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Daily Devotions

Micah

Micah 
Day 
Day 82

"A man's enemies are the men of his own household"

Text: Micah 7:6

THE CONTEXT OF THE FAMILY

Micah went on to give sound advice concerning the family. The advice given here must be understood in the context of precarious times of war.

“For son dishonours father,
Daughter rises against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.”
Micah 7:6

1. “For son dishonours father”

a) The usual love between father and son may not be very strong in times of war.
b) Hunger and fear do strange things to human beings.
c) To survive, a son may dishonor his father.
d) He may be tempted by promises of reward by enemies and thus dishonours his father.

2. “Daughter rises against her mother”

a) The same problem could arise between the mother and her daughter.
b) The usual love bond between mother and daughter may be broken in times of war.
c) The daughter may rise up against her mother for whatever reason.

3. “Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”

a) The natural bond between mother and daughter can be broken in times of war.
b) The relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is even more fragile.
c) The family can be hurt and even destroyed when the stress of war becomes very severe.

4. “A man’s enemies”

a) In normal times the enemy is the marauder.
b) Foreign nations may attempt to conquer the weaker nations.
c) The lines are very clear as to who the enemies are.

5. “Men of his own household”

a) The household in those days would extend to other relatives.
b) Living as part of the household could include:
i) Uncles and aunties
ii) Cousins
c) In times of war, the men in his own household could turn out to be “enemies”.

These words of advice would apply in the days of Micah. It is wise to choose to be safe than to be sorry.