Idols of Corruption

Through its succession of corruptive examples of doing what is right in one's own eyes concerning religious practice, Judges 17-18 urges us to be faithful to God and His Word with leaders who are faithful to God and His Word as we carry out His gospel mission under the kingship of Christ.

1. Corruptive personal self-made
   religion (17:1-13)

*Self-establish idols, shrines, and
priests "blessed by the LORD" (1-6)

*Legitimization and "prosperity from
the LORD" with the "right kind" of
priest (7-13)

*Be faithful to God and His Word with
leaders who are faithful to God and
His Word.

2. The corruptive spread of self-made
   religion (18:1-31)

*A twisted mission of conquest "under
the eye of the LORD" (1-10)

*Legitimizing the conquest with the
confiscation of a self-made religion
(11-26)

*Successful conquest and
establishment of self-made religion
(27-31)

*Carry out God's gospel mission
according to His Word under the
kinship of Christ