JUDGES 17

MICAH + THE LEVITE PRIEST

Micah, a man from Ephraim, built his own shrine and appoints his own son as a priest. God appointed the Levites or descendants of Levi to be the priests of Israel, but Micah’s son was not from the priestly tribe. Because there was no king over Israel, the people were not following God and were doing what they saw as right in their own eyes. Micah creates false gods and idols and creates his own ephod, the regal garments only worn by priests.

Micah later meets a Levite man, whom he asks to live with him and appoints as a priest. Micah believes that God will allow him to prosper because he now has a Levite serving as priest instead of his son. Micah only knows the laws of God, but does not pursue knowing God personally. Micah exemplifies the idea of wanting blessings from God without having a relationship with God and highlights the moral downfall of the Israelites.