable. The mission becomes manageable. And before long, we're not following God anymore—we're following comfort. Sound familiar? We see it in families that won't confront sin, churches that bend to culture, and believers who settle for peace over purity. Every compromise we tolerate today becomes the conflict we inherit tomorrow. The Danites' failure to lead with conviction didn't just cost them land—it cost them legacy. When God gives a calling, the only right response is courageous obedience. Anything less invites compromise. ASK THIS: Where in your life have you chosen convenience over conviction? What "land" or area of obedience has God already called you to claim? How does fear of conflict keep you from living with conviction? What would courageous faith look like in that area today? DO THIS: Identify one area of your life where you've retreated instead of standing firm. Read Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Reclaim that ground in prayer and obedience today—don't keep wandering where God already gave you victory. Commit this week to act from conviction, not convenience. PRAY THIS: Lord, forgive me for backing away from battles You've already called me to win. Give me courage to stand, conviction to obey, and faith to take hold of the promises You've already given. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Battle Belongs."

In addition to the Phoenicians, the Philistines were a seagoing people that influenced the tribe of Dan.  Archaeology and DNA confirm that the Philistines were descendants of people who had lived on Crete.  A closer look at Greek mythology shows vestigial remnants of actual historical events and people with links to the Danites. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D., All Rights Reserved

Welcome to Part 23 of our Joseph Smith the Podcast series with Dr. John G. Turner. Today we are continuing our discussion of Chapter 19 of his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet” that covers the years 1838-1839 in Missouri.Today we will dive deeper into one of the most volatile and consequential moments in early Latter-day Saint history: the escalating conflict between the Mormon settlers and the Missourians in the late 1830s. In this episode, we examine how political tensions, misinformation, vigilante actions, and religious absolutism collided to create a crisis that would lead to the infamous extermination order and some of the darkest events of the Mormon-Missouri War.We explore the political landscape of Missouri, Joseph Smith's rising militancy, the Danites, the allegations made by Thomas Marsh and Orson Hyde, the tragedy at Haun's Mill, and the forces that brought both sides to the brink. From mob violence to theological justifications, from desperate settlers to governors refusing to intervene, this chapter shows how a religious movement and a frontier state found themselves locked in a spiral neither could escape.If you've been following the series, this episode continues directly from Part 22 and sets the stage for the next chapter: Liberty Jail.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

In this episode, we uncover the hidden world of Mormonism — from Joseph Smith's treasure-digging origins and Brigham Young's desert theocracy to the Danites, Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the modern LDS empire fueled by billion-dollar investment arms, political pipelines, Freemasonic roots, and a counterfeit gospel that shapes everything they do. We follow the threads through theology, secrecy, Israel connections, government over-representation, and financial power to reveal the complete picture behind the polished missionary smile.In the second half of the podcast, Bill Schnoebelen's classic Prophecy Club lecture, What Is Wrong With Mormonism, dives into the hidden doctrines, temple rituals, and occult roots of the LDS Church from the perspective of a former insider. Drawing on his firsthand experience and research, Schnoebelen exposes the Masonic foundations, false revelations, and spiritual dangers embedded in the system that most missionaries never reveal at your door—a perfect companion to tonight's deep dive.Email: thefacthunter@mail.comShow Notes:BYU Jerusalem Centerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BYU_Jerusalem_CenterMoriah and the Mormon Leadershiphttps://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/bloodlines/mormon.htmEzra Taft Bensonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Taft_Benson

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Andrew Leck from Rosehill, KS. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 13:2-3 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son." — Judges 13:2-3 In Israel's darkest moment, God zeroed in on a barren woman from an obscure tribe. She had no children, no status, and no future by cultural standards. Yet it's here that the angel of the Lord appeared, promising not only a son but a son who would begin to save Israel from the Philistines. This is God's pattern throughout Scripture: He delights in breaking into barren, hopeless places—Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth—and now Manoah's wife. Where human strength fails, divine power shines through. We all know what "barrenness" feels like. It may not be a womb, but it could be a dream that won't come alive, a marriage that feels stuck, a career that's dried up, or a prayer that seems unanswered. Barrenness whispers to us all, "Nothing will ever change." But God specializes in stepping into impossible situations. He doesn't just comfort us in our emptiness—He often uses it as the very stage to display his power. That's what he did here: from a barren woman came Samson, a deliverer. And from another barren womb centuries later came Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer. Never despise those barren seasons. They may be the very soil where God plants his greatest miracles in your lives. Instead of despairing, bring your barrenness to him in prayer today—write it down, speak it out, and surrender it. Hope grows when we put our barrenness into his hands. ASK THIS: Where do I feel barren or hopeless in life right now? Do I believe God can step into that place with power? How can I shift from despair to expectation in my prayers? DO THIS: Write down one area of life that feels barren. Instead of hiding it, bring it before God in prayer today, asking Him to show His power in what feels impossible. PRAY THIS: Lord, meet me in the barren places of my life. Where I see hopelessness, bring Your promise. Where I see emptiness, bring Your power. Help me trust that You can do the impossible. Amen. PLAY THIS: "We Need A Miracle."

Welcome back for Part 22 of our Joseph Smith the Podcast series with Dr. John G. Turner as we continue to cover his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”In this episode, we explore one of the most controversial and lesser-known chapters in early Latter-day Saint history –the rise of the Danites, a secretive paramilitary organization formed during the turbulent Missouri period of 1838.We trace tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons escalated into organized violence, how Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and other church leaders responded, and what this meant for the future of the Latter-day Saint movement. Along the way, we discuss excommunications, failed settlements, political conflicts, and the enduring question: Did Joseph Smith authorize the Danites' violent actions?This is the first half of Chapter 19 of the book, covering the years 1838-1839 in Missouri –where “Zion” collided with the American frontier.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

In Judges 18, the tribe of Dan seeks land to possess, as they had not yet secured their inheritance. They send spies who discover the peaceful city of Laish, vulnerable and unprotected. The Danites seize the opportunity, but along the way they steal Micah's idol, ephod, and priest, showing Israel's drift into idolatry. In the end, they capture Laish, rename it Dan, and set up the graven image — a warning of how far God's people had turned from Him. ⚡ It's a chapter about restlessness, misplaced worship, and the danger of seeking security outside of God's will. #Judges18 #BookOfJudges #BibleStudy #Idolatry #FaithLessons #FalseInheritance #SendMeRadio #BiblicalWarning #ScriptureReflection #GodsWordBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

“They shall go hindmost with their standards.” — Numbers 2:31 The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but what mattered the position, since they were as truly part of the host as were the foremost tribes; they followed the […]

Send us a textWelcome to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Today, we're looking at Judges 18 — a sobering account of how a whole tribe, the Danites, slowly walked away from the Lord. This isn't just a story of ancient idolatry; it's a powerful warning about what happens when God's people stop trusting His Word and start crafting a religion that suits their own desires. From misplaced trust to spiritual shortcuts, the story of Dan holds up a mirror to our own lives. Let's walk through this passage together — and ask: Are we truly walking with God, or just going through the motions?Summary: In this episode, we follow the tragic path of the tribe of Dan as they forsake God's promise and pursue their own plan. Instead of claiming their God-given inheritance, they seek out easier alternatives — and end up embracing idolatry. Through their journey, we see the subtle danger of drifting from the Lord, the consequences of compromised worship, and the challenge to return to genuine trust and obedience.Key Verse:“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” — Judges 18:1Takeaway: True worship isn't about convenience or appearance — it's about obedience, trust, and the real presence of God. If you've wandered, there's still time to return.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

BOOK OF JUDGES Strength Without Surrender 6.22.25 Judges 13:1-5 ESV “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” Even a divine calling can be undermined by human pride. Judges 14:1-3 ESV “Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes. Gifting is not the same as godliness. A divine gifting can be undermined by selfish ambitions! Isolation becomes the soil where compromise grows. Judges 16:20 ESV “And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” What you refuse to surrender will eventually rule over you.

The sad and disgraceful record of our two chapters is one of the 2 appendices to the time of the judges and occurred in Judges. The events described happened quite early in that 450 year period, at the epoch when the elders who had outlived Joshua were all dead. It is the prequel to the Samson record described in chapters 13-16. These chapters explain both the apostasy commenced by the tribe of Dan and the reasons why many of the faithful Danites did not move to the territory that was conquered by the ambitious and ruthless leaders of the tribe, against the laid back Zidonians. The story begins at the time of Moses' grandson, whose name was changed by a scribe in the AV, to protect the reputation and esteem in which Moses was held. However the ESV tells us in 18 verse 30 that it was Jonathan the son of Gershom the son of Moses, rather than an unnamed Levite mentioned in Judges 17verse 7. Micah's mother is a dishonest idolater who congratulates her son for confessing his theft and then his mother changes the terms of her vow. Such was the morality of those days when everyone did what was right in their own eyes ie each person was the arbiter of what was right to him, or her. Chapter 18 describes the morality of the majority of the tribe of Dan who are prepared to kidnap Jonathan the Levite. They were prepared to slaughter the enraged men of Micah's centre of idol worship. Then they slaughtered the peaceful people of a city, 17 kilometres to the east of the Zidonian coast, rather than obey the commandment of the LORD to destroy the Canaanites and take their allotted inheritance. In that place the Danites commence the apostacy that resulted in the calf worship in Dan many centuries later in the days of Jeroboam 1 of Israel.

Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Micah, Mom, and the Danites: Godly or Godless? Part 2 Series: Judges Scripture: Judges 17 & 18 Episode: 1260

Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Micah, Mom, and the Danites: Godly or Godless? Part 1 Series: Judges Scripture: Judges 17 & 18 Episode: 1259

Summary of Judges 18:In Judges 18, the tribe of Dan is still seeking a homeland. They send five spies who find the peaceful city of Laish. On the way, they discover a man named Micah who has a shrine, an idol, and a Levite priest. The Danites later return with 600 men, steal Micah's idols, and convince the priest to come with them. They attack Laish, burn it, and rebuild it as "Dan." They set up the idol, and Jonathan, a descendant of Moses, becomes their priest. This chapter highlights Israel's moral confusion during the time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."Your words were found and I ate them

Today we follow two stories of betrayal with Samson and Delilah and Micah and the Levite. Fr. Mike also explains why Judges is the best example of how God can use broken people to do his will. The reading are Judges 16-18 and Psalm 147. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Ruth Granlund • Judges 17:1–18:31 • Sermon Notes (Lesson | Lesson | Video) • Every Woman's Grace

Ruth Granlund • Judges 17:1–18:31 • Sermon Notes (Lesson | Lesson | Video)

Ruth Granlund • Judges 17:1–18:31 • Sermon Notes (Lesson | Lesson | Video) • Every Woman's Grace

