MPV Commentary

The narrative about Micah restoring stolen money to his mother forms part of a miscellaneous collection in the Book of Judges, which takes place during a period of great disorder and corruption within the Hebrew nation.

This episode is connected to Jud 1:34 and relates to Micah's establishment of a small sanctuary, modeled after the Shiloh tabernacle. Although Micah and his mother were sincere in their intention to honor God, their faith was mixed with ignorance and delusion. Their actions, which included creating images and practicing will-worship, led them to face the penalty of death.

The two images created by Micah were a carved image made from wood or stone, plated over with silver, and a molten image formed from solid metal cast into a mold. The cost of these figures, including their pedestals and bases, was likely around 23 pounds, which would have been a significant expense in those days.

Micah had established his own private religious establishment, which he referred to as "a house of God." This domestic chapel was staffed by one of his sons, who served as the priest. However, this assumption of the priestly office by someone outside the family of Aaron was a direct violation of divine law (Nu 3:10; 16:17; De 21:5; Heb 5:4).

During this time, every man did what was right in his own eyes, as there was no one to hold them accountable. This lack of governance led to a society where crimes went unpunished.

The Levite who joined Micah's household came from the tribe of Judah through his mother and had previously wandered from place to place without a fixed provision. He eventually settled with Micah, who engaged him as a spiritual father to conduct the religious services in his establishment. In addition to his board, the Levite received a salary of ten shekels of silver per year.

Micah consecrated the Levite, but this act was unlawful for both parties involved (see Jud 18:30). The Levite's installation into the priestly office seemed to satisfy Micah's conscience that he would prosper through his actions. This expression of hope reveals a mix of ignorance and superstition.