What does Judges 17:10 mean?
Religion is clearly important to Micah. He has a flawed, confused belief in the power of Yahweh and other gods. Not only did he fear a curse made by his mother, but he also wanted a blessing from her. That resulted in making a few carved images to place in his home, possibly for his protection (Judges 17:1–4). The prior passage also described a shrine in Micah's house. There, he keeps household gods and relics, where his son serves as a priest (Judges 17:5). Though Micah might not recognize it, all of this involves direct disobedience of the law of God, given to Moses (Exodus 20:3–17).Now Micah has met a Levite (Judges 17:7–9), a member of the tribe designated to serve as priests and spiritual leaders over Israel (Numbers 3:5–10). Later, we will learn that this young man is a grandson of Moses (Judges 18:30). He is looking for a place to settle. Micah sees an opportunity for them both in this meeting. Micah offers the Levite a job. Payment will be room and board, a suit of clothes, and an annual salary. The Levite's duties would be to serve as the family's personal priest. Micah includes the term "father," used here as an honorary title implying spiritual guidance (Genesis 45:8).
Any Levite raised to understand God's law should have rejected this offer immediately and without hesitation. Micah's house shrine to multiple deities was blatantly against God's most basic commands. His desire for a personal priest, applying a customized religion, was contrary to his calling as a member of the tribe of Levi. The proper response would be to confront Micah with the truth, calling him to repent and begin to serve the Lord according to God's commands (Acts 8:18–20).
Sadly, the concept explained just prior to this passage (Judges 17:6) plays out once again. Rather than following God's will, even at a basic level, this Levite takes the job, selling out his spirituality for the sake of a paycheck (Judges 17:11).