Don't forget to turn that on. We mentioned in our last lesson, when we started chapter 17, that these last chapters of the book of Judges are probably not chronological. They're probably thoughts or they're records of people, individuals throughout the period of the judges. And easily, these could have, the very same things that we read about could have happened many, many times over in Israel at that time. In between the judges, during the judges, we find that there was not much, not many, in Israel that knew anything about the gospel. There were many Israelites, but one that is a true Israelite is one that has been born again. We were introduced to a man here by the name of Micah, And Micah and his mother had a little row for a while over some money that he had stolen. Could have happened at any time during those 350 years of the judges. We also have that she had an idol made out of part of that money that she got back. And that's kind of where we are brought to here in chapter 17. And I'd like to spend a little time tonight on chapter 17, verses five and six. chapter 17, verse 5 and 6. It tells us in these passages of Scripture, and we're introduced to Micah again, and the activities of Micah could have been the activities of many people during this period of time. No doubt there were many Micahs throughout the land of Israel during the Judges because we find constantly that record of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So as a nation and as individuals. And the man Micah had a house of gods and made an ephod and a teraphim. and consecrated one of his sons who became his priest. In those days, there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. the result of no spiritual leadership in Israel at this time. And as it mentions there, there was no king in Israel. Now, so often in the past, I've looked at this as we jump ahead and find out during Samuel's time, and we'll want to read a passage of scripture there a little bit. But in Samuel's time, you know, the people rejected Samuel, and he went to the Lord about it, and we're gonna read that in a moment, but there was a king, but there was not a king over these people, and they'd had no love at all for the king. We're gonna find out that God never gave up his reign. God never gave up his kingship. The Messiah never stopped, never quit. We don't have a time when there was not the king of heaven. and the glory of that king. So when we read this, and I think it's mentioned four times here in the book of the Judges, that there was no king, in reality, nobody was worshiping the king. We have a king, but they found no place in their heart to worship that king. Remember what Isaiah was caused to write in the book of Isaiah chapter six. Just turn over there with me, if you would, to Isaiah chapter six. And you know this verse of scripture. It's been read many times and you've read it, but I just want to go over there one more time into the book of Isaiah chapter six. And it tells us in Isaiah chapter six in verse one, that there was a very interesting thing happened just prior to Isaiah seeing the king. It tells us there in the year that King Uzziah died. Now there was a king of Israel, his name was Uzziah, and there's some history about him in the scriptures. But here in the book of Isaiah, we read in the year that he died, Isaiah saw a greater king. In the year that Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the king of kings. the glorious king, and that's what we find over there in the book of Judges chapter 17, that there was no king. Nobody could see this great king. Now we find out that there were a few here and there, the election according to grace, the remnant according to grace, were able to see him, but it was by revelation and revelation alone. So in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord. This is another word that could be said as king. I saw the king. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the king. Now, I can't help but think that Isaiah had a great deal of respect for King Uzziah. And in many respects, he kind of got in the way But when God revealed to Isaiah the fact of the matter, that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Now this is the same king, this is the same throne, this is the same Lord that created the heavens and the earth. This is the same one that appeared unto Adam in the garden. He was not just a slouch, he was king. And we find that he appeared to many people in the Old Testament, and he came as king, the Lord Jesus Christ came as king. And as we follow this subject for just a little bit, we find that there's much said in the Bible that there was a king, but nobody had any respect for him because they didn't see him. They couldn't understand him. He was unrevealed to them. It was a sad day when the true king of Israel, spiritual Israel in particular, The true king of Israel was not known. Now that's a sad day and it's a sad place when the true king is not known. There is no thought about the true king and yet we find that there are places where that is and there's no guarantee that in 10, 5, 2, 20, 50 years that that won't be the case here. We have no guarantee. The last sheep that is saved in this area, there will be no longer any need for this building or this people. And there will be a people