Judges 17: As the Israelites moved farther and farther away from Yahweh, people began to look for other means to bring them success. Unfortunately, the principle of pursuing God’s kingdom and his righteousness has taken a back seat. Meet Micah, whose name means “who is like God,” as an example. He lived in a time when Israel had no king, and each man did what he considered right. He lived just a stone’s throw from the tent of God in Shiloh, but God’s word and principles were far from his memories of a holy lifestyle. Instead, if someone stole from you and you had the opportunity to steal back, it was rewarded with words of affirmation. How far they have fallen to have forgotten the Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.” [Ex 20:15] Micah steals, but instead of being corrected, his mother “blesses” him and has an idol made to honor his treachery.

Next, we wonder why a Levite has left his home in Bethlehem, and he is looking for a place to stay. Micah bribes him with ten pieces of silver per year, but that loyalty only lasted until a better offer came along.

When God is absent, men do what is right in their own eyes. [Judges 17:6] Men think having something tangible will make them more holy. They look to the visible when the invisible attributes of God are clearly visible in creation. [Rom 1:20]