Opportunity Blindness
Genesis 34: 20 And Hamor and Shechem
his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their
city, saying: 21 “These men are at
peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed
the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters
to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. 22 Only
on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be
one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. 23 Will not
their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours?
Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.” 24 And
all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son;
every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.
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Hamor and Shechem got so excited about the possibility of
becoming even more wealthy than they were, that they told all the men about it.
They persuaded the men to become circumcised as part of the peace treaty.
My Observations:
- Hamor
and Shechem were fooled by the sons of Jacob into thinking they were at
peace with what was done to Dinah.
- Hamor
and Shechem seemed to dream of getting even more wealthy and powerful.
- Hamor
and Shechem were plotting to take all of Jacob’s wealth, but they had to
consent to being circumcised.
Blinded by the possibility of becoming wealthier, the men of
Shechem started to drop their guards regarding Jacob and his vast group. Their
worries turned into dreams of marrying his daughters and acquiring his wealth.
They voluntarily became circumcised, probably thinking this would make them one
of Jacob’s groups.
Little did they know, the sons of Jacob had deceived them.
The sons of Jacob were planning revenge and put on a great act. Sometimes we
too can fall into blindness over becoming wealthy. Like Shechem, blindness of
wealth and fame can give false security to us. BUT GOD saw the plot Hamor and
Shechem were planning.
Challenge
- Why
do you think GOD told Moses about Hamor and Shechem’s plot?
- Have
you ever wanted wealth so badly, that you lowered your standards to get
it?
- Will
you ask GOD to open your eyes to any blindness so HE can guide you to HIS
better path?
