Micah and the Silver Shekels - August 17

Today’s Readings:  AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48; Judges 17:1-13; Acts 7:44-8:1a; John 5:19-29

I hear in today’s readings an invitation and challenge to speak and receive truth with generosity. In Acts, the soon-to-be-martyred Stephen speaks honestly about the repeated refusal of the Hebrew people to submit to the power and law of God. (Spoiler alert: it doesn’t go well.) In the reading from John, Jesus repeats the phrase “very truly, I tell you” multiple times, signaling his audience to pay attention to truth his hearers need to receive. (The ending here is evolving, as Jesus keeps calling each of us to listen and believe.) And then, there is the reading from Judges.

In this ancient story from the 17th chapter of Judges, a man named Micah confesses to his mother: he has stolen 1,100 pieces of silver from her and now is returning them. We don’t get a lot of other context here to understand Micah’s genesis, except for, “There was a man in the hill country of Ephraim…”. So, I find myself wondering, how did Micah start that conversation with his mom? Coming clean about a wrongdoing, egregious or not, does not come easily. Did he agonize over the words to say? Was he paralyzed with fear? What possible responses did he expect from his mother?

As my mind is spinning about their relationship dynamics, I am reminded of story: A school-aged child took a toy from the church and passed it off as her own, until the truth came out. When confronted, she lied…because, let’s face it: coming clean about a wrongdoing does not come easily. Her parents brought her to see the minister, to tell the truth and return the trinket. Tears running down her cheeks and eyes downcast, the girl was quaking as she handed over the doll and stammered through a confession. The priest looked only at the girl (not her parents), receiving her truth with grace and generosity. There was no shaming, no chastising. After a moment of silence, the minister thanked the girl for her honesty and told her she had done a hard and right thing. Down the road, there could be other temptations that had bigger, life-altering consequences, and so the priest invited her to remember the feeling of being honest in that moment…to hold onto that. Just when the conversation was about to end, the priest said this: “Virginia, you have told the truth, and you are forgiven. Now you get to forgive yourself.”

In today’s odd and somewhat obscure story in Judges, Micah’s mother receives the 28 pounds of silver (and his confession) with a similar level of gratitude and generosity. She responds, “May my son be blessed by the LORD!” as he returns the stolen goods. While we do not hear more of their exchange, what stands out for me is this: Micah’s honest revelation of truth – albeit hard – is met with forgiveness and reconciliation. (And yes, I did note the remainder of the passage which talks about an idol being cast out of the returned silver…the Bible is wonderfully complicated, isn’t it!?)

Today, let us take these lessons from Micah and his mother: speak honestly when we have wronged another and accept truth with generosity.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

How are you at sharing truth? How are you at hearing or receiving truth from someone else? Do you do one better than the other?

Daily Challenge

Think of a truth you've been keeping to yourself, whether burdensome or enlightening. Pray about entrusting that truth with someone who will receive it generously. Make a plan to share it.