Today you should read: Judges 17
The book of Judges is a tough book to get through. The amount of disobedience throughout the book is hard to swallow at times. Chapter 17 is no exception. It is riddled with idolatry and what is hard not to describe as stupidity. The irony of Micah’s name alone is pretty crazy. His name means “who is like Yahweh.” He carries a name that says that he is like God and yet he lives in disobedience to God and with his focus on idols rather than God.
Micah has his own house of gods, and goes as far as making his own son the priest. It says that this is a result of the lack of any true leadership. The people are leading themselves and are accountable to no one. Then the Levite comes into the picture, and Micah thinks that he can certainly gain favor with the Lord by making him a priest in addition to his son. In all that he is doing wrong, he does something else wrong thinking that it is better and right.
How often do we find ourselves in very similar situations? At first glance many might say never, but think through this. As followers of Jesus we are called Christians meaning “little Christ.” With that title we very often create idols in our life. If you want to have a good measure of whether you have an idol or not, ask yourself a few questions. Do I give it more time than I give God? Do I care more about it than I care about God? Do I think about it more than I think about God? Do I love it more than I love God? If you answer yes to these questions it is a pretty good indication that you have an idol problem. Micah had an idol problem, and instead of repentance he chose to “fix” it himself, which leads him farther away. We often do the same thing. We are far from God, but instead of humbling ourselves, seeking council and turning back to God we choose to “figure things out” on our own. Then we end up even farther away just like Micah.
How similar are you to Micah?
Do you have idols in your life that need to be destroyed?
Do you need to turn back to God and seek wisdom and accountability?
By: Dakota Gragg — Student Ministry Associate
JumpstartCPC.com 
Thanks Dakota! I can’t help but notice the irony that their idea of “consecrating the silver to the Lord” was to craft another idol out of it. At first glance it may seem silly, but today we are surrounded by people to do this very thing; acknowledge the existence, and possibly even the truth of Jesus/the Lord, but as “one of many good figures” who all seem to be exalted together on a level playing field.
Truthfully, I struggle with how to engage in spiritual conversations with people who believe in multiple truths. On one hand they don’t necessarily disagree that Jesus lived and is who he says he is, but on the other hand they won’t grant him exclusivity.