JUDGES LESSON 19
We will begin this lesson in Judges 17:1 "And there was a man of
mount Ephraim, whose name [was] Micah."
This is a study of a man who is self-willed. He is a man that
does not go by the rules. He does what is right in his own sight.
Micah is the man we are talking about.
Judges 17:2 "And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred
[shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou
cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is]
with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the
LORD, my son."
It appears from this, his mother was very indulgent of this son.
Someone had taken 1,100 shekels of silver from her and she had spoken
a curse upon that person. She had no idea that it was her own son, who
had taken the silver. At least, he admits that he took it, and gives
it back to her. The mother is so pleased with her sons' confession,
that she now speaks a blessing on her son from the LORD. These were
people who knew of God. This was a Hebrew family.
Judges 17:3 "And when he had restored the eleven hundred
[shekels] of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly
dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a
graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto
thee."
God had forbidden making graven images and molten images. This is
a strange way to worship God. This is similar to much that is going on
in many churches today. They have a form of Christianity, but there is
so much of the world caught up in the services, that the Lord Jesus
would not recognize the worship. This seems to be a feel good
religion. The mother and Micah are doing what is right in their own
sight. They have mixed idol worship with the worship of God. These
people wanted all the benefits that God could give them, but they were
not faithful to Him. They worshipped idols and false gods, along with
the worship of Jehovah.
Judges 17:4 "Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his
mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the
founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they
were in the house of Micah."
This is a breaking of the ten commandments. She seemed to think
these idols had some power to protect her son. She gave them to Micah
for his house.
Judges 17:5 "And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an
ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his
priest."
It appears, this mother wanted her son to be protected by the
gods. These graven images were just an addition to all the other
things in her son's house. An ephod is what a high priest wears in the
carrying out of his duties in the temple. It appears, this woman and
her son wanted all the blessings of God. They just had some of the
false gods around, to make sure they had the power of all of them.
Their faith was not in the One True God. As far as they were
concerned, he was one of many. All of this is speaking of keeping just
the portion of the law that suited them, and dropping all the rest.
Their desire was to have their own personal priest, that they could
control. They did not want to go to the place that God had chosen for
worshipping Him. The worship of Jehovah was done here, but it had a
corrupt side to it with the idols.
Judges 17:6 "In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but]
every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes."
We do not know the time setting for this. We do know that it was
sometime before Saul was made king. There really were no definite
rules. They just did what felt right to them to do. You cannot trust
your flesh. It will lead you into sin.
Judges 17:7 "And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah
of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there."
This is speaking of Bethlehem in the land of Judah. If a man were
a Levite, he could not be of the family of Judah. I believe this is
saying, he was a Levite, who had been living in a city in the area of
the inheritance of Judah. He would have been of Judah, like I am an
American. America is made up of people of many nations. It seemed,
this Levite moved from Bethlehem to the city where Micah lived.
Judges 17:8 "And the man departed out of the city from Beth-
lehem-judah to sojourn where he could find [a place]: and he came to
mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed."
We are not told why he departed. Perhaps, like many a young
person, he just wanted some adventure in his life.
Judges 17:9 "And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he
said unto him, I [am] a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to
sojourn where I may find [a place]."
Micah inquires of him where he is going, and the man tells him he
is looking for a new home. He, also, explains that he is of the tribe
of Levi, and had been living in Bethlehem.
Judges 17:10 "And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto
me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten [shekels] of silver
by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite
went in."
He does not want him to be his physical father. He is speaking of
the Levite being his spiritual leader. He wants this Levite to be his
personal priest. Micah offers to give him a living to be his priest.
The Levite agrees to the wages, and stays with Micah as his priest.
Judges 17:11 "And the Levite was content to dwell with the man;
and the young man was unto him as one of his sons."
The Levite seemed to be happy with his wages, and he taught Micah
as a father would do.
Judges 17:12 "And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man
became his priest, and was in the house of Micah."
This just means there was a dedication service, to dedicate the
Levite as the priest.
Judges 17:13 "Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do
me good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest."
Even though Micah was not worshipping in the way he should have,
he still recognized the Levitical tribe as the leaders of the
religious aspect of their lives.
To me, this shows the futility of a man-made religion. It, also,
shows the uselessness of worshipping, if you do not worship the One
True God and Him alone. A minister should not accept a job as a leader
of a church for just the monetary benefits. A minister should be
consecrated by God, and not by his people he is to minister to. It
appears that, Micah, and his mother, wanted to be saved, but they did
not trust one God to do it. They were superstitous and taking no
chances. They did not place their faith entirely in the One Ture God.
Judges 19 Questions
1. What is this lesson a study of?
2. He does what is right in ________ _______ sight.
3. How many shekels of silver had been stolen from Micah's mother?
4. What had she said about the one that took it?
5. Who had taken it?
6. What did his mother do, when he gave it back?
7. What had she dedicated the money to?
8. What did she hire someone to do with 200 shekels of the silver?
9. How does the author relate this to Christian activity today?
10. Micah had an house of ________.
11. What were some of the things he had made for this house?
12. Who became priest?
13. Who wears an ephod?
14. What was wrong with this worship in Micah's house?
15. Quote Judges chapter 17 verse 6.
16. When did all of this happen?
17. What is meant by Beth-lehem-judah"
18. If a man were a Levite, he could ______ be of the tribe of Judah.
19. What is this saying, then?
20. Why had the young Levite left home?
21. Who did he tell Micah he was?
22. What did Micah offer him, to get him to stay?
23. Did the Levite accept the offer?
24. Who consecrated the Levite?
25. Why did Micah think the LORD would do him good?
26. What is wrong with this?
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