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Judges 17:7–13
“Then Micah said, ‘Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!’” (Judg. 17:13)
The author of Judges departs momentarily from the story of Micah to take up a narrative of a young Levite of Bethlehem. It is said he is “of the family of Judah”; apparently his mother is of Judah while his father is of Levi, the tribe of the priests and tabernacle attendants. This young man, for reasons left unclear, sets out to “find a place.” Matthew Henry notes that since Bethlehem is not a Levitical city, the people may not be supporting him adequately. However, if that is the case he has no one to blame but himself, for it is the duty and privilege of every Levite to go to the tabernacle to serve and there receive a portion of the sacrifices for his upkeep (Deut. 18:1–8). This Levite does not seem to have the tabernacle, situated at Shiloh, as his destination. Rather, he seems to be setting out to “seek his fortune,” as it were.
The Levite’s journey takes him to, of all places, Micah’s house (Henry speculates he goes there purposely, having heard of Micah’s shrine). Micah extends the customary hospitality, and in the course of their conversation the Levite’s heritage is revealed. This is music to Micah’s ears; he sees an opportunity to improve upon his house of gods. In his eyes, it would be more “right” for him to have a Levite as his priest than his own son. He therefore invites the Levite to “ ‘be a father and a priest to me’ ” and promises to take care of his needs. The Levite accepts, being “content” with Micah and his offer. Henry tells us that Micah is proposing “a poor salary in comparison of what God provided for the Levites that behaved well,” but the Levite’s bigger loss here is his inheritance. God had said He Himself would be the inheritance of the people of that tribe (Deut. 18:2), but this Levite now exchanges that grand inheritance for a mess of pottage—the service of images and idols rather than the one true God.
Micah presumes to consecrate the Levite as a priest, though he has no authority to do so and the Levite has no right to become a priest unless he is of the family of Aaron. Then Micah foolishly rejoices, thinking that God will bless him for having one of the tribe of Levi as his priest. He is ignorant of the truth—that the Levites are called to minister before the living God in the place of God’s choosing and in the way God commands, not in a two-bit shrine erected by human whim and populated by pagan personages.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
It seems that Micah really thinks he is promoting the worship of God. But his efforts are guided by inadequate knowledge. We simply cannot deal with God in whatever way seems proper to us, as the verses below make clear. Study these verses and seriously ask yourself whether your interactions with God need to be reformed.
For Further Study
- Leviticus 10:1–7
- Leviticus 22:31–32
- Deuteronomy 12:32
- Matthew 15:9
- Acts 17:25