Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. 6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. – Judges 17:5-6
Everyone in Israel did as they saw fit. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
There was great spiritual confusion and sin in Israel. And the story of Micah (not prophet Micah) recorded in chapters 17 and 18 of Judges, is one such example. Micah stole 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother and then returned it to her. His mother blessed her son for returning the money, though he had originally taken it. Now ten shekels was a year’s adequate wage (v10). Therefore, 1,100 shekels was a great fortune.
Micah’s mother directs that a part of the money be used to make an image for worship. And so, Micah makes a shrine and makes an ephod. He even appoints his own personal priest for the worship. He thought he was pleasing God by all this (v13).
But Micah did wrong. He made some household gods. God strictly forbids idols. Idol worship stands against the very first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3). Micah also chose to worship God the way he thought right, rather than how God wants to be worshipped.
Idols need not only be gravened images. Idols can be religious activities or even just good deeds. God calls us to worship Him the way He commands. And the Bible says, God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in truth and in spirit (John 4:24).
What in your life is keeping you from worshipping God, in truth and in spirit?
Lord, teach me to worship you the way you command, I pray.
Extended Reading — Judges 16-18
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