Lessons from Israel: Tel Dan

In the Old Testament, when God led his people into the promised land, each tribe of Israel was given a section of land in which to live.  The tribe of Dan was originally given a section of land that extended from the Mediterranean Sea toward Jerusalem. However, they discovered a better area in the north and moved there instead.  It was a fertile land with plenty of water - everything they needed to thrive. Along the way they also discovered some idols. They appointed a priest to serve them as they worshipped these idols.  The disobedience in this sad story is off the charts. They said “no, thanks” to the land God graciously gave them. Then they said “no, thanks” to the God who offered to bless and protect them.

In our world today discontent drives us.  The entire marketing industry is based on discontent.  We are encouraged to trade up any chance we get. And sometimes God is blessing us through these opportunities.  But other times we are trading away the very thing God wants to bless us with and through. For the tribe of Dan, they gained prosperity in the immediate future.  They found only destruction farther down the road. In a world that pushes us to trade up, sometimes the best deal is the one we currently have. Sometimes, that’s the one that God has given to us, and the place where, in the end, his richest blessings are found.