In Judges 17 we read how Micah had built his own private shrine and made ephod and some household gods and idols and even installed his own priest so that he could continue to worship God but in the way he wanted to. Not by God’s commands. In chapter 18 we see how the Danites went into Micah’s home and took all of his gods, the ephod, the idol and his priest. Micah even attempted to retrieve his possessions by sending out the troops.
“When they had gone some distance from Micah’s house, the men who lived near Micah were called together and overtook the Danites. As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?” He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ ” Judges 18:22-24
He asked “what else do I have?” He had put all of his faith and worship into false gods and idols and he felt he was left with nothing. Does this take place in our life? Sure it does; don’t we see this everyday, we might even have a taste of it in our life if we were to be honest. Maybe our idol isn’t made out of silver, but maybe the idol is money, or cars, or a job, sports it could even be a ministry that has been allowed to ooze over it’s boundaries and take time away from worship or family. Maybe our idol is the man we listen to every week as we sit in church. (ouch!) That one might have stepped on some toes.
We all create our own idols and gods. Honestly the time that I’m on the computer each day…let’s just say if I spent that time in God’s word my life would be richer, my marriage would be healthier, my children would be discipled in the way God commands and if I lost everything tomorrow I wouldn’t feel as if I had lost anything because no one can take away my God or my salvation.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3
It’s doubtful that Micah ever delighted in the law of the Lord, he was too busy delighting in his own laws which was easy to do when you own a personal priest. This can also be a snare for some Christians as they attempt to create their own comfort zone, a group of friends that might not hold them as accountable as they should.
Of course this is what I pulled out of today’s reading, have I missed the mark?
Father forgive me for the things I put before you. Help me to recognize these idols and gods and cast them out. I want to meditate on your word, delight in your laws and and grow deep roots faith so that I can yield fruit for your glory. Amen
Cindi
Sixty-six books in a year 
“You took the gods I made…What else do I have?” Ouch. Piercing blog that I needed to read. I stand convicted.