Topical Bible: Micah: An Ephraimite: His Robbery and Idolatry

◄ Micah: An Ephraimite: His Robbery and Idolatry ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Micah, an Ephraimite, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 17 and 18. His account provides a vivid illustration of the spiritual and moral decline during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by the repeated refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6).

Background and Context

Micah lived in the hill country of Ephraim, a region that was part of the tribal allotment to the descendants of Joseph's son, Ephraim. This area was central to the life of the Israelites, both geographically and spiritually, as it was near Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located during this period.

The Robbery

The narrative begins with Micah confessing to his mother that he had stolen eleven hundred pieces of silver from her. Upon his confession, his mother blesses him and dedicates the silver to the LORD to make a carved image and a cast idol (Judges 17:2-3). This act of theft and subsequent confession highlights the moral ambiguity and familial dysfunction prevalent in Israel at the time.

Idolatry and Syncretism

Micah's mother uses two hundred pieces of the silver to have an idol made, which Micah places in a shrine he constructs in his house. He also makes an ephod and household gods and installs one of his sons as a priest (Judges 17:4-5). This act of creating a private shrine and appointing a non-Levitical priest underscores the syncretism and deviation from the Mosaic Law, which prescribed worship solely at the Tabernacle and restricted the priesthood to the descendants of Aaron.

The Levite's Arrival

A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, seeking a place to stay, arrives at Micah's house. Micah offers him the position of priest, providing him with a salary, clothing, and sustenance (Judges 17:7-10). The Levite's acceptance of this role further illustrates the spiritual confusion of the time, as he forsakes his Levitical duties for personal gain and convenience.

The Danite Invasion

The account takes a significant turn when men from the tribe of Dan, seeking territory to settle, come across Micah's house. They recognize the voice of the young Levite and inquire about his presence there. The Danites, impressed by the Levite's role and the presence of the idols, decide to take the idols, the ephod, and the Levite with them as they conquer the city of Laish (Judges 18:1-27).

Micah's Protest and Loss

Micah, realizing his idols and priest have been taken, pursues the Danites. However, he is powerless against their numbers and strength. The Danites dismiss his protests, and Micah returns home empty-handed (Judges 18:22-26). This episode highlights the futility and instability of idolatry, as well as the lawlessness that pervaded Israel during this era.

Spiritual Implications

Micah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the abandonment of God's commandments. It reflects the broader theme of Israel's spiritual decline during the time of the Judges, where personal and tribal interests often superseded devotion to the LORD. The narrative underscores the need for adherence to God's law and the centralization of worship, which would later be established under the monarchy and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 17:1
And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 18:1
In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index