Micah the Hebrew
It is time to read a story!
Goal:
Goal:
Read the following story to learn more about ancient Hebrew life.
My name is Micah, and I am a Hebrew. I live with my father and mother and my father’s father. My father’s brothers and their wives and children live with us as well. We work hard, and we are happy. Yahweh watches over us, and we live well.
Today, I go to the hills; tomorrow, the harvest. I wonder how life could be richer than mine. Though there is sorrow in all times, this, I believe, must be the best of all times to be living. Don’t you agree? I must go. May Yahweh bless you in all that you do.
My name is Micah, and I am a Hebrew. I live with my father and mother and my father’s father. My father’s brothers and their wives and children live with us as well. We work hard, and we are happy. Yahweh watches over us, and we live well. At night, I lie looking out through the rafters and speak to the stars. There is one spot where the clay that covers the branches has chipped away, and it is as though I have been given a window to the world outside. Sometimes, I believe that the prophets look down upon me, and I wonder what is in store for my life. I pull my kesut (outer garment) closely to myself and sing the songs my mother taught me.
Each morning, I climb down the wooden ladder to the room where my mother and sister bake our flat bread on the hearth. I rejoice at the light of day, for I know I will soon be in the fields with the sheep. I love their soft, sweet-smelling wool, and they follow me like little brothers over the hills. Soon, it will be harvest time, though, and I will help in the olive orchard. Dates and figs will appear like gifts at our table, and we will delight in their chewy goodness!
Though there is no shortage of work to be done, our family is grateful for it, for there are those who live only through begging for their bread. We have been blessed with a large family; my grandfather had many sons. His sons had many sons of their own. We live together, working the land and tending our flocks of sheep, goats, and some say we have the finest donkey around! My grandfather has made wise choices, not to live as the nomads do, traveling from one place to another, but building our homestead through daily labor. Yahweh has rewarded my grandfather with many blessings. I am learning to read. It is not necessary, I know, but I love the sounds of words. My sister, too, listens in on my lessons. She is not meant to, but I know she does. She says that someday, she will pass her learning down to her sons and daughters. We are a family, she says, and we must help one another to do our best in all things.
Today, I go to the hills; tomorrow, the harvest. I wonder how life could be richer than mine. Though there is sorrow in all times, this, I believe, must be the best of all times to be living. Don’t you agree? I must go. May Yahweh bless you in all that you do.