It's time for part 2 of our Death Penalty series! Since this is a Mormon podcast, we first look into the history of Mormons and the death penalty. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young both ordered assassinations and fostered environments where random acts of violence became inevitable. The State of Deseret, Utah, has a comparatively bloody, theocratic history. Then we take a broader view of religion and capital punishment. After that, we look into the ethics/morals of capital punishment and give you a look at the Innocence project. We wrap by discussing your responses from Survey #1 as well as our own viewpoints on the subject.   Survey #2: After listening to these episodes, we'd like to hear if your insights or opinions have changed and how. https://forms.gle/Vjn48xzWgCWcJR8r8  Show Notes:  Trump v United States: Oral argument on the former president's immunity claim: https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/trump-v-united-states-oral-argument-on-the-former-presidents-immunity-claim/640481 23-939 Trump v United States (7/1/2024) https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf Account of hearing between circa 3 and 9 June 1837 state of Ohio v Joseph Smith for threatening to take life: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/account-of-hearing-between-circa-3-and-9-june-1837-state-of-ohio-v-js-for-threatening-to-take-life/1#facts Joseph, in the Elder's Journal, discusses the Kirtland  Bank and Warren Parrish and Grandison Newell's charges against hi: https://bhroberts.org/records/5tcqZf-vSQSfc/joseph_in_the_elders_journal_discusses_the_kirtland_bank_and_warren_parrish_and_grandison_newells_charges_against_him  Orson Hyde, Life lessons learned: https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-3-no-2-2002/orson-hyde-life-lessons-learned  Danites: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/danites  Danite Manifesto: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Danite_Manifesto The Danite Constitution and Theories of Democratic Justice in Frontier America: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5074&context=byusq   Journal of Mormon History Vol 30, No. 2, 2004: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=mormonhistory General Smith's views of the powers and policy of the government of the United States circa 26 January - 7 February 1844: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/general-smiths-views-of-the-powers-and-policy-of-the-government-of-the-united-states-circa-26-january-7-february-1844/12#full-transcript Journal of Mormon History Vol 33, No 1, 2007: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=mormonhistory   The Coming Storm: The murder of Jesse Thompson Hartley: https://user.xmission.com/~research/mormonpdf/storm.pdf  The wound the never healed: https://www.prestopreservation.com/uploads/5/2/5/3/52533793/morrisite_story_small.pdf  Official position on capital punishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/capital-punishment    The Movement to Abolish Capital Punishment in America 1787-1861: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1847110?read-now=1&seq=8 “Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caedite_eos._Novit_enim_Dominus_qui_sunt_eius. The convict's visitor: or, Penitential offices, (in the ancient way of liturgy) consisting of prayers, lessons, and meditations; with suitable devotions before, and at the time of execution. : [Four lines from Luke] / By William Smith, A.M. Rector of Trinity Church in Newport: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=evans;cc=evans;rgn=main;view=text;idno=N18328.0001.001    Arguments for and against the death penalty “Under sentence of death”: The movement to abolish capital punishment in Massachusetts: https://www.jstor.org/stable/366478?read-now=1&seq=7  The 2% death penalty: Press Release: https://www.jstor.org/stable/366478?read-now=1&seq=7 10 facts about the death penalty in the U.S.: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/07/19/10-facts-about-the-death-penalty-in-the-u-s/  The Death Penalty — Your questions answered: https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/death-penalty/the-death-penalty-your-questions-answered/  Death penalty issues: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Death_Penalty/Issues  10 reasons why the death penalty is wrong:  https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/why-death-penalty-is-wrong/  Arguments for and against the death penalty: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/high-school/about-the-death-penalty/arguments-for-and-against-the-death-penalty  Death penalty debate: https://www.britannica.com/procon/death-penalty-debate    John Brown:  John Brown: The First American to Hang for Treason: https://werehistory.org/john-brown/  John Brown (abolitionist): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)  John Brown a Biography: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-brown  A Look Back at John Brown: https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2011/spring/brown.html  Bleeding Kansas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding_Kansas  Pottawatomie Massacre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottawatomie_massacre  John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown%27s_raid_on_Harpers_Ferry  John Brown's Provisional Constitution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown%27s_Provisional_Constitution  The Rosenberg's  Historical Federal Executions:  https://www.usmarshals.gov/who-we-are/history/historical-reading-room/historical-federal-executions  Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_and_Ethel_Rosenberg  Atom Spy Case/Rosenbergs: https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/atom-spy-caserosenbergs  The Rosenberg Trial: teacher handout: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.fjc.gov/sites/default/files/trials/Rosenberg%20Teacher%20Handout.pdf  Espionage Act of 1917: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage_Act_of_1917  The Origins of the Espionage Act of 1917: Was Judge Learned Hand's Understanding of the Act Defensible? By Geoffrey R Stone: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=13818&context=journal_articles Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 (1917-1918):https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/espionage-act-of-1917-and-sedition-act-of-1918-1917-1918   The Espionage Act's constitutional legacy: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-espionage-acts-constitutional-legacy  Hi-Fi Murders Hi-Fi Murders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-Fi_murders  How the Hi-Fi Murders changed life in Ogden: https://www.abc4.com/news/top-stories/how-the-hi-fi-murders-changed-life-in-ogden/    Innocence Project: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/policy/innocence  Public Officials and Advocates Respod to SCOTUS' Decision to Overturn Richard Glossip's Conviction: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/public-officials-and-advocates-respond-to-scotus-decision-to-overturn-richard-glossips-conviction  RIchard Glossip: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Glossip  Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism: Speaking of Cults … Mormonism is a Compliance Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCeW3jvP-RE&t=2973s    Other links:  Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod  Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social  Other BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bryceblankenagel.bsky.social  and https://bsky.app/profile/shannongrover.bsky.social   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/  Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com  Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10  

This chapter highlights the how the Danites took land and established a new religious system.

What are the connections between freemasonry & the LDS Temple endowment? Cheryl Bruno discusses the latest findings in her book "Method Infinite." Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/hq9qe90sirA Don't miss our other conversations with Chery!  https://gospeltangents.com/people/cheryl-bruno/ transcript to follow 0:00 Is Freemasonry Tied to Polygamy? (Method Infinite) 4:48 Did Joseph Rip off Freemasonry? 15:26 Did Joseph Restore Something that Never Existed? 18:20 Danites in Kirtland? 20:45 Masonic Elements in Kirtland 22:15 Too Much Masonry in Cheryl's Book? 23:54 Were Masons Mad That Joseph Let Women be Masons? 30:54 Masonic Involvement in Joseph's Murder 35:01 Gallatin Election Battle Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

We continue to follow the references where Bethlehemjudah leads covering two more stories in the the Book of Judges about Micah and the Danites conquest of Laish, (Dan). We cover the biblical definitions of graven and molten images, an ephod … Continue reading →

Judges 17-18

Veteran missionary, Pastor Dan Bushy, teaches about the story of the tribe of Dan.

“They shall go hindmost with their standards.” — Numbers 2:31 The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but what mattered the position, since they were as truly part of the host as were the foremost tribes; they followed the […]

Daily Dose of Hope July 10, 2024 Day 4 of Week 15   Scripture:  Judges 17-18; Psalm 21; Acts 1   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope!  Tonight, we have a special short worship service in the sanctuary at 6:30pm.  Our VBS families are invited as well as all of New Hope.   After the service, there will be a scavenger hunt in the social hall.  For those who would like to come and pray, I'll be leading the prayer group as we pray over every single pew and all the VBS classrooms.  We want to pray for each family, each child, each person touched by our VBS so that they come to know Jesus and find a place to worship him.   Okay, let's get started with the book of Judges, chapter 17.  This chapter includes an odd story in the middle of the book of Judges about an unnamed Jewish family living in the hill country of Ephraim.  On the surface, the family seems devout, even God-fearing.  But as the story progresses, problems begin to emerge.  The Jewish family seems to follow the Lord.  The son's name, Micah, even means "Who is like God?"  But right away, we see cracks in their faithfulness.    Micah is a thief who dishonors his mother by stealing her silver.  He steals 1100 shekels, which is a very large sum.  When he returns the silver, the mother says that she consecrates it to the Lord but there is no evidence this is done. She doesn't take the silver to the priests at the temple but rather gives it back to her son to make an idol. Note, only 200 shekels were given to the silversmith to make the idol; we don't know what happened to the remaining 900 shekels.    Idols are clearly against God's law, as is Micah's home shrine.  He also establishes his own son as priest over the shrine.  When a Levite man from elsewhere comes looking for a place to stay, Micah decides to pay him to be the family priest.  From the theft to having a family priest over a home shrine, the law is blatantly disobeyed.    What is the author trying to teach us through this story?  Why was it included in the book of Judges?  Certainly, we need to look below the spiritual veneer.  People and situations aren't always what they seem.  Faithfulness to God is best demonstrated through actions, not words.  While they may have professed faith in Yahweh, in everything this family did, they looked more pagan than Hebrew.  If an objective observer was peeking into your own life and home situation, what might they say about your faithfulness to God?   Okay, let's move on to chapter 18.  The Danites decide that they want their own land and they head off to conquer it.  But unlike other conquests in which God clearly went with his people, the Danites seem to be totally off kilter.  They are doing this on their own for their own selfish purposes.  They arrive at Micah's house (from Judges 17) and steal his priest and idols.  While they don't kill Micah's family, they do find a town to attack and pillage.  After burning down the town, they claim the area as belonging to them and rebuild the city.  They set up the idols stolen from Micah.  While they may have Israelite names, they have certainly sold their souls to Canaanite values.  There is effectively no difference between the Danites and their pagan neighbors.  They have turned their back on God.  And the saga of the judges continues.   Now, let's turn to the New Testament.  Today, we are starting the book of Acts, one of my favorite books of the Bible.  It's incredible to see how the Holy Spirit transforms, leads, directs, and shapes the new Christians and the young church.  Chapter one opens with Jesus ready to ascend into heaven.  Even though this is post-resurrection, the disciples still didn't understand everything.  We find them asking Jesus when he is going to restore the kingdom to Israel.  Their understanding of God's Kingdom is still a bit misguided, but Jesus redirects them.  He says only God knows the time and place for that.  But, there is something even better ahead.  And Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit is coming.  The Spirit of the living God is coming and when it does, they will receive a power like no other.  This is the same truth for us:  When God's Spirit comes upon us, we have the ability to  witness, to bear testimony, to all the things of Jesus.  It really isn't about us but about God's Spirit in us! And then, Jesus ascends into heaven.  They don't quite get it yet, but now it's a waiting game.  The Holy Spirit is coming and they have no idea what they are in for.  Tomorrow, we get to talk about Pentecost and the birthday of the church.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Micah, Mom, and the Danites: Godly or Godless? Part 2 Series: Judges Scripture: Judges 17 & 18 Episode: 1260

Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Micah, Mom, and the Danites: Godly or Godless? Part 1 Series: Judges Scripture: Judges 17 & 18 Episode: 1259

Doctrine & Covenants 119 directs Church members to pay essentially two tithings—the first tithing being a one-time donation of all of their surplus property (meaning whatever they don't have immediate need of), and the second tithing being an ongoing payment of one-tenth of what they would make in interest annually if they invested their total net worth at 6%. So, when did we shift in the Church away from the payment of tithing in that two-part way to the more general approach today of really only one type of tithe as 10% of our income? Also, who are the Danites and what role did they play in early tithing collection in Far West? Furthermore, how is it okay for some full-time Church leaders today to receive a financial stipend or allowance? Is that historically justified in the revelations and early practice of the Church? Also—related question—is it considered priestcraft for people to receive money for their efforts to build Zion?   Finally, after Joseph Smith's martyrdom, was there significant disagreement between Brigham Young and Emma Smith regarding Church financial assets? If so, what role did that play in their turbulent relationship over the next decades?  All of these questions and more coming your way on this episode of Church History Matters with Dr. Elizabeth Kuehn and a surprise guest we brought on last minute (we think you'll like him). For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/   

The team discusses controversial allegations of sexual impropriety against Joseph Smith and John C. Bennett in Nauvoo, the existence of the Danites as a violent vigilante group, Bennett's subsequent exposes of Mormonism after his excommunication, the succession crisis and various Mormon offshoots after Joseph Smith's death, and questions around the authenticity of Mormon truth claims such as the golden plates. There is debate around the accuracy of some historical sources, as well as acknowledgment that early Mormonism contained cult-like elements such as polygamy and unquestioning loyalty tests. Episode Show Notes _________________________ LDS Discussions is made possible by generous donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo LDS Discussions Platforms: LDS Discussions Website LDS Discussions Playlist on YouTube Contact LDS Discussions: Twitter: @ldsdicussions Facebook: @ldsdiscussion Insta: @ldsdiscussions Email: ldsdiscussions@gmail.com Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lds-discussions/message

The team discusses controversial allegations of sexual impropriety against Joseph Smith and John C. Bennett in Nauvoo, the existence of the Danites as a violent vigilante group, Bennett's subsequent exposes of Mormonism after his excommunication, the succession crisis and various Mormon offshoots after Joseph Smith's death, and questions around the authenticity of Mormon truth claims such as the golden plates. There is debate around the accuracy of some historical sources, as well as acknowledgment that early Mormonism contained cult-like elements such as polygamy and unquestioning loyalty tests. YouTube Link Episode Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Today we follow two stories of betrayal with Samson and Delilah and Micah and the Levite. Fr. Mike also explains why Judges is the best example of how God can use broken people to do his will. The reading are Judges 16-18 and Psalm 147. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.