Title: Rewarding Evil/Topic: Values

Today’s Reading: Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3

Scripture: Judges 17:1-2
1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it." Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!"

Observation: This is such a strange story! It goes to show how twisted people's values can get when a society lives with everyone doing as he sees fit with no understanding of submitting to God. This mother actually rewards her son for admitting that he stole from her! Instead of being appalled at his actions and punishing his moral depravity, she gives him back what he stole. There is no value in confession when you know it will be celebrated as a glorious thing and there will be no negative repercussions for anything bad that you did.

Application: It is a dangerous thing to honor what is dishonorable. It promotes evil and creates arrogance in people. The Bible is full of examples that are warnings to us and we need to heed them.

Prayer: Father, help us to promote true righteousness and call evil exactly what it is---evil! Thank you for the instruction in your Word. May we heed the warnings and wisdom that it contains.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.