The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 171

nttempt at restoring family peace by a compromise between selfish greed and religiouR devotion-200 shekels only are devoted to the image, and, though Micah had intended all to go to this object, the remaining 900 shekels are retained by the mother. 2. The same degradation of morality is seen in the unworthy conduct of the youni man. He shows no confidence in his mother. He thinks he can honour God with the proceeds of deception. It is only under a dark religion of superstition that we can suppose the end to justify the means-a sacrificial object to excuse domestic fraud. II. WHEN, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A WORLDLY SPIRIT, AVARICE IS UNRESTRAINED, RELIGION TENDS TO BINK INTO SUPERSTITION. Covetousness is idolatry (Col. iii. 5) The habi1t of setting the affections on earthly things blinds the soul to the perceptiO'll of pure 1 spiritual truth. This is seen in the story of Micah and his mother. 1. Micah displays a dread of his mother's curse, but no consciousness of guilt. His con- fession and restitution are not the result of repentance, but of superstitious fear. 2. His mother shows no grief at the revelation of his conduct, but only delight at st:eing the money, and a desire to remove the effect of her curse by pronouncing &. blessing on her son. 3. Subsequently the young man dreads to touch the money which is affected with his mother's curse, though she offers it to him, and she feels bound to use it, or part of it, in the service of God. 4. Religious feelings do not seem to affect the moral conduct of either person, but only to incline them to image-malcing. Thus worldly greed drags down religion till this becomes merely a worldly habit of gross idolatry and magic spells. We may see in the present day religions of mere ritual and superstitious practices attracting the most worldly people, and not restrain- ing, but rather shaping themselves into the mould of their low and earthly affec- tions.-A. Ver. 6.-No l-ing. The writer of the Book of Judges more than once attributes the social disorders of Israel to the want of a king. This idea has its bearings on national interests and on private conduct. I. THE NEED OF A KING IN CONNECTION WITH NATIONAL mTERESTS. 1. A centre nf authority is essential to tlie peace and prosperity of a nation. As the first duty of a government is to maintain order, so the need of authority and organisation for the maintenance of order makes the establishment of a government essential to a nation. This is necessary, (1) to punish violence and crime, (2) to restrain the unjust encroachment of one man upon the rights of another, (3) to arbitrate between the conflicting claims of individual men and of great classes of the community, (4) to promote national objects which are too large for private enterprise, and (5) to cement the unity of the nation and organise this for defence against foreign invasion. 2. Wlien a nation is not prepared /or self-government it is best for it to be ruled by one strong_ hand. Apart from political requisites, certain moral conditions must be ful- filled before a people can practise self-government. There must be unity of sym- pathy and self-control. Neither of these conditions was fulfilled by the tribes of Israel in the days of the Judges. Mutual jealousy and antagonism prevailed among them, and violent measures were too common for the minority to submit peaceably to the will of the majority. The spiritual vision of the Divine King which bad main- tained the unity of the nation in the days of Moses was fading away, and now that sublime and unea1thly government was nearly lost, there was no hope for the people but in the establishment of a human monarchy. It is foolish to maintain in words nn ideal which is too high for practice. Better confess our degeneracy and shape our conduct according to the means within reach. II. THE NEED OF A KING IN CONNECTION WITH PIUVATE CONDUCT. The soul needs II. king. We are born to obey. W"' need some authority above us to keep us right. 1. lt is not safe for every man to do what is right in his own eyes, because (1) wo are swayed by passion and selfish greed, and (2) in our best moments we are liable to prejudice, and are too short-sighted to see what is best. The anarchy o.f universal self-seeking without restraint would bring the world to ruin. For the good of all it is necessary that each should not be at liberty simply to please himself. ~- It is not rigltt for every man to do that which is right in his own eyes. We are members one of another1 and are morally bound to respect the rights, and needs, and wishes of our 184 THE BOOK OJ.i JttDGES. [dH. xvn. 1-18.