“20 Characteristics of a Good Man” Bible Study.

Today we read my least favorite chapters in the Bible. I dread reading them because I know how the story ends.

But you can learn from bad examples as well as good examples. These three chapters show us the characteristics of men to avoid!

Judges 19:30, “…Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!” Modern English Version

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Show me a man who:

Is honest, Exodus 20:15. Micah stole from his mother, Judges 17:1.
Fears God, Exodus 20:2. Micah feared the curse, Judges 17:2.
Honors his parents, but is not a “Momma’s boy,” Exodus 20:12, Genesis 2:24. Micah’s mother blessed him, (to reverse the curse), instead of punishing him, Judges 17:2.
Puts God first, Exodus 20:3, 4. Micah had a shrine and made an idol, Judges 17:5.
Understands spiritual authority, Exodus 28:1-5. Only the sons of Aaron could become a priest. Micah made his son a priest, Judges 17:5.
Submits to authority, Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-25. Everyone did whatever he wanted because there was no king, Judges 17:6.
Does not accept a substitute that “looks good,” Numbers 3:1-39. The Levites helped the priests and took care of the temple but they could not serve as a priest. Micah uninstalled his son and installed a Levite as his “priest,” Judges 17:7-13.
Provides for his own needs, 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The Levite went wherever he could find a place to sleep and people to feed him, Judges 17:7, 8. Mooching off of others was his work.
Is a spiritual leader, Proverbs 78:1-8; Ephesians 6:4. Micah wanted a father and a priest, Judges 17:10. Micah had a son and he should have been the spiritual leader, not searching for one.
Does not tell you what you want to hear, 2 Timothy 4:3. “The Levite gave them the message they wanted to hear. He was even careful to use the name of the Lord to give the message credibility and authority.” New International Version Study Bible Notes on Judges 18:6.
Helps the helpless, James 1:27; Psalms 82:3, 4. The men of Dan saw the people of Laish had no ties with anyone. They chose to take their land, Judges 18:7-10.
Keeps their commitments, no matter how prestigious the offer, Matthew 5:27-37. The Levite went with the leaders of Dan because it carried more prestige, Judges 18:18-21.
Guards what is his, 1 Timothy 6:20. Micah let the leaders of Dan take his priest, ephod, household images, and carved idol, Judges 18:24-26.
Surrounds himself with wise men, Proverbs 13:20; 17:17; 24:6; 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10; Hebrews 10:25. The men of Laish were “Lone Rangers.” They didn’t have ties with anyone. The result? They and their families died, Judges 18:27, 28.
Apologizes quickly, Ephesians 4:26. The Levite from Ephraim waited 4 months after his concubine wife became angry and left him before he went to reconcile with her, Judges 19:1-3.
Cares more about people than appearances, James 2:3. The father-in-law was happy to see the Levite because it was a disgrace to the family that his daughter returned, Judges 19:3. He became the father whose daughter was raped, killed and cut into 12 pieces. That was a disgraceful reputation, Judges 19:9-30.
Admits when he makes a mistake and corrects it, James 5:16. The father-in-law chose the Levite for his daughter’s husband. He knew it was a mistake because he didn’t want them to leave. He kept asking them to stay longer, Judges 19:4-8. Had they left earlier on the fifth day, they would have spent the night in Ramah, Judges 19:8-13.
Who protects his wife and children, Ephesians 5:25-29. The old man offered his virgin daughter, Judges 19:24. The Levite seized his concubine and brought her out into the street. He was her protector and he sacrificed her to protect himself, Judges 19:22-26. He was a selfish man. It is no wonder she left him.
Cares about the condition of his wife, Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7; Philippians 2:4. The Levite got up, saw his concubine fallen at the door of the house and said, “Get up, let us be going,” Judges 19:27, 28.
Respects and honors the dead, 1 Samuel 31:11, 12. The Levite cut his dead concubine into 12 pieces, Judges 19:29, 30.