Judges 17:7 - Meaning and Application

We have here an account of Micah, who furnished himself with a Levite as his private priest or chaplain. He either thought his own son, since he would inherit the estate, was too important for priestly work, or, more likely, since his son was not from God’s tribe, he was not good enough for it. Micah wanted a religious setup that suited him, not one ruled by God’s law.

I. What brought this Levite to Micah. By his mother’s side, he belonged to the family of Judah and lived at Bethlehem with his relatives, since Bethlehem was not a city for Levites, or else he stayed there as a guest or stranger, Judges 17:7. From there he went to find any place where he could live, and in his travels he came to Micah’s house in Mount Ephraim, Judges 17:8.

Some think this was his misfortune, because he had to leave, either because people mistreated him or, more likely, because he was neglected and left without support at Bethlehem. God had made full provision for the Levites, but the people withheld what was due to them and did not help them take possession of the cities assigned to them. So they were driven into hardship, and no one cared enough to help them. Israel’s turning from God began with turning from the Levites, which is why they were warned against it (Deuteronomy 12:19). It is a sign that religion is declining when good ministers are ignored and left without a living.

But it seems more likely that this was his own fault and folly. He liked to wander, left his proper place, and lost the respect of his friends. With a restless mind, he went off to seek his fortune, as people say. We can hardly imagine that things had become so bad in Israel that a Levite should be poor unless he had brought it on himself. Those deserve pity who want to settle but cannot. Those deserve correction who could settle but will not. Since restlessness is usually a lasting burden, it is strange that any Israelite, especially any Levite, would choose it.

II. What bargain Micah made with him. If Micah had not been satisfied enough with his own son as a priest, he would have sent out to look for a Levite. Instead, he simply seized the one who happened to come his way, which shows how little zeal he had in the matter. This wandering Levite had likely heard in the countryside about Micah’s house of gods, with its carved image and metal image. If he had had any true spirit of a Levite, he would have come to rebuke Micah for his idolatry, to warn him that it was directly against God’s law and would bring God’s judgment on him. Instead, like a corrupt and unworthy branch of that holy tribe, he came to offer his services, saying, “Do you have work for a Levite? I am out of work, and I am going to live wherever I can find a place,” Judges 17:9. His only goal was to get food, not to do good.

Micah then invited him into his family, Judges 17:10, and promised him, first, better standing. “Be a father and a priest to me.” Though he was young and had just arrived, Micah said he would treat him as a father if he would serve as priest. He did not count him as one of the servants. He did not ask for proof of his calling, did not inquire about his conduct in his former place, and did not consider whether, though he was a Levite, he might still be such a bad man that he would bring trouble and shame on the family. Micah seemed to think that even if he were a great rogue, he could still serve as priest to a carved image, like Jeroboam’s priest from among the lowest people, 1 Kings 12:31. It is no surprise when those who can make anything serve as a god can also make anything serve as a priest.

Second, Micah promised him a decent living. He would give him food, drink, and clothes, a double set, as the margin notes say, one for everyday wear and one for special days, and ten shekels, about twenty-five shillings, a year for spending money. That was a poor wage compared with what God had provided for the Levites who did their duty well. But those who leave God’s service will never improve their lot or find a better master. The ministry is the best calling, but the worst trade in the world for anyone who uses it badly.

III. The Levite’s agreement with him, Judges 17:11. He was content to live with the man. Though the work was false worship and the pay was shameful, he objected to neither. He thought himself fortunate to have found such a comfortable house. Micah, thinking himself holier than his neighbors, then took it upon himself to ordain this Levite, Judges 17:12. As if building, furnishing, and supporting this chapel gave him the right not only to choose the man who would serve there, but also to give him the official standing he had no authority to give and the Levite had no right to receive.

Micah now treated him like a father and cared for him like a son, and he seemed willing to make up for the low pay he gave him with respect. But all of this only made the corruption worse, since the whole arrangement stood in open rebellion against God.

IV. Micah’s satisfaction in this, Judges 17:13. “Now I know the Lord will do me good,” he said, meaning either that he hoped his new religious setup would make him look respected among his neighbors, which would help him gain profit from his altar, or, more likely, that he thought God would bless him in everything he did. He thought this because he had a Levite for his priest.

He saw the sudden arrival of a Levite as proof that God was pleased with him and with his images. People who are already deceived, and then find some unexpected event that helps their sinful plans, are often quick to take it as a sign of God’s approval. He also thought that if the priesthood problem was fixed, everything else was fine, even though he still kept his carved and metal image. Many people mislead themselves by making one small correction and then thinking their whole condition is good. They imagine they are as they should be because they are not as bad in one point as they once were, as if fixing one fault made up for keeping all the rest.

He also thought that making a Levite into a priest was a worthy and honorable act. In truth, it was a bold takeover of a role God had not given him, and it only added to his guilt. Pride, ignorance, and self-flattery can make people not only defend, but praise and even sanctify, the boldest acts of sin. Micah had far more reason to fear God’s curse, since he had drawn one of God’s own tribe into idol worship. Yet even for that, he hoped God would do him good.

He also assumed that having a Levite in his house would naturally bring him God’s favor. Carnal hearts, meaning hearts ruled by fleshly desires rather than faith, often build too much on outward privileges. They think God will surely bless them because they have godly parents, live in praying households, belong to the circle of good people, or sit under faithful preaching. But all of that is only like having a Levite as priest. It gives no safety at all, unless they themselves are good and use those advantages well.