Topical Bible: Parents: Bad - Exemplified: Mother of Micah

◄ Parents: Bad - Exemplified: Mother of Micah ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The account of Micah and his mother is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 17. This narrative provides an example of poor parental influence and its consequences, highlighting the spiritual and moral decline during the period of the Judges.

Context and Background

The account of Micah and his mother occurs during a time in Israel's history characterized by a lack of centralized leadership and widespread idolatry. Judges 17:6 notes, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This period was marked by moral relativism and a departure from the covenantal laws given to Israel.

The Narrative

The account begins with Micah confessing to his mother that he had taken 1,100 pieces of silver from her, which she had previously cursed. Upon his confession, his mother responds not with discipline or correction, but with a blessing: "The LORD bless you, my son!" (Judges 17:2). This response sets the tone for the spiritual confusion and misguided priorities that follow.

Micah's mother then dedicates the silver to the LORD, ostensibly for religious purposes, but her actions reveal a syncretistic approach to worship. She gives 200 pieces of silver to a silversmith to make a carved image and a cast idol, which were then placed in Micah's house (Judges 17:3-4). This act directly contravenes the commandments against idolatry found in Exodus 20:4-5.

Parental Influence and Spiritual Consequences

The mother of Micah exemplifies a failure to instill a proper understanding of God's commandments in her son. Instead of guiding him towards repentance and adherence to the covenant, she facilitates his idolatry. Her actions demonstrate a lack of discernment and a compromised faith, which ultimately lead to further spiritual decay.

Micah's household becomes a center of idolatrous worship, complete with a shrine, an ephod, and household gods. He even appoints one of his sons as a priest, further illustrating the breakdown of proper worship and priestly order as prescribed in the Mosaic Law (Judges 17:5).

Broader Implications

The account of Micah and his mother serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of parental influence on the spiritual direction of a household. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the dangers of syncretism and moral compromise. The narrative reflects the broader theme of the Book of Judges, where the absence of godly leadership leads to chaos and idolatry.

In summary, the mother of Micah is an example of a parent whose actions and decisions contribute to spiritual waywardness, highlighting the critical role of parents in guiding their children according to biblical principles.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 17:3
And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... you seemed to hint he had from his father and mother. ... is not only a want of that,
but bad examples enough ... of lying was a great grief to his parents, for their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... that dreamed of greater honour, but behold a gallows; or our mother Eve, who ... thou,
it may be, either through ignorance or carelessness, which is as bad, if not ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... in his youth "God put it into my parents hearts to ... children of the kingdom of God,
but the bad are the ... shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm