The name of the city was Laish. It was located in the territory possessed by the northern tribe of Dan. The phrase “from Dan to Beersheba” was a familiar saying in Israel. It meant from the farthest point northward (Dan), to the farthest point southward (Beersheba). Dan was originally given territory just northwest of Judah. But the original allotment proved too small. So five Danite spies were sent farther north to locate additional land. That’s when they stumbled upon the careless city of Laish.
Lazy Laish. That’s how Judges 18:7 describes the city. With no apprehension of danger, the people lived in what proved to be lethal indolence and ignorance. What you don’t know can hurt you.
According to Judges 18:7, Laish was ill-governed. The Bible says, “There were no rulers in the land who might put them to shame for anything.” The people of Laish resisted restraint. They resented authority. “Live and let live,” was their motto.
The text also reports that Laish was ill-guarded. “They were far from the Sidonians, and they had no ties with anyone.” Cut off from their Syrian neighbors to the north by Mount Hermon, and from the Sidonians to the West by the Lebanon range, the city of Laish was totally isolated. But since their city was located along the springs that fed into the Jordan River, they had a false sense of safety and security. They were secure in their isolation.
All of that changed in Judges 18:27 when the enemy launched a surprise attack on Laish, killed the inhabitants, and burned the city. Laish was an easy target because along with the careless attitude of the people, v28 says, “there was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no ties with anyone.” They cared for nobody and therefore, in their hour of crisis, nobody cared for them. No one even knew when Laish went down.
Satan loves it when Christians fail to connect with a local church. He is delighted by Christians who adopt a “go-it-alone” attitude. The enemy zeroes in on those with no ties to the Body of Christ. Living far from the fellowship of believers and with no apprehension of pending danger, these isolated saints become easy pickings.
There’s a reason why the Hebrew writer told us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (Hebrews 10:25). Don’t be like those who pride themselves on having no ties with any church. To be a churchless Christian is not only unbiblical, it’s not safe. Run from Laish-minded Christians. Immerse yourself in the fellowship of God’s people. Hang out with believers who love Christ’s Church. It’s the best place to be.
Pastor Todd Weston
According to Judges 18:7, Laish was ill-governed. The Bible says, “There were no rulers in the land who might put them to shame for anything.” The people of Laish resisted restraint. They resented authority. “Live and let live,” was their motto.
The text also reports that Laish was ill-guarded. “They were far from the Sidonians, and they had no ties with anyone.” Cut off from their Syrian neighbors to the north by Mount Hermon, and from the Sidonians to the West by the Lebanon range, the city of Laish was totally isolated. But since their city was located along the springs that fed into the Jordan River, they had a false sense of safety and security. They were secure in their isolation.
All of that changed in Judges 18:27 when the enemy launched a surprise attack on Laish, killed the inhabitants, and burned the city. Laish was an easy target because along with the careless attitude of the people, v28 says, “there was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no ties with anyone.” They cared for nobody and therefore, in their hour of crisis, nobody cared for them. No one even knew when Laish went down.
Satan loves it when Christians fail to connect with a local church. He is delighted by Christians who adopt a “go-it-alone” attitude. The enemy zeroes in on those with no ties to the Body of Christ. Living far from the fellowship of believers and with no apprehension of pending danger, these isolated saints become easy pickings.
There’s a reason why the Hebrew writer told us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (Hebrews 10:25). Don’t be like those who pride themselves on having no ties with any church. To be a churchless Christian is not only unbiblical, it’s not safe. Run from Laish-minded Christians. Immerse yourself in the fellowship of God’s people. Hang out with believers who love Christ’s Church. It’s the best place to be.
Pastor Todd Weston