Judges 17

Judges 17 begins a new section in the book of Judges, which is often referred to as the epilogue. It highlights the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during this period, emphasizing the chaos and idolatry that arose due to the absence of strong leadership. This chapter introduces the story of Micah, a man from the mountains of Ephraim, and his homemade religion, setting the stage for further degradation of Israel's faithfulness to God.

Judges 17:1 (NKJV)
Now there was a man from the mountains of Ephraim, whose name was Micah.

Micah, introduced here, lives in the hill country of Ephraim, one of Israel's central regions. His story reflects the widespread decline of religious devotion in Israel. Ephraim is historically significant, yet this account shows that even in such places, the people’s dedication to Yahweh was compromised by syncretism and personal interpretations of faith.

Judges 17:2-4 (NKJV)
2 And he said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears—here is the silver with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my son!”
3 So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, “I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the Lord for my son, to make a carved image and a molded image; now therefore, I will return it to you.”
4 Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image. And they were in the house of Micah.

Micah admits to stealing a significant amount of silver from his mother. After confessing, his mother responds with a blessing, which contrasts the earlier curse. Interestingly, she dedicates some of the silver to create idols, revealing a blending of devotion to Yahweh with idol worship. This action reflects the Israelites' confusion and moral decay, as they ignored God’s command against making graven images (Exodus 20:4). Micah's mother’s well-meaning intention to “dedicate” to God was tainted by her misunderstanding of proper worship.

Judges 17:5 (NKJV)
The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

Micah sets up his own personal shrine, complete with an ephod and various idols. He even appoints his own son as a priest, further showing how far the Israelites had strayed from the true worship of Yahweh. In the absence of centralized worship and priestly order, individuals like Micah took matters into their own hands, creating a distorted version of religious practices that were influenced by surrounding cultures.

Judges 17:6 (NKJV)
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

This verse captures the essence of the period of the Judges: a time of lawlessness, where there was no central authority to guide or enforce the laws of God. Each person followed their own judgment, leading to religious and moral chaos. Without leadership, Israel drifted further into idolatry and disobedience, a theme that will continue through the epilogue of Judges.

Judges 17:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah; he was a Levite, and was staying there.
8 The man departed from the city of Bethlehem in Judah to stay wherever he could find a place. Then he came to the mountains of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.

The story introduces a young Levite, originally from Bethlehem in Judah. Levites were supposed to serve God and assist in religious duties. However, this Levite is seen wandering in search of a place to live, suggesting a breakdown in the Levitical order. His aimless journey indicates the lack of spiritual direction in Israel at this time.

Judges 17:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” So he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to find a place to stay.”
10 Micah said to him, “Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.” So the Levite went in.

Micah, upon meeting the Levite, offers him a job as his personal priest in exchange for payment and sustenance. Micah's willingness to hire a priest for personal religious duties, combined with the Levite's acceptance of the offer, further reflects the moral compromise of both parties. Neither Micah nor the Levite is concerned with the true worship of Yahweh, focusing instead on their personal convenience and benefit.

Judges 17:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Then the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man became like one of his sons to him.
12 So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and lived in the house of Micah.

The Levite agrees to Micah's offer and is treated like part of the family. Micah then consecrates him as his priest, though this act was meant to be reserved for the legitimate Levitical priesthood serving in the tabernacle. The consecration ceremony here is unauthorized and inappropriate, revealing the depths of Israel’s spiritual decline. Micah and the Levite both pursue personal religion instead of adhering to God’s established order.

Judges 17:13 (NKJV)
Then Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!”

Micah believes that having a Levite as his priest will bring God’s favor upon him. His reasoning reflects a superficial understanding of God’s will, as he focuses on the outward appearance of religious legitimacy without regard to the deeper issue of obedience. Micah’s false sense of security in his actions shows the confusion that had taken root in Israel’s worship practices, as they mixed pagan rituals with the worship of Yahweh.