Topical Bible: Conscience of Micah, After Stealing

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The account of Micah, found in the Book of Judges, provides a profound insight into the workings of conscience in the context of theft and idolatry. Micah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim, is introduced in Judges 17. The narrative begins with Micah confessing to his mother that he had stolen eleven hundred pieces of silver from her, which she had previously cursed upon its disappearance. Upon his confession, his mother blesses him, saying, "The LORD bless you, my son!" (Judges 17:2).

Micah's conscience is initially pricked by the curse his mother uttered, prompting him to return the stolen silver. This act of confession and restitution indicates an awareness of wrongdoing and a desire to make amends, reflecting the biblical principle that a guilty conscience seeks reconciliation and forgiveness. The return of the silver is a pivotal moment, demonstrating the internal conflict between sin and the moral law written on the heart, as described in Romans 2:15.

Despite this initial act of repentance, Micah's subsequent actions reveal a compromised conscience. His mother consecrates the returned silver to the LORD, yet she uses it to create a carved image and a cast idol, which Micah places in his house. He establishes a shrine, makes an ephod and household gods, and installs one of his sons as a priest (Judges 17:3-5). This syncretism illustrates a conscience that, while aware of wrongdoing, is not fully aligned with the commandments of God, particularly the prohibition against idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5).

Micah's actions reflect a broader theme in the period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). His conscience, though initially responsive to guilt, becomes dulled by cultural and personal compromise. The narrative suggests that a conscience not continually informed and guided by divine revelation can become desensitized, leading to further moral and spiritual decline.

The account of Micah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a seared conscience. It underscores the importance of aligning one's conscience with the truth of God's Word and the necessity of genuine repentance that leads to a transformed life. Micah's initial response to his conscience's prompting is overshadowed by his subsequent actions, which reveal a heart not fully surrendered to the Lord.

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Judges 17:2
And he said to his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, about which you cursed, and spoke of also in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be you of the LORD, my son.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Duty and Superstition
... Micah vi.6-8. Wherewith shall I come before the ... That conscience, that soul's eye
of thine, God has regenerated ... merely what will be good for thee after thou diest ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon vii duty and superstition.htm

Chapter xxxv
... the present situation had contributed to stir his conscience. ... for shepherds, was,
according to Micah 4:8 ... as Rachel's "handmaid," she is now after Rachel's death ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... before us, as well as in that of Micah, and most ... and yet is cherished, and excused
to the conscience and before ... will there be any effort of man after holiness. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... the present situation had contributed to stir his conscience. ... for shepherds, was,
according to Micah 4:8 ... as Rachel's "handmaid," she is now after Rachel's death ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... of the life, the question put to the Godward conscience. ... 4059] promised him to God,
and after his birth ... which the Devil also comes in, stealing worship from ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

A vindication of Gospel Truths Opened,
... as if it were their proper trade, and calling, to hunt after the same ... I shall at
this time forbear, having in some measure discharged my conscience according to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a vindication of gospel truths.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... (Micah 1:5 ... Sin will endeavour to defile the mind, to defile the conscience, to defile ...
delights, and sweetnesses are enticing, and he that hankers after these is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... performance of DUTIES, and so satisfiest thy conscience, then also ... him cry out with
a longing after it, 'O ... And again (Micah 5:2), 'But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... that will not stick to tell lie after lie, though ... was to no purpose, let father and
conscience say what ... that this his manner of pilfering and stealing was no ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... and tormented conscience, and it can neither cheer up the one, nor appease the other,
least of all can they deliver from, or yield comfort after death; those ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm