The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 170

mother, and so she straightway blesses whom she had cursed (cf. James iii. 10). Only 200 shekels are actually approrriated to the end proposed. II. ITs MOTIVES. Apparently the warding off of the curse is the first concern with both. But an equally powerful motive was the securing of the gain resulting from fees and gifts. In this way they would become rich. Where the aim is selfish and impure, the character of the worship becomes of secondary consequence and the latent tendency towards idolatry begins to show itself. It is the motive 'that is of chief concern in questions of religion. Everything else will be dominated by this: " Is it for self, or is the glory of God my chief aim? " Founders of churches and religious institutions, and candidates for the ministry, should examine themselves ere they are committed to the work upon which they have set their hearts. III. THE COMPLEXION OF THE WORSHIP. It is a "house of gods,, containing a "graven image and a molten image," an ephod, and ternphim, which is the outcome of their religious or superstitious zeal In its nature eclectic. in the crudest sense of the word, this system of religious worship is on the face of· it a sacred means to a vulgar, secular end. The house became a place of irregular worship, of sooth- saying and divination . . IV.. THE INSTRI!MENT OF THEIR ~ES_IGNS. A so;1 is the fi~t expedient in the direction of a priesthood; but this 1s not considered sufficiently authoritative. Accident throws in the way a young Levite of Bethlehem-judah, who appears to have taken to e. wandering life through discontent, curiosity, idleness, or restlessness. A shiftless, unscrupulous, easily impressible character, in a needy condition, and with the Levitical status, just the fitting occupant of such an office. The undue influence of Micah is thus secured permanently. Promising that he should be a " father and a priest," and receive clothing, board, and "ten shekels" wages, to the needy ad- venturer "making his way " he thus becomes patron; and the promised standing of the priest relatively to Micah is soon reversed-be " was unto him as one of bis sons." The consecration too is from Micah. The good and the evil of patronage, private and otherwise, in religion; the dependence of the ministry-" like people like priest;" the question of "consecration" and "orders." V. THE SUPERSTITIOUS PRESUMPTION OF FALSE RELIGION. There is the more care as to the external ritual, the priestly "succession," &c. in proportion to the earthliness of the underlying motive. 1. Where the heart is wrong undue reliance is placed upon externals in religwn. The priest's advantage of descent was vitiated by his becoming a mercenary and a schismatic. Rites and ceremonies are multiplied in default of the "Presence " at Shiloh and its t1imple service. The error is in placing the virtue in the external observances instead of the reality of worship, purity of life and motive, and the presence of the Spirit of God. Romanism has been defined as "a system of position and imposition, or of posture and imposture." 2. Jehovah is supposed to countenance a religwn whuh is essentially opposed to him. God cannot take rank or be associated with other gods. His glory mll8t be the chief object of the worshipper, the priest, and the patron. Selfish aims, disobedience to his clearly-revealed will concerning bis service and Church, can never receive bis blessing. Yet observe the self-deception of Micah. He does not see all this, or the evils soon to come upon him. On the other band, "the pure in heart" shall see God. His presence is independent of the external completeness, &c. of ritual. True priesthood is a Divine unction, and not a human monopoly.-M. Vers. 1-4.-.Avarice and superstitwn. The story of Micah and his mother illus· /:·ates the strange blending of avarice and superstition which may be observed in those people who have lowered themselves to a worldly habit of life without entirely !using the influence of religion. 1. WHEN RELIGION BINKS IN1'0 SUPERSTITION, 1TB UNWORLDLY SPIRIT 18 QUENCHED A~D AVARIOE 1s UNRESTRAINED. The religion of Israel is now most degraded, and one result of its degradation is seen in a correspondnig lowering of morality. Great devotion to a superstitious religious system is not incompatible with a very low tone oi: moral life. 1. This is seen in the avarice of Micah's motlier, (1) Tempting to deception, if not complete dishonesty, on the part of the son, (2) giving rise to wiseewly temper and blind cursing on her own side, and (3) to a mean and unworthy Otr. XVII. 1-13.] TR:E: BOOK OF JUDGES. 183