Repost: Dinah, the Daughter of Jacob

My Bible reading this morning included Genesis chapter 34.  Dinah's story is so sad to me.  She was the daughter of Jacob, granddaughter of Isaac, and great-granddaughter of Abraham.  She had a great legacy but she made the decision to go "out to see the daughters of the land" and it was the greatest mistake of her life.  It brought rape, then murder.  I believe it is in our Bibles as a warning - going out to see what the world has to offer is a dangerous gamble we can't afford to take.  It also doesn't matter who your family may be, only you can make the decision to stay within the safety of God's family.

This is one of the hard to read stories in the Bible.  The Genesis Record, along with other commentaries, gave much insight.

Verses:  Genesis 30:21, Genesis 34:1-31, Genesis 46:15

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah, she had eleven older brothers and one younger brother, Benjamin.  She and Joseph were probably born around the same time.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
There is very little known about Dinah.  One incident in her life is all we read about.  Most commentaries agree that she was between 12 and 15 years old at this time.  Genesis 34:1 seems to start out innocently enough, "And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land."  As the only girl in the family, it seemed she was looking for female companionship.  Unfortunately there were no godly young women for her to spend time with so she turned her eyes to the daughters of the land.

Her pretense was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too.  (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible)  It's a dangerous thing when we start looking to the world (fashion magazines, models, celebrities) to help us decide how to act and dress.

The Genesis Record explains how it was in that time:
Unattached young women were considered fair game in cities of the time, in which promiscuity was not only common but, in fact, a part of the very religious system itself. It seems likely that Dinah must have been warned about such dangers by her parents, but perhaps she felt she could look out for herself and resented their overprotective attitude. 

Verse 2 says, "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her."  A trip to the city to make friends had turned her life upside down.
 
To what extent she may actually have encouraged Shechem, who must have seemed a rather glamorous figure to a young girl like Dinah, is not stated. In any case, it was only a matter of time until she had been seduced by Shechem while she was visiting some of her girl friends in the city. Shechem may or may not have actually forced her, but in view of her age it was at least a case of what today would be called “statutory” rape. (The Genesis Record)

Things went from bad to worse in the event.  Shechem "spake kindly" to her and wanted to marry her.  Dinah seems to have no say in the matter and she is kept in Shechem's house until after her brother's take their revenge.  The Genesis Record says:

Word quickly reached Jacob concerning what had happened to Dinah, probably by way of some of her girl friends in the town. Jacob no doubt was grief-stricken and angry, but decided not to do anything without first consulting Dinah’s brothers, who were still out in the field with the cattle.

While Jacob was waiting for his sons to come home, Hamor appeared at his house, with the proposal that Dinah be given as Shechem’s wife. No word of apology or sympathy was offered, nor any suggestion that his son be punished in any way. He merely suggested a proposition of marriage. As this interchange between Jacob and Hamor was taking place, the sons of Jacob came bursting into the room. They also had heard the story by now, and were grieved and bitterly angry. Dinah had been the only and beloved sister in a large family of boys, and they had all been taught the sacredness of the marriage relation. Even though they had been raised in a polygamous household, at least Jacob had not sought women other than his wives, and his wives had been faithful to him. They all knew of God’s purpose to raise up a holy nation through their family, and that the maintenance of national integrity and purity was essential to assure God’s continued blessing on them. Not only did they resent the affair for Dinah’s sake, but because Shechem had “wrought folly in Israel,” disrupting that national purity which they had regarded as so vital. Their use of the generic name of Israel in this connection indicates that they must have had a substantial comprehension and recognition of the deeper values and implications of this event.

