The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.—Judges 17:5-6
As I read about Micah I can’t help but think back to when my sister and I were young and would make pretend set ups down our basement. Sometimes it was a schoolroom, sometimes an office, maybe even once or twice a church or a Catholic confessional. 😀My girls, when they were young, would play similarly with Playmobiles It is like Micah here is playing “church” and is collecting all the outward trappings needed and setting it all up to his own liking and subject to his control. He has his own private place of worship...His own priest and His own “way” to worship.
Know this Peter warns:
no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.—2 Peter 2:20-21
Jesus said this in response to the woman at the well…
The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Beloved…Truly, there is a way that seems right to man but its end is the way of death. We are to worship the God of the Bible…the true and living God and not a God of our own imagination. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him.
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:14-17
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.—2 Timothy 4:1-5
