Judges 17 -- One Man God Will Give Over To His Mixed-Up Thought Processes

My commentary stated that the events in the final chapters of Judges were added as an appendix and actually took place before the 40 years of Philistine rule, and that they were included to illustrate how wicked the people had become.

A man named Micah was described here.  His name means "Who is like Jehovah?" but it certainly didn't seem to fit him!

He'd stolen money from his mother and only admitted the theft out of fear of the curse she was pronouncing on the thief.  Then she "neutralized the curse by blessing HIM," my commentary said.  In a crazy sequence of events, she then dedicated part of the silver that had been returned to her to the Lord, but did so by having an idol made out of it!  The value wasn't given to the Lord for use in the tabernacle, but instead was placed in her son's own home in his "holy center" -- added to his "god collection," which was cared for by one of his sons, whom Micah had ordained (not his job!) to serve as a priest!  Whew!  "Their home was a place of religious and moral confusion."  My commentary tallied seven of the ten commandments that had been broken, yet the family thought they were doing great!

A young Levite was walking by, apparently unable to remain where he'd been living because the people weren't supporting the priesthood sufficiently.  "Instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, Jonathan, the Levite, set out to find a place to live and work, even if it meant abandoning his calling as a servant of God ... Instead of being available to God, Jonathan was agreeable only to men and he eventually found himself a comfortable home and job with Micah ... Jonathan gave up all that for comfort and security in the home of an idolater!"

"The sad part of the story is that Micah now thought he had the favor of God because a genuine Levitical priest was serving as his private chaplain.  Micah practiced false religion and worshiped false gods (with Jehovah thrown in for good measure), and all the while he rested on the false confidence that God was blessing him."

Father, keep me in Your Word so that I can see if I ever get this far away from You.  It's hard to imagine people sinning this much, thinking they are right with You!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford