"When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?"
In order to understand this verse in its context, let’s explore the background and surrounding passages. The Book of Judges:is set during a period of Israel’s history when the land was ruled by various judges or leaders who were raised up by God to deliver His people from oppression.
In Judges 17:we encounter the story of Micah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Micah had stolen a significant amount of silver from his mother but later confessed, returning it to her. In response, his mother dedicated the silver to the Lord and intended to make a carved image and a molten image from it. Micah used this silver to construct an idolatrous shrine in his house, appointing one of his sons as a priest.
Judges 18:introduces a new episode. The tribe of Dan, seeking to expand their territory, sent out five men from the clan of the Danites to spy out the land and find a suitable place for them to settle. These men arrived at the house of Micah and recognized the voice of the young Levite serving as a priest there. Curious about his presence, they questioned him with the words we find in Judges 18:3:
The passage indicates that the men asked the Levite a series of questions:
- "Who brought thee hither?" – The men wanted to know how the Levite ended up at Micah’s house. They were likely surprised to find him there and wanted to understand his origin and purpose.
- "What makest thou in this place?" – This question seeks to discover the Levite’s purpose or role within the context of Micah’s house. They were likely curious about his function as a priest and why he was associated with Micah.
- "What hast thou here?" – The men wanted to know what possessions or items the Levite had in his possession at Micah’s house. This inquiry may have been related to potential rewards or offerings that could be provided to the Levite in exchange for his services.
By studying this verse, we gain insights into the idolatrous practices and religious confusion prevalent during the time of the judges. The Levite’s presence at Micah’s house highlights the deviation from God’s intended worship, as he served as a priest in a shrine that was established contrary to God’s commandments.
This passage also sets the stage for the subsequent events in Judges 18:where the Danites persuade the Levite to accompany them to their own territory, stealing Micah’s idol and establishing it as the center of their own religious practices. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the spiritual decline and moral confusion that plagued the Israelites during this era.
Overall, Judges 18:3:reminds us of the importance of adhering to God’s commandments and avoiding the temptation to deviate from His prescribed forms of worship.
