A Sword

 

Photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

Matthew 10:34-36 in the New Testament is related to a prophecy proclaimed against the Israelites by the prophet Micah in the Old Testament.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’’ – Matthew 10: 34-36

So, what Jesus is saying in these two verses speaks to a much broader picture than what we see on the surface.

This was part of Jesus’ discourse in preparing His disciples to go out into a world where they will undoubtedly encounter disagreeable persons within their own community who wanted to hear nothing about denouncing sin and seeking forgiveness and repentance.

We can agree that Jesus used very divisive language in His discourse aimed at households but from Micah we see that it was also aimed at an entire nation.

Do not trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a close friend. Guard your lips
From her who lies in your arms. For son disavows father, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A person’s enemies are the people of his own household. – Micah 7:5-6 (NASB)

Now, from as early as age five, the disciples would have started to memorize Scripture so that Jesus’ words, quoted from Micah’s prophecy, would have been familiar to them.

Jesus, as Rabbi, was utilizing the power of recall with His disciples who, from the mention of a few lines from Scripture, could complete the remainder of the verse or passage.

We see in Micah chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, that Micah was concerned about the social injustice, cruelty and evil being perpetrated.

Listen, you rulers of Israel! You are supposed to be concerned about justice, yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. – Micah 3:1-2 (GNT)

The people were breaking their covenant with God; they flouted His laws and persisted in doing evil.  

Corruption was so rampant in Micah’s day that God proclaimed that He would ruin the people; it was an indictment against them.

I will make you sick, striking you down, Making you desolate because of your sins. You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, And your filth will be in your midst. You will try to remove valuables for safekeeping, But you will not save it all, And what you do save I will turn over to the sword. – Micah 6:14 (NASB)

Quoting the prophet, Jesus was showing His disciples that from Micah’s time to their time corruption was still present in their own community, within their midst.

This was Old Testament but the fact that Jesus alluded to it means that it remained relevant in those days and it is still relevant even now.

And what it is telling us is that Jesus will bring a sword to everything the corrupt try to keep for themselves and it will cause division between those who believe, trust and obey God and those who continue with their corrupt behaviour which encompasses injustice, oppression of the poor and marginalized, evil deeds, unbelief, preaching for a price, bribery and disobedience to God.

For the inherently corrupt, God further promises that the time is coming when you will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer you. He will not listen to your prayers, for you have done evil. (Micah 3:4 GNT)

But for you and me beloved, as Jesus’ disciples, His followers, all is not lost for we too have a promise from God,

But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. – Micah 7:7 (NASB)

Upon hearing the words quoted from Micah, the disciples would have recalled the entire passage including this wonderful promise that they could cling to as they went out to perform the mission and you can do the same. It is a promise of hope.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A Sword” ©2026 January 16, 2026