Starting in verse 13, the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father deceitfully.  This is a great example of two wrongs not making a right.  No matter what was done to Dinah, the lying, the murder of every man in the city, the spoiling of all the goods was never justified.  "Simeon and Levi were most unrighteous. Those who act wickedly, under the pretext of religion, are the worst enemies of the truth, and harden the hearts of many to destruction. The crimes of others form no excuse for us. Alas! how one sin leads on to another, and, like flames of fire, spread desolation in every direction! Foolish pleasures lead to seduction; seduction produces wrath; wrath thirsts for revenge; the thirst of revenge has recourse to treachery; treachery issues in murder; and murder is followed by other lawless actions." (Matthew Henry)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
As far as we know, there was no reset for Dinah.  I'm left with more questions than answers as she is never mentioned again, other than her name as a daughter of Leah in chapter 46.  What happened to this young teenager?  Did she ever marry?  Was she shamed and scarred for life?  How did she feel about her brothers after they slew all the men of the city? It is a tragedy with more tragedy heaped upon it.

Dinah is certainly a story of warning that we should heed.  "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

Repost: I Deserve It!

I was searching my blog for something yesterday and found this post.  It was originally posted on August 7, 2014, but I felt it needed to be posted again. 

Les and I had a wonderful conversation last night with Jose and Maylee Munoz.  They are teaching their first home Bible study and had some questions.  We taught them a home Bible study a few years ago and it is great to see them stepping out.  One of the questions their students had was about how "unfair" it is that we as humanity have to suffer for Adam and Eve's sin.  Of course we really aren't suffering for their sin - we suffer for our own sins.  Adam and Eve were the first sinners, but there has only been One born Who had no sin.

On the way home Les and I were talking about how our world has made us think we "deserve" better things.  It is the job of every advertiser to make you feel unhappy.  If you're unhappy with your car, home, clothes, face, or body, you'll buy their stuff!

I've seen several blogs that posted "Pictures that Make Me Feel Beautiful."  Why beautiful?  Why not pictures that bring me joy or remind me of one of the greatest days of my life?  Because we're convinced if we look beautiful then we deserve compliments.  If we don't live up to today's standard of beauty we aren't deserving of good things.

None of us get what we deserve.  We might work hard and be able to enjoy nice things.  But we don't deserve them.

Several years ago I read "Demon: A Memoir" by Tosca Lee.  The one thing that really stuck with me is just how merciful God is to humanity.  One third of the demons rebelled one time and that was it.  There was no repentance, no forgiveness, no grace for them.  We don't get what we deserve.  Our rebellious ways, our unforgiving spirits, our hateful tongues deserve eternal damnation and separation from our Creator. But God shows us mercy over and over and over.

The word deserve is found one time in the Bible, Ezra 9:13.  The entire chapter shows us what Israel has done, what they deserve, and what God gave them:

6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.  7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. 12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15 O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

I'm thankful that God has punished me less than my iniquities deserve.  I pray I never get what I deserve.

Repost: Dinah ~ Woman of the Week

My Bible reading this morning included Genesis chapter 34.  Dinah's story is so sad to me.  She made the decision to go "out to see the daughters of the land" and it was the greatest mistake of her life.  It brought rape, then murder.  I believe it is in our Bibles as a warning - going out to see what the world has to offer is a dangerous gamble we can't afford to take.

This is one of the hard to read stories in the Bible.  The Genesis Record, along with other commentaries, gave much insight.

Verses:  Genesis 30:21, Genesis 34:1-31, Genesis 46:15

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah, she had eleven older brothers and one younger brother, Benjamin.  She and Joseph were probably born around the same time.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
There is very little known about Dinah.  One incident in her life is all we read about.  Most commentaries agree that she was between 12 and 15 years old at this time.  Genesis 34:1 seems to start out innocently enough, "And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land."  As the only girl in the family, it seemed she was looking for female companionship.  Unfortunately there were no godly young women for her to spend time with so she turned her eyes to the daughters of the land.

Her pretense was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too.  (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible)  It's a dangerous thing when we start looking to the world (fashion magazines, models, celebrities) to help us decide how to act and dress.

The Genesis Record explains how it was in that time:
Unattached young women were considered fair game in cities of the time, in which promiscuity was not only common but, in fact, a part of the very religious system itself. It seems likely that Dinah must have been warned about such dangers by her parents, but perhaps she felt she could look out for herself and resented their overprotective attitude. 

Verse 2 says, "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her."  A trip to the city to make friends had turned her life upside down.
 
To what extent she may actually have encouraged Shechem, who must have seemed a rather glamorous figure to a young girl like Dinah, is not stated. In any case, it was only a matter of time until she had been seduced by Shechem while she was visiting some of her girl friends in the city. Shechem may or may not have actually forced her, but in view of her age it was at least a case of what today would be called “statutory” rape. (The Genesis Record)

Things went from bad to worse in the event.  Shechem "spake kindly" to her and wanted to marry her.  Dinah seems to have no say in the matter and she is kept in Shechem's house until after her brother's take their revenge.  The Genesis Record says:

Word quickly reached Jacob concerning what had happened to Dinah, probably by way of some of her girl friends in the town. Jacob no doubt was grief-stricken and angry, but decided not to do anything without first consulting Dinah’s brothers, who were still out in the field with the cattle.

While Jacob was waiting for his sons to come home, Hamor appeared at his house, with the proposal that Dinah be given as Shechem’s wife. No word of apology or sympathy was offered, nor any suggestion that his son be punished in any way. He merely suggested a proposition of marriage. As this interchange between Jacob and Hamor was taking place, the sons of Jacob came bursting into the room. They also had heard the story by now, and were grieved and bitterly angry. Dinah had been the only and beloved sister in a large family of boys, and they had all been taught the sacredness of the marriage relation. Even though they had been raised in a polygamous household, at least Jacob had not sought women other than his wives, and his wives had been faithful to him. They all knew of God’s purpose to raise up a holy nation through their family, and that the maintenance of national integrity and purity was essential to assure God’s continued blessing on them. Not only did they resent the affair for Dinah’s sake, but because Shechem had “wrought folly in Israel,” disrupting that national purity which they had regarded as so vital. Their use of the generic name of Israel in this connection indicates that they must have had a substantial comprehension and recognition of the deeper values and implications of this event.

Starting in verse 13, the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father deceitfully.  This is a great example of two wrongs not making a right.  No matter what was done to Dinah, the lying, the murder of every man in the city, the spoiling of all the goods was never justified.  "Simeon and Levi were most unrighteous. Those who act wickedly, under the pretext of religion, are the worst enemies of the truth, and harden the hearts of many to destruction. The crimes of others form no excuse for us. Alas! how one sin leads on to another, and, like flames of fire, spread desolation in every direction! Foolish pleasures lead to seduction; seduction produces wrath; wrath thirsts for revenge; the thirst of revenge has recourse to treachery; treachery issues in murder; and murder is followed by other lawless actions." (Matthew Henry)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
As far as we know, there was no reset for Dinah.  I'm left with more questions than answers as she is never mentioned again, other than her name as a daughter of Leah in chapter 46.  What happened to this young teenager?  Did she ever marry?  Was she shamed and scarred for life?  How did she feel about her brothers after they slew all the men of the city? It is a tragedy with more tragedy heaped upon it.

Dinah is certainly a story of warning that we should heed.  "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

I Deserve It!

Les and I had a wonderful conversation last night with Jose and Maylee Munoz.  They are teaching their first home Bible study and had some questions.  We taught them a home Bible study a few years ago and it is great to see them stepping out.  One of the questions their students had was about how "unfair" it is that we as humanity have to suffer for Adam and Eve's sin.  Of course we really aren't suffering for their sin - we suffer for our own sins.  Adam and Eve were the first sinners, but there has only been One born Who had no sin.

On the way home Les and I were talking about how our world has made us think we "deserve" better things.  It is the job of every advertiser to make you feel unhappy.  If you're unhappy with your car, home, clothes, face, or body, you'll buy their stuff!

I've seen several blogs that posted "Pictures that Make Me Feel Beautiful."  Why beautiful?  Why not pictures that bring me joy or remind me of one of the greatest days of my life?  Because we're convinced if we look beautiful then we deserve compliments.  If we don't live up to today's standard of beauty we aren't deserving of good things.

None of us get what we deserve.  We might work hard and be able to enjoy nice things.  But we don't deserve them. 

Several years ago I read "Demon: A Memoir" by Tosca Lee.  The one thing that really stuck with me is just how merciful God is to humanity.  One third of the demons rebelled one time and that was it.  There was no repentance, no forgiveness, no grace for them.  We don't get what we deserve.  Our rebellious ways, our unforgiving spirits, our hateful tongues deserve eternal damnation and separation from our Creator. But God shows us mercy over and over and over.

The word deserve is found one time in the Bible, Ezra 9:13.  The entire chapter shows us what Israel has done, what they deserve, and what God gave them:

6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
15 O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

I'm thankful that God has punished me less than my iniquities deserve.  I pray I never get what I deserve.

The Answer

A tragic event occurred at today's Boston Marathon.  Two bombs exploded as runners were crossing the finish line, hitting runners and spectators.  Two were killed.  Hospitals reported at least 110 people being treated, at least eight of them in critical condition and 14 in serious condition. At least eight of the patients are children.  Federal authorities are classifying the bombings as a terrorist attack, but it's not clear whether the origin was domestic or foreign, a federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation said.  (source)

This makes me heartsick.  My thoughts and prayers are with those in Boston.  I've read a number of running blogs sharing the same sentiment.  I've crossed the finish line of two marathons - both times I was wearing the hugest smile and the feeling of accomplishment was amazing.  I cannot imagine the terror that was felt.  There are many questions - who? why?  One blogger asked, "How do I explain this to my kids?"

As I was thinking about this, the answer came.  It was one I thought after the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings in December. It is a one word answer:

SIN

The very first human being who was born became a murderer.  God created Adam and Eve, but after the Fall, Cain was born.  He killed Able, his only brother.  Genesis chapter four records the second murder, just a few generations removed from Cain, Lamech also killed a man.  And the stage was set.  Read your Bible - the sixth chapter of Genesis tells us "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  Chapter 13 says, "the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly."

SIN. It tears families apart.  It causes young men to murder their brothers.  It brings destruction.  It causes nation to rise against nation.  We live in a sinful world.  It's not going to get better.  I know each time these things happened we are shocked, but we shouldn't be.  Jesus said in John 3:19: "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."  But that same chapter gives us hope!  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

So the next time you read of a tragic event (and there will be a next time) remember the reason is sin, but the remedy is Jesus.

Putting Sin in Remission

There were so many great things that Bro. Kelly preached while he was with us.  Friday night he preached with such a burden to the young people of our church.  Young people who have been raised in the church, but are struggling like young people do.  He made it clear that it doesn't matter if you have been raised in the church, until you give your life to God, you are a sinner.  He gave a two word definition of sin:

Sin = I Will

Isaiah 14:12-14 says, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."  The first sin, and every one since, was that of self will.

Repentance = Not My Will

When we give our will to God, that is true repentance.

He went on to talk about why we are baptized for the remission of sins.  When a person has cancer and they go through treatment, if the treatment is successful, they are considered in remission.  There might be a small sign that cancer was there, but the disease is no longer attacking and killing the body.  The longer the person goes without the cancer returning, the greater the odds of survival.

When we get baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, we undergo treatment for our sinful nature.  As long as we continue in treatment (prayer, fasting, reading the Word) our sins will stay in remission.  Bro. Kelly said that's why a saint of God who has lived this way for 40-50 years just seems to be unaffected by temptation.  They have put their sinful nature in remission!  None of us will ever be completely cured, but we can keep our sins in remission.

Think about a person who is brand new in the church.  They've lived 25 or 30 years in sin.  Their friends are still living that life.  Their families are still living that life.  Their challenges are great, their treatment has just begun.  But the longer they walk, the further they get.  Their sinful nature is being treated by the Great Physician.

The beautiful thing about God's treatment, as long as we stay hooked up, He will never fail.  The longer we stay hooked up, the longer our sins will stay in remission and our odds of making it to heaven are 100%.