And So It Begins

And So It Begins

Genesis 34: ²⁵ Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. ²⁶ And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went out. ²⁷ The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. ²⁸ They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, ²⁹ and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses.

 

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Waiting for the pain to reach its peak, Simeon and Levi went out to kill all the men of Shechem, including Hamor and Shechem. They took all the women and children and possessions for themselves. The plan for revenge had worked. Or so they thought.

 

My Observations:

• Not all of the sons of Jacob agreed to kill the men of Shechem.
• Simeon and Levi were the most offended by the violation of Dinah.
• Jacob was renamed to Israel by GOD, and this act of violence was the beginning of trouble for Israel.

 

Up until this point, the family chosen by GOD had no enemies. Even Laban was told by GOD to leave Jacob alone. But now Simeon and Levi caused a huge mess. They killed out of revenge. You and I may feel the same way as Simeon and Levi, wanting revenge. But unfortunately, the long-term relationships with surrounding people would prove to be extremely difficult.

 

Simeon and Levi could not leave it alone. This act of violation was extremely difficult, but their form of justice would bring on problems for Israel that may be going on to this very day. GOD saw the revenge that HE should have owned.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the revenge of Simeon and Levi?
• Have you ever wanted revenge?
• Can you allow GOD to own revenge so HE will take care of the situation HIS way and in HIS time?

Revenge Put in Motion

Revenge Put in Motion

Genesis 34: ¹³ But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. ¹⁴ And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. ¹⁵ But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, ¹⁶ then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. ¹⁷ But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.”

 

¹⁸ And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. ¹⁹ So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father.

 

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Hearing about the violation of Dinah, her brothers decided to do something about it. They deceived Shechem and Hamor by telling them they needed to become circumcised. This way the men of Shechem would become like the men of Israel, Jacob’s sons.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob’s sons were furious enough to plan out revenge.
• Jacob’s household followed the covenant given to Abraham, that all males born or servants who worked for the family, would be circumcised.
• Shechem was first in line, probably dreaming of having Dinah as his wife.

 

GOD told Abraham to be circumcised when he was ninety-nine. HE also said that males had to be circumcised on the eighth day, or when the child is eight days old. Jacob and his entire family followed this covenant. Jacob’s son’s knew this process would be painful for adults, so they added it to their plan.

 

Shechem, blinded by getting his way, fell into the trap created by Jacob’s sons. He was so used to getting his way that this plan looked like he had won over Jacob and his family. He thought that the men of Shechem would be excited about being able to marry the daughters of Jacob, so he got first in line. GOD saw the plan for revenge put in place.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the plan for revenge put in place by Jacob’s sons?
• Have you ever thought about taking revenge on someone?
• Can you let go of any ill will you may have against someone and allow GOD to own vengeance?

Slander Reaction

Slander Reaction

Acts 6: ⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ¹¹ Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. ¹³ They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; ¹⁴ for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” ¹⁵ And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

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Part of the fight of being a leader was protecting my reputation. For years, I made sure my decisions were not only sound, but heard. Things were going well, until I wanted to be “me” instead of who they wanted me to be.

I could no longer hide my faith just to get ahead. The slanderers made up their weird stories, but this time I did not care if those in charge wanted to believe lies.

• There came a time when I got tired of protecting what people thought of me.
• There came a time when I just wanted to be me instead of who everyone wanted me to be.
• There came a time when I realized I was not living by faith rather I was doing what was expected of me.

Stephen was doing great things for GOD. That’s what he was made for. Some jealous church leaders tried to fight his wisdom but found they could not beat him on that front. So they made up lies about him to capture him. Stephen’s reaction was simply to sit, peacefully.

• GOD wants me to know vengeance is HIS.
• GOD wants me to understand that I will be persecuted because of my relationship with JESUS.
• GOD wants me to expect a fight because of my service to the LORD.

Yelling at me, lying on me and hating me are actions I should expect from those who do not believe. It does not feel good. BUT GOD wants me to react different to the outbursts and slander. HE wants me to understand that HE is in control and humans are not.

HE knows the heart and is willing to clean it if I confess. HE also knows the hearts of those who try to harm me because of my service to HIM. HE protects the relationship I have with HIM. Humans my hurt my reputation or sometimes, my body. BUT GOD holds me everlasting. I am grateful GOD hold my reputation.

• Are you being lied about?
• Do you have someone talking negatively about you behind your back?
• Will you let what they are doing go so GOD will handle them in HIS time without you seeing HIS punishment on them?

Seeking Revenge

Ezekiel 25: ¹⁵ “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah, ¹⁶ therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will wipe out the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. ¹⁷ I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.’”

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Seeking revenge felt good sometimes. I mean with anger boiling, I felt I had the “right” to inflict whatever pain or harm I could legally do to the person who “started” the fight in the first place. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Get rid of malice in your heart, otherwise it can turn into hatred.”
• GOD says to me “Get rid of ancient hostility in order to move into the future.”
• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE says the LORD, I will repay.”

Letting GOD take care of those who trespass against me enables me to feel better about whatever is going on with “that” person. I can sleep and eat without a carrying around misery and pain. GOD wants me to ask HIM to forgive my trespasses as well as those who trespass against me. Instead of seeking revenge, I will seek GOD.

• Do you have malice in your heart against someone?
• Are you carrying around ancient hostility?
• Can you allow GOD to take care of the situation knowing HE will deal with you also?