Judges 17:13

Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

Is it not astonishing that Micah should look for good from the hand of Cod, while was thus doing evil? But, alas! How doth sin harden the heart and deceive the soul. So much so (saith the prophet) that man is not able to deliver his soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand. See the whole on this subject. Isaiah 44:9

REFLECTIONS

My soul! pass over all lesser considerations in the perusal of this chapter, to drop a tear over Israel's degeneracy, in setting up idols in their houses; and the corruption of the sacred order of the Levites, in acting as priests of the same. Is this Israel before whom the Lord God manifested such wonders, and to whom the Lord shewed such distinguishing grace? Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice: lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Blessed be God! the day is come, the fountain is opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness, when the Lord hath cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and in which the Lord hath promised, that the prophets and the unclean spirit shall pass out of the land. Oh precious Jesus! thou Prince of the tribe of Levi, give us pastors after thine own heart, and let not thy faithful servants be obliged to wander to seek places, much less be content to prostitute, their sacred order for a piece of silver, and for a morsel of bread. Oh! make them more anxious to win souls than to gain kingdoms. Let the salvation of sinners in thy blood and righteousness be the sole object of their work, and here may they labor night and day in thy word and doctrine. And do thou bless them, gracious Lord, in their ministry; and when thou the Chief Shepherd shall appear, may they obtain that crown of glory which fadeth not away.