Genesis 34
Bible Passage: Genesis 34
God commanded Jacob to “return to the land of your fathers and to your family” before he left Padan Aram (Gen 31:3; 32:9). It is not explicitly recorded in the Bible why didn’t Jacob return to Mamre where Issac (his family) was living until much later (Gen 35:27).
Writer Shalom also highlighted in the sharing of Genesis 33 how Jacob accepted Esau’s invite to Seir, but only as a ruse. Instead of proceeding to Seir after departing from Esau, Jacob turned to Succoth (Gen 33:17). Jacob and his households then arrived at the city of Shechem in Canaan, where he “pitched his tent before the city” (Gen 33:18).
Question 1: Had Jacob returned to Mamre or gone to Seir with Esau, would this terrible incident have taken place?
Question 2: Why in the first place was Dinah allowed to go Shechem and visit the local women (by herself?)?
Question 3: Why didn’t Jacob take the initiative to negotiate the situation with Hamor but leave it to the sons?
I don’t mean to invite unsound speculation, but it is worth a quick thought.
Living on the borderline of God’s promises
My focus is on Gen 33:18, where Jacob camped “before the city” (NKJV/KJV) / “within sight of the city” (NIV). He chose to live within the sight of a heathen city, i.e. on the border of the promised land (of Canaan). His decision to live on the border was disastrous for his family.
It was at this very city that a shameful tragedy took place. Chapter 34 chronicles the story of Dinah (Jacob’s daughter)’s defilement by Shechem (son of the city’s chief); and of the treacherous vengeance exacted by Simeon and Levi.
We may have made many resolutions to lead a life that God wants us to (Titus 2:11-13), especially during those moments when we were deeply moved by God’s love. After awhile however, did we gradually slide backward to our old-self and even spare our thoughts to linger ‘just a little bit’ on the old times?
Surely we want to follow Jesus on one hand, but did we find it “too good” to completely let go of the comfy-old-life on another? After all, it was due to our momentary weakness in human flesh, and God, being a compassionate and loving God, will surely accept our repentance for sinning-no-more?
God’s promise to us is eternal, so long we hold true to our promise / resolution to Him. At the very moment when we decided to follow Christ in our life and call our faith our own, we know this is a one-way ticket to the heavenly home, and there’s no turning back.
Don’t tread on the borderline of God’s promise (Eph 5:8-10; I Pet 4:2-3; Col 3:3,5-10) and lose the heavenly gift (Heb 6:4-6). This gift is free but not free, for He exchanged it with His blood shed only for you and me.
Motivation is not about that momentary inspiration but to have the spirit in sustaining the moments of inspiration for a lasting change in our lives. Today is a holy Sabbath day of God and a day for us to remember His death through the partaking of the Holy Communion. It is a time to reflect and ‘calibrate’ our living standards to God’s. I pray for all of us to have the spiritual strength to sustain in the holy faith and lay hold this eternal promise of God (I Tim 6:12,14).
Emmanuel.
2 Comments
shalom
It is really dangerous to linger near where sins and ungodliness lurk.
But it is sad to observe that we are quite prone to lurk around these danger zones. Paul admonishes us in 2 Timothy 2: 22
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
He tells us to FLEE from youthful lusts, don’t even think of going near to look see look see!
Many of our believers, esp. the youths are treading on such a danger zones, and often justify themselves that they are mature enough to know what they are doing.
But don’t forget what Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:8,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Some of our youths (those who were once very fervent and supposedly claimed they were mature enough) had been devoured by the adversary…… without even knowing it.
PS
Just for sharing:
Qn 1: May be the sad twist would not happen if Jacob had moved to Bethel and fulfilled his vow to God first.
Qn 2: Bec she was curious and went out on her own for some fun. Or she was accompanied but over-powered.
Qn 3: Why negotiated? Flee
Question 4: How old were Simeon and Levi? How old was Dinah?
(If Dinah was at least twelve/thirteen, then Jacob had dilly-dallied at Succoth and Shechem for quite a number of years.)
Circumcision was given by God as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. The circumcision is to be a sign in the flesh for an everlasting covenant between God and His elects. (Gen 17:9-13)
In Gen 34 circumcision was used as a shameful trick to put the males of Shechem in a disadvantage situation.
The salvation given to us by Lord Jesus is most holy. Our whole being is in the Light now. Walk as the children of light. (Eph 5:8)
A watchman has previously encouraged us with Col 2:6: As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
It is very true: the best defence is flee and run to Lord Jesus.
Always keep in mind: because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:16)
Always keep in mind to keep the complete faith in holiness. Yes, every part, big and small.
Circumcision by Lord Jesus Chist is for salvation to eternal life in the kingdom of God (Col 2:11-12). Not for otherwise.
Let’s go back to the beginning of everything.