Don’t mess with my sister

Genesis 34

A conflict with a surrounding culture has come up. The land that Jacob and his family were living in were occupied by a group called the Canaanites.  They were living her for some time now as Jacob’s little girl, Dinah, must have been in her teenage years. Jacob was close to an ungodly city and there soon were going to be consequences. This reminds me somewhat of the story of Lot. He pitched his tent close to Sodom and eventually lived in the city and became a member of the city. This story is a little different though. Shechem who was son of Hamor, a prince in the land. He saw Dinah and desired after her. This was way more intense than any, “hey she is pretty.” type of a thing. He actually took her and slept with her. During this time for an ungodly city, and an unmarried girl was “fair play” and since he was the son of a prince, I am sure he thought he could have anyone and anything he ever wanted. This was not looked at as bad thing for the people of Canaan, but it is sure looked down on by God who has a perfect plan for a man and a woman. This man wanted to marry Dinah. This goes back to God’s command of not marrying to any of the Canaanite people. Isaac did not, Jacob did not, Esau did. Hamor started to not only suggest the marriage between his son and daughter but also the intermarriage of all of Jacob’s sons and the Canaanite women. 

Revenge:

Simeon and Reuben, the older sons of Jacob decided to get revenge on the people of Shechem. They deceived the prince and his son by saying that if all the males become like us then we will allow this marriage with our sister. The men of the city did  and were resting and healing from what Reuben and Simeon asked, and the two brothers went throughout the city and killed every male. They not only took the livestock but all the possessions of that city. Revenge is never good. Yeah they had a right to be angry because of their mistreated little sister and yeah they needed to stand their ground and obey God by not marrying the Canaanite women but they never sought the Lord in this matter. They took it upon themselves and killed people. Jacob heard what happened and asked, “What have you done?” “You have brought trouble to me and my household” Leviticus 19:18 tells us not to seek revenge. Romans 12:19 tells us not to take revenge but allow God to take care of it in his way. Simeon and Levi sinned in their anger. The world tells us not to let people bring down our name, we feel like we need to be puffed up and proud and arrogant. But when we are mistreated we should say, “God you will take care of this in your own time.” When people are in sin, they seem do wonder why it is bad? Hamor did not understand why Jacob could not let his people marry his. When we are in sin we compromise little by little on the truths of God. We start allowing certain things to happen when we know they are wrong. We start saying, “I don’t understand why this is a problem.” Have you ever been there with something you know is not right. We are called not to compromise on the little things because then we will not compromise on the big things.

Turn of Events

Genesis 33

Remember the last chapter Jacob heard that his brother was going to meet up with him with like 400 other men, who were armed. This was somewhat scary because Jacob remembered that Esau wanted to kill him. These were some of the last words that were said to one another. In this passage we see something different taking place. Esau runs to meet the timid and fearful Jacob not only with the 400 men but Esau runs to embrace Jacob and give him a hug and a kiss. This was a turn of events as Jacob and his party were expecting some other type of reaction. Jacob bowed seven times as in reverence to his brother. In the Near Eastern culture, when one person would approach a king they would bow seven times. Jacob was valuing his brother in respect like a king. Instead of the bitter words that were spoken several years ago, that bitterness changed into love and affection. Neither brother could be around each other, but now there was joy because of the separation and the bitterness faded away. 

Esau then wants to accompany Jacob on the rest of the journey to his father’s land. Jacob declined the offer not because he did not trust his brother but because he had a lot of livestock and they do not really want to travel long distances in a short amount of time. It takes days, they need food and they need water.

Jacob left went on the journey to Canaan and finally came to a location called Shechem. This was indeed the land that was promised to Abraham. It is also interesting in Genesis 12:6, 7, God first appeared to Abram here. It was the promise that God had mentioned and it is coming more and more true as we read these chapters. Jacob pitched his tent and built stables. It was sure sign that he was going to stay for good.

Resolution with someone over an issue is so great. I know in my life and anyone else’s that there will be conflict with another person. Maybe it is or was with some family member like Jacob. Maybe you did part ways and you never resolved the issue. But when you work through that conflict and come to terms with each other it is great. We as Christians are called to not hold onto bitterness but work through it. It is hard because feelings do get hