What happens when God’s people worship other things? Find out as we continue exploring the wayward tribe of Jacob’s son Dan with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer. Receive
The Danites focus on God but they distort their worship of Him. By subordinating Him to other things, establishing their own version of religion, and lacking justice, they actually keep themselves from God. While their story reveals some important cautions for us today, we can also be encouraged by God’s promise to restore all things.
Reflect
* Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you?
* 1 Kings 12:26-30 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2012%3A26-30%20&version=NIV )
* Exodus 32:4-6 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2032%3A4-6%20&version=NIV )
* Nehemiah 9:18 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%209%3A18%20&version=NIV )
* 1 Kings 12:31-33 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2012%3A31-33%20&version=NIV )
* Amos 5:18-24 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%205%3A18-24%20&version=NIV )
* Revelation 7:5-8 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%207%3A5-8%20&version=NIV )
* Acts 15:1-5 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2015%3A1-5%20&version=NIV )
* Acts 15:13-18 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2015%3A13-18%20&version=NIV )
* Jeroboam worshipped God with calf idols which subordinated God (see 1 Kings 12:26-30 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2012%3A26-30&version=NIV )). Is there a way you may set out to worship God which could actually subordinate Him to other things?
* Jeroboam divided the religion in northern Israel from the religion in southern Israel for his own purposes (see 1 Kings 12:31-33 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2012%3A31-33&version=NIV )). What caution can you take away about the danger of distorting God’s ways with personalized religion?
* The northern Israelites got some things wrong in how they worshipped God (see Amos 5:18-24 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%205%3A18-24&version=NIV )). What is one way that justice can be included as you worship God?
* God’s redemption is described in both the Old Testament (from Amos 9:11-12 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%209%3A11-12&version=NIV )) and the New Testament (from Acts 15:13-18 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2015%3A13-18&version=NIV )). How does this give you hope in God’s restoration of all things?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Jesus, help me to worship You above everything else and prevent me from subordinating You to anything else. Help me to focus on Your ways and prevent me from distorting Your ways with my own ways. Help me see opportunities to include justice as I worship You. And fill me with assurance that you are restoring all things.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources
Mentioned in this episode:
* The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories ( https://go.odb.org/theholylandseries-dtw )
Listen:
* My Three Sons ( https://go.odb.org/my-three-sons-dtw )
* Am I That Hard to Love? ( https://go.odb.org/am-i-that-hard-to-love-with-jerome-gay )
Read:
* Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking ( https://go.odb.org/noah-hope-in-the-waters-of-remaking-dtw )
* Redemption’s Hope ( https://go.odb.org/redemptions-hope-dtw )
Watch:
* A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew ( https://go.odb.org/a-new-identity-the-gospel-of-matthew )
* Loving Those Who’ve Fallen Away ( https://go.odb.org/loving-those-who-have-fallen-away )
Discover the Word Podcast
Episode 247
January 18, 2026
★ Episode details: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3f11484c
★ Additional episodes: https://discovertheword.org/