Judges 18:5

And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

And they said {H559} unto him, Ask counsel {H7592}, we pray thee, of God {H430}, that we may know {H3045} whether our way {H1870} which we go {H1980} shall be prosperous {H6743}.

They said to him, "Please ask God whether our journey will be successful."

Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to determine whether we will have a successful journey.”

And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

Commentary

Judges 18:5 captures a pivotal moment of the Danite spies seeking divine validation for their mission, revealing much about the spiritual state of Israel during the period of the Judges.

Context

This verse is set during a turbulent time in Israelite history, specifically the period of the Judges, characterized by spiritual decline and a lack of central authority, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes". The Tribe of Dan had not yet fully secured its inheritance in the land of Canaan (as detailed in Joshua 19:40-48), and five of their men were sent to scout for new territory. On their journey, they encounter a young Levite, Jonathan, who has taken up residence in the house of Micah, serving as a personal priest for Micah's idol and household gods. The Danite spies recognize the Levite's voice from their past travels and question him about his presence there. This verse records their request to him.

Key Themes

  • The Desire for Divine Guidance: The Danites, despite their questionable methods and the context of idolatry, still felt a need to seek God's counsel before embarking on their critical mission. This highlights a universal human longing for assurance and divine approval, even when their spiritual understanding or practices are flawed.
  • Misplaced Faith and Idolatry: The request itself is problematic. They ask for "counsel of God" through a Levite who is serving an idolatrous setup, effectively seeking God's will through illegitimate means. This reflects the pervasive syncretism and spiritual confusion of the era, where people mixed true worship of the Lord with pagan practices.
  • Seeking Prosperity and Success: Their primary concern is whether their "way...shall be prosperous." This reveals a motivation focused on practical success and material gain, rather than seeking God's will out of pure devotion or obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Ask counsel...of God" translates from the Hebrew sha'al da'at Elohim, meaning "to ask for knowledge/understanding from God." While the intention to seek divine knowledge seems commendable, the method employed—consulting a Levite engaged in idol worship—renders the inquiry illegitimate in God's eyes. The word "prosperous" comes from the Hebrew tsalach (צָלַח), which means to "rush," "succeed," or "be profitable." It indicates their desire for the expedition to be successful and yield good results.

Practical Application

Judges 18:5 serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. While seeking God's guidance is vital for every decision, the means by which we seek it are equally important. We must ensure our counsel comes from genuine sources aligned with God's revealed will in His Word, not from practices that compromise our faith or attempt to manipulate God for our own ends. True divine guidance comes through sincere prayer, study of Scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, not through syncretistic or disobedient avenues. Our desire for prosperity should always be submitted to God's greater purpose and glory, not as a primary motivation for spiritual inquiry.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:5 (4 votes)

    And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

  • Acts 8:10 (3 votes)

    To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

  • Isaiah 30:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

  • Judges 18:14 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.

  • Judges 17:13 (2 votes)

    Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest.

  • 2 Kings 16:15 (2 votes)

    And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].

  • Ezekiel 21:21 (2 votes)

    For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made [his] arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.