Micah is a man from the hill country of Ephraim. He confesses to his mother that he is the one who stole money from her. She revokes the curse she had previously placed on the thief and uses the money he returns to her to build a temple to God. At this time, there is no stable governance in the land and everyone acts according to their own conscience. A young Levite seeking employment arrives in the hill country of Ephraim. Micah offers to sustain the youth if he serves as a priest in Micah’s personal sanctuary. The youngster agrees. Micah is satisfied by his reaction and interprets this incident to be the product of divine providence. Micah’s actions demonstrate that every person can overcome their vices and addictions. Every individual has the ability to recover from their bad habits and reclaim control over their lives. Negative habits are motivated by selfish desires and the pursuit of thrills and external appearances.
“In those days there was no king in Israel, butevery man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6)
“Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest” (Judges 17:13)
Moderation is using humility to make behavioral choices.
