The Levite was Micah’s priest. He knew this, and his answer to the men of Dan does not hide this fact. When he told them what Micah had done for him, he said, “He has hired me and I am his priest.”

In spite of the fact that he was Micah’s priest, and not God’s priest, they still asked him to inquire of God to learn if their journey would be successful. They were using him the way people today use fortunetellers and horoscopes. If they were being intellectually honest, they already knew that what they were doing was contrary to God’s plan for the tribe of Dan.

It is easy to understand people choosing to disobey God. Disobedience is not smart, but it does not require self-deception. Being disobedient to God’s will, and at the same time denying the truth of your disobedience, while attempting to convince yourself that God approves, involves a level of self-deception that I have trouble comprehending.

The priest answered the question in a way that should have caused them to ask more questions. His answer is no where near as simple and clear-cut as the NIV translation makes it seem. The NIV is not alone in this. The English translations of this verse have some of the widest variations I have encountered. Few translations use a literal translation. The Hebrew literally says “Before Yahweh is your course on which you are going.” Most translators attempt to capture the meaning of what the priest said, but there is no agreement on what that meaning is. He told them that God saw their actions and their journey, but he does not say if God approves or disapproves of their actions. The men of Dan should have asked the priest to clarify. They did not; they wanted to believe God approved.

They were wrong. Got always sees us, but He does not always approve. God’s approval does not come from following the words of earthly priests. God’s approval is for those who live by God’s word.