who know not the king. Thank God he's revealed his kingship to some. The lost sheep of the house of Israel, he reveals his kingship to. And so there is a king. And it's a sad day when there is no king. And we found out over there in the book of Judges, there was no king. And every man did what was right in his own eyes. That is certainly what happens when people do not have the king of glory. I don't know how many times I have been told, if I believe like you do, then I would go out and do anything I wanted to. What's that the sign of? No king. I don't know the king because the king gives us a different insight to that. We find out that we're closer, we want to be closer to him and we follow the scriptures and we see in there as Paul brings out to the Romans and shares with them and heads them off time and time again that, you know, that grace does not give a license to sin. If you have the king, there's some restraint that is given to us. Now, I'm not saying that we don't sin. Please don't take that home. But there is a king, the ruler, a Lord, as we find out people in the Bible recognized him as Lord after they were saved. So every man does what's right in his own eyes when they do not have the king of glory. And religion is rampant with this. The modernism that's come in to even what used to be places where there was some gospel preached, the modernism has come in and there is no king and everybody's doing what's right in their own eyes. I have a friend that blesses motorcycles. Where in the world? Where in the world does that come from? And I'm asking. And then we have people that will bless your pet. Where is that in the scriptures? I just, it boggles my mind and it really boils down to the fact that there is no king and every man is doing what's right in their own eyes. What is popular? We'll take a sample of people's ideas and we'll incorporate that. When I moved to this town, there was a church that was just moved, and they sent out people to take samples of what people would want to hear if they went to church. And they put that together, and we have a church right here in town that is practicing that sort of thing. Why? Because it's popular with people. But it is not popular with God, and every man is doing what's right in his own eyes. This is not scripture. There is no Bible behind it, but it's popular in the world. Now, I mentioned this verse over here in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 8. First Samuel chapter eight, we have these words and you know, I think I've misunderstood these verses of scripture here. Just as I've misunderstood this passage of scripture in the book of Judges chapter 17 and verse six, where it says, there was no king in Israel and every man was doing what was right in their own eyes. There was no king for them. and every man was doing what was right. But there was somebody that was directing God's people there. And in fact, there was a king, a high and holy one, that was directing what was going on, even to those who didn't want it. All right, here in the book of 1 Samuel 8. 1 Samuel 8, we read these words, 1 Samuel 8, verse seven. Now, there was a prophet, his name was Samuel, and he was heartbroken. I can't help but think that he was probably a pretty good prophet. Some view him as the last judge. I think he was faithful. He loved the king. And he had people wanting, what's it say? And the Lord, well, it's back up there. It says here in verse four, then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together to come to Samuel unto Ramah and said unto him, behold, thou art old. Now, did they get that information from God? Oh, God whispered in my ear, you're getting old, so we need to do something else. No. And it goes on to say, and thy sons walked not in thy ways. Did they get that from God? I don't think his sons did walk in the ways. Why? They had no king. So they did what was right in their own eyes. But that was not Samuel. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel when he said, give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah, the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for they have not rejected thee. Now this is a very interesting statement that we find next, but they have rejected me from what? That I should not reign over them. they have rejected me that I should not reign over them. Now, I think that there's a whole lot of what we find in this verse of scripture over the book of Judges, that they had no king, so every person did what was right in their own eyes. And we can say that's going on today, and it is, it's always gone on, and it happens that way. We find over here, turn with me to the book of Luke chapter 19, which is an illustration. The Lord brings up this illustration about the king and has authority, great authority, and yet we find here in the book of Luke chapter 19, verse 14, that the reaction, the reaction to commanding or demanding that you bow before the King of heaven. God commands that we bow before him. And God commands that we come to God. God commands the gospel. God commands us. And yet we are incapable in our natural state to do that. But notice here what it says, but his citizens hated him. and sent messengers after him saying, we will not have this man to what? Reign over us. We do not want this king. And