tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249068871996391766.post2806539830625666498..comments2023-04-04T03:14:52.604-07:00Comments on Thinking about it too much: Devotionals: "Do not trust a neighbor"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249068871996391766.post-34880083883443523142013-01-10T11:35:36.759-08:002013-01-10T11:35:36.759-08:00In terms of what was going on in that day, I think...In terms of what was going on in that day, I think some deep research may need to be done. However, in terms of how that reflects in your life day-in and day-out right now, I think you nailed it pretty darned close. :)Jerry Hanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428521887453455824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249068871996391766.post-65576319411439082992013-01-09T21:51:17.225-08:002013-01-09T21:51:17.225-08:00I think this needs to be taken in context as well,...I think this needs to be taken in context as well, and in that context you'll be more confident in your analysis. Micah as been prophesying yet another round of 'you're going to get squished, conquered, and it's going to suck if you don't shape up'. Mixed in are several deliverance passages (including some that are Messianic). Then back to God's legal case against Isreal (Lying, cheating, stealing, extortion, violence, fraud, bribery, etc.)<br /><br />My translation does not use the word hope. It translates verse seven (New Living Translation) "As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me."<br /><br />So corruption's running rampant... and he is confident, not just wishful but confident about God's actions and support.<br /><br />I think Micah is emphasizing how deep the problems are running. These are the closest relationships possible. "Friend" in mine is "Best Friend". The word 'Dishonors' for the son's actions is 'despises'. I think between the two translations we can get a good feel for what the original language was trying to say. So if a son 'dishonors' or 'dispises' his father and these close family ties. These are not people we can put full confidence in. As you said sooner or later they're always going to come up short one way or another, even when things aren't as dire as they were in Micah's time. Humans will let you down, no matter how hard they try. God won't. We may not understand what he does all the time, but we can put much more confidence in God than in people.<br /><br />I'm not sure it's implicit in this passage, but you do make a good point that it is a bad idea to expect people to live up to God's trustworthiness. Not because they mean to harm or be untrustworthy but because humans are far less than perfect.<br /><br />Hopefully I didn't mangle that too badly.<br /><br />~HeatherWolf-Eyed Angelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569001308871602994noreply@blogger.com