1 And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name [was] Micah.
2 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.
3 And when he had restored the eleven hundred [shekels] of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.
4 Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.
5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
6 In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.
7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there.
8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find [a place]: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I [am] a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find [a place].
10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten [shekels] of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
12 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest.
Overview of Judges Chapter 17
Judges Chapter 17 presents a narrative that highlights the spiritual and moral decline of Israel during the period of the judges. This chapter introduces the character of Micah and his interactions with a Levite, illustrating themes of idolatry, personal religion, and the consequences of a lack of centralized worship.
Key Characters
- Micah: A man from the hill country of Ephraim who creates a personal shrine and engages in idolatry.
- The Levite: A wandering priest who becomes Micah’s personal priest, representing the corruption of priestly duties.
- Micah’s Mother: She plays a role in the creation of the idol and represents the influence of familial relationships in religious practices.
Summary of Events
- Micah’s Idolatry:
Micah steals 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother, confesses, and returns the money. His mother dedicates a portion of it to make a carved image and a metal idol, which Micah then places in his house.
- Establishment of a Personal Shrine:
Micah builds a shrine and makes an ephod and household gods, indicating a shift from worshiping Yahweh to personal and localized forms of worship.
- Recruiting the Levite:
A Levite from Bethlehem in Judah comes to Micah’s home. Micah offers him a position as his personal priest, which further emphasizes the breakdown of proper worship practices.
- Micah’s Assurance:
Micah believes that having a Levite as a priest will ensure his prosperity, showcasing a misunderstanding of the true nature of worship and divine favor.
Thematic Analysis
- Idolatry:
The chapter illustrates the dangers of idolatry, as Micah’s actions reflect a departure from the worship of Yahweh. The creation of idols and personal shrines symbolizes the broader spiritual corruption in Israel.
- Personal Religion vs. Communal Worship:
Micah’s establishment of a personal shrine highlights the tension between individual religious practices and the communal worship mandated in the Torah. This suggests a fragmentation of faith in Israel.
- Corruption of the Priesthood:
The Levite’s willingness to serve Micah for personal gain reflects the moral decline of the priestly class, which should have been upholding the standards of worship and leading the people towards Yahweh.
- Consequences of Apostasy:
The narrative foreshadows the eventual consequences of Israel’s apostasy, as the lack of centralized worship leads to chaos and moral ambiguity in the nation.
Conclusion
Judges Chapter 17 serves as a critical reflection on the state of Israel during the time of the judges. Through the story of Micah and the Levite, the chapter emphasizes the dangers of idolatry, the pitfalls of personal religion, and the corruption of the priesthood. It sets the stage for the subsequent narratives in the book of Judges, which further explore the implications of Israel’s spiritual decline.
