“And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.”
Context:The book of Judges is set in the period after Joshua’s death, when the Israelites had entered the Promised Land but were still grappling with various challenges. The book of Judges chronicles a cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance.
The Setting:Judges 17 describes an incident involving a man named Micah and his mother. Micah confesses to his mother that he took 1,100 shekels of silver from her, which she had dedicated to the Lord. However, Micah’s mother decides to restore the silver to him, and he uses it to make a graven image and a molten image, setting up a shrine in his house.
The Significance of the Silver:In ancient Israel, the shekel was a unit of currency. Micah’s mother had dedicated this silver to the Lord, intending it for a holy purpose. However, rather than using it for its intended purpose, Micah and his mother misappropriate the silver to create idols.
Violation of God’s Law:The making of graven images and molten images was strictly prohibited by God’s commandments. The second commandment in Exodus 20:4-5 (KJV) states, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.”
The Problem of Idolatry:Micah’s actions reflect the prevalent problem of idolatry during that time. Idol worship was a constant temptation for the Israelites, leading them away from the worship of the true God. By creating and worshiping these idols, Micah and his mother were engaging in idolatry, violating God’s commands and compromising their faithfulness to Him.
Spiritual Implications:Micah’s actions demonstrate a lack of true devotion to God and a disregard for His commands. They sought to manipulate religious practices for their own desires rather than genuinely seeking a relationship with the Lord. This incident serves as a warning against superficial religiosity and highlights the importance of wholehearted devotion to God.
Application:As believers, we can learn from this passage by examining our own hearts and ensuring that our worship and devotion are centered on God alone. It’s crucial to guard against the allure of idolatry in its various forms, such as placing material possessions, personal ambitions, or worldly desires above our love and commitment to God.
In summary, Judges 17:3 depicts a violation of God’s commandments and highlights the prevalence of idolatry during the time of the Judges. It serves as a reminder to prioritize genuine devotion to God and to guard against the allure of idolatry in our own lives.