the Lord Jesus is speaking about the very subject that we're reading about in the book of Joshua, I mean, Judges, and also though over there for Samuel, where God spoke to Samuel and says, don't worry about this. I know it's concerned you what they're asking for, but don't worry about it because they've not rejected you from being their leader. They've rejected me from reigning over them. Now, you know, in the back of God's eternal purpose, nobody can thwart the reign of God. Now we can act like it, just like these. We'll not have him rule over us. We'll not have this king reign over us. You know, in John chapter 19, we find a very interesting thing said at the trial of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. Why? Because there was no king in Israel. There was no king in Israel, so everybody did what was right in their own eyes. And we see that, and we're gonna come back to verse five of that 17th chapter in just a little bit, and see the results of somebody that does not have a right view of the king. As we find there in verse six, every man was doing what was right in their own eyes. And Micah does those things, what's right in his own eyes. And left to ourselves, we would do exactly the same thing. And probably before the Lord saved us, we were doing some of those things. We were not submitted to the reign of Christ. We didn't have much use for him. Well, here in the book of John chapter 19, John chapter 19, And verse 15, we find as the Lord Jesus is before Pilate, and Pilate, but they cried out, away with him, away with him, crucify him. This is the high priest and that council. Crucify him, crucify him. And Pilate said unto them, shall I crucify your king? Now that's an interesting question, but the answer is really interesting. The very next line, the chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar. Of all the people in the world that they would say we have a king is only in Caesar. You know, they're lying through their teeth because they don't like Caesar either. But this is going to be convenient for them to plead Caesar's case. And that is, if Pilate doesn't give them what they want, we can report this to Caesar because he is our king. And you know what Pilate will probably do? Recall. I mean, what Caesar will probably do, recall Pilate. take him back to Rome and maybe make a mockery out of him. So we have no king but Caesar. Here the religious people of the day have the king of kings and Lord of lords in their presence unbeknownst to them. And when it comes down to Pilate asking them, do you want me to crucify your king? They said, we only have one king and he's down in Rome and his title is Caesar. how this goes on and on through the scriptures when people, as we find over there in the book of Judges, and it has always been that way, that there was no king, and every man did what was right in his own eyes, and over and over, those words are brought out in the book of Judges. The church uses the word Lord with the name Jesus. They are speaking of the master of the realm. So when the church is using the term Lord, they are recognizing the fact that he is the king and they desire to worship him, to exalt him, to have a view of him greater and greater as time goes on. We've mentioned we never find that that king is less than we thought he was. He's always greater than we thought he was. His rule and reign is far more extant than we think. I was listening to Brother Lance about the universe, billions and billions of stars in our galaxy. And he rules and reigns over that galaxy as well as the billions and billions of other galaxies that are out there. And he ruled, as Nebuchadnezzar said, over the armies of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. He rules and reigns. When they were ready to take him or protect him, the disciples, the Lord said, I can call 12 legions of angels. Well, he could have put everybody that was against him on the ground instantly. He told Pilate, you can't do anything that I don't give you permission to do. I am the king. But as we find what happens in people, among peoples, when they have no king, every man does what's right in his own eyes. Turn with me over to the book of the Proverbs, if you would. Proverbs chapter 14. In Proverbs chapter 14 we have mention, Proverbs chapter 14, we have mention here of a man's way. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. I have to interject here a thought that Brother Henry gave me when one time he mentioned that that word every man means male and female. It doesn't just mean the male. And that lady that came up to him and says, I've always known of the total depravity of man, but I never thought about the depravity of woman. Well, this also covers that. Okay, here in the book of Proverbs chapter 14, Proverbs chapter 14, and there in verse 12, As we think about, there was no king in Israel, and every man, woman, boy, and girl did what was right in their own eyes. There was no true course. They could see no course. Every man, every person was doing, worshiping whatever they wanted to, doing whatever they wanted to. There was no king. Well, there was a king. but they'd not been given the grace to bow to him. All right, here it says, there is a way which seemeth right unto a man. And you know, in our lost condition, we had these great grandiose works that we were dependent upon. We had a philosophy of works. We had a religion of works. And here we have, that's the way that we were traveling. There's a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is no salvation in the ways of man. There is only salvation in the ways of God. The thing. They have not refused you from ruling over them, but they have refused me from reigning over them. We do not have a king but Caesar. This language continues on through the scriptures, even as we find it here. And then, if you'll turn with me to the book of Proverbs chapter 30. Proverbs chapter 30. In Proverbs chapter 30, we read this. Proverbs chapter 30, verse 12. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. Can you see, Mikey, in that verse of scripture? pure in his own eyes, he's doing what is right in his own eyes, and yet he's not washed from the filthiness, their filthiness. So there was, we know of, in our study of the judges, there was one person, two people during Samson's period of time that seemed to understand about the gospel, but very few. So here we have, there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness. And that's really the issue that we have, not washed from their filthiness. You know, the real problem that we face here is found in the book of Romans, because it is interesting how the Holy Spirit had the Apostle Paul synthesize many Old Testament verses into a couple of chapters. And so we don't have to go to the Psalms and read five or six or seven or eight different Psalms to come up with the same conclusion. The Holy Spirit gave the apostle Paul all of them in one fell swoop. So would you turn with me over to the book of Romans chapter one, Romans chapter one. Here is the problem that we face. And we talk about it all the time. It's ruined by the fall. ruined by the fall. Micah was ruined by the fall. Micah's mama was ruined by the fall. And guess what? Micah's son was ruined by the fall. They have no good qualities about them when it comes to spiritual things. So in Romans chapter 1 verse 20, Romans chapter 1 verse 20, we read this, for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. His eternal power and Godhead. Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful, but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened. I can just, Micah, Micah, Micah, Micah. Norm, norm, norm. Professing themselves, verse 22, to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, to birds, four-footed beasts, and creeping things. When we go back over there to the book of Judges chapter 17 and verse 5, we just read that he had a display of idols, he made an ephod, and he had a teraphim, and he had many gods. And that's where he is satisfied, okay? In verse 24, wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie. You know, it's interesting when God spoke to Moses in the book of Exodus, after Moses left and tended sheep for 40 years for his father-in-law, and he met God at the burning bush, that God told Moses, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now, just before that, he revealed to Moses, I am that I am. And that's who I want you to go tell these people down in Egypt that are of Israel, the tribes of Israel, that's who I want you to tell them who I am. What is he telling Moses in that passage of scripture? I am Lord of lords and king of kings. I am the one that came down and gave favor to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, liars, thieves, and idol worshipers. And that's who God came down to because he came to save sinners. And it says here, God changed the truth of God into a lie. I have a little, well, my mama took 200 shekels of silver and had two idols made of it. And here's one of them. And this is my God. And worshiped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever, amen. So here we have that descent that natural man has had with regards to God. Adam chose not to serve God. He's the only man that has ever lived that had what we might even think of a free will. And in that state of innocence, he chose wrongly. I will not have this one rule over me. And it's gone down quickly. All right, and then in chapter three of the Book of Romans, you're very familiar with this too. Chapter three, verse nine, we read this. What then, are we better than they? No, in no wise, for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. As it is written, there's none righteous, no not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. It's interesting how many people will argue with those verses of scripture because they don't have the king that wrote these verses of scripture. They don't have a king. So I don't want him reigning over me. And they'll say, well, truly there are some people that do some good works, not good works towards salvation. