Micah’s idol

Now here’s a story I’ve never heard before so I’ll tell it like there is.

There was a man called Micah. From the hill country of Ephraim.

Micah to his mum: You know that 1100 silver shekels that were taken from you – I heard you swear, you know! – well, I have them back.

Mum: Bless you, my son.

She took 200 of the shekels and had them made into an idol to put in her son’s house. He had a shrine and got an ephod, some household gods and appointed one of his sons as a priest.

Because – and this phrase comes up an awful lot in the next few chapters –

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.  Judges 17:6

A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah was travelling around looking for a place to stay.

Micah: Where are you from?

Levite: I’m from Bethlehem in Judah and I’m looking for a place to stay.

Micah: OK, you can stay here. I’ll pay you to be our priest. I’ll give you 10 silver shekels a year and clothes and food and a roof over your head. Because you are here, a Levite as my priest, I know God will be good to me.

In those days, the tribe of Dan were still looking for a place to settle. They sent five men ahead of them to survey the land. When they get near Micah’s house, they recognise the Levite’s voice.

Men: What are you doing here?

Levite: I live here and work here now.

Men: Right, well, ask God if our journey is going to be successful.

Levite: Go in peace. Your journey has God’s approval.

They came across Laish, where the people lived in peace and safety and prospered. They went home to report on what they had seen.

Danites: How was it?

The 5 men: Amazing! Come on, let’s go! Let’s attack them. They’re not suspecting a thing. And the land is perfect, just what we need.

So 600 Danites made the journey and passed by Micah’s house.

The 5 men: Hold up a minute! Did you know there’s a guy here with household gods, an ephod and a silver idol? You know what to do.

So they went and took all these items from Micah’s home.

Levite: What on earth do you think you’re doing?

The 5 men: Be quiet. Come with us. Wouldn’t it be better to be priest to a whole tribe rather than just one man?

Levite: Sure would!

Micah and his neighbours pursued the Danites.

Danites: What’s wrong with you? Why are you starting on us?

Micah: You took my things. What do I have left? Why are you even asking that?

Danites: Don’t argue with us. Some of you will end up getting hurt. Go home.

So they did.

The Danites attacked Laish and settled there. They renamed it Dan and set up Micah’s idol and Moses’ grandson Jonathan and his son became the priests.

Israel is really in decline…..just look at this story – stealing, lying, bullying, worshipping other gods….what can I say? It gets worse.

Recorded later, with the benefit of hindsight, this decline is blamed on the fact that Israel still did not have a king. The nation was certainly lacking a strong moral just leader like Moses or Joshua to hold things together. Left to their own devices, the people were quick to take on the traditions of the people they were living amongst and their standards started slipping. They employed a DIY approach to religion and thought they could pick and mix, mix and match according to what suited them. They had forgotten that there is only one true God. They had got distracted. They were on a slippery slope.

See, there is a lesson for us all there. What is distracting you right now?