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God, they are all gone out of the way, they are together, become unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no, not one. You know what happens when God saves somebody? They quit arguing with that verse of scripture. Yep, in fact, Lord, it's worse than I thought. Goes on, their throat is an open sepulcher. You know what a sepulcher is, okay? It's a tomb. With their tongues they have used to seed and poison of asbestos under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood. And woe to the person who says, I'm not that way. Destruction, misery are in their way, the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. And here we have Micah practicing everything that's in this section of scripture as it is found over in the book of Judges, chapter 17, verses 5 and 6. He is practicing exactly what is here and we find that he's not alone. Thousands of people that were Israelites had copied the gods of all the people around there. God treated Israel in such a very special way. He came to them in a very special way that he did not come to any other of the nations around there and Israel adopted the gods. of those folks. Isn't it interesting when Moses is on the mount, getting the law, that they said, these be the gods that brought us out of Egypt. And what did they make? A golden calf. It was the God of Egypt that they brought out. So they're just simply saying, we'll not have this one reign over us. And every man did what was right in his own eyes. And people think, well, that's good enough. I'll just practice what I want. And there it is. Well, for just a moment or two, let's travel back to the book of Judges. Back to the book of Judges and notice those things that Micah did. Judges chapter 17. Judges chapter 17. And there in verse five. And the man Micah had a house of gods. You know, we think, well, it's not all that bad if it was just a god. But it's plural, house of gods. And before we point our finger at him too heavily, we always find somebody else. And then he had a house of gods, and he made an ephod. Now, we find when we study the coverings that the high priest and lesser priests had, they had an ephod. It was a priestly garment. So he makes a priestly garment, and then it tells us that he made a teraphim, and that's a sort of a household god. The word, it's a transliteration in most of these times of the Hebrew word. They just didn't translate it. There's only one or two places it's translated and one of them is over there when Jacob leaves his father-in-law and his wife buries some images family images, that's Terrapins. He had these sort of household gods. And then he consecrated one of his sons who became his priest. I just thought of that and I said, you know, he really, took upon himself a great deal of authority because he's not even a Levite. Might be a little credence if a Levite had done this, but he's not even a Levite. And he turns that over to his son. What credence he has in his own eyes and what authority he has in his own eyes. The God of Israel consecrated his priests. And you know, all the priests that were around the tabernacle and all the priests that were in the temple and around the temple, every one of them was only a picture of the real priest. And since there was no God that Micah bowed to, he did what was right in his own eyes. Now, we're not gonna get there tonight, but it goes down from here, downhill from here. All right, a couple of verses or passages I wanna read are found in the book of Hebrews. Would you turn there with me? Book of Hebrews. First of all is in Hebrews chapter three, verse one. Every priest throughout the Old Testament that God had was a type of this priest. There's only one real priest. The rest are types, shadows, pictures. And they could not continue, as Paul brings up, by the reason of death, they just couldn't continue. Well, here in the book of Hebrews chapter three, verse one, it says, now, I better get over there. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, Consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Now he is the apostle and high priest. He's God's apostle and he's God's high priest. He's the only true apostle, all the others were types, and he's the only true high priest, all the rest were types. They were pictures, shadows. They wore an ephod, they had a funny hat, they had all kinds of clothes. We've spent some time many years ago going over that over there in the book of Leviticus. It was no doubt quite beautiful. but everything they wore was typical of the one who is the apostle and high priest of our profession. And then finally, if you'll turn with me to Hebrews chapter seven, Hebrews chapter seven, and here in Hebrews chapter seven, verse 23, Hebrews chapter seven and verse 23, we read this. And they truly were many priests. because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death. You cannot have a full picture of a eternal God represented by a person that dies. Let's go on there. It tells us in verse 24, but this man, because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable priesthood. He is the one who represents us to God. He is the priest. Not only is he the priest that offered the sacrifice, he is the sheep that was sacrificed. On and on it goes about our Savior, the Lord Jesus. Well, as we close, we find out there was no God in Israel. Every man did what was right in his own eyes. And that continues till today. And it will continue in this world until God comes after saving his last sheep. And those that have no salvation will be on the left-hand side saying, I built some gods for you. I built an ephod for you. I had a terraform for you. And you know what? I was so good, I ordained my son to be my priest. All right, we'll stop there for tonight, and we'll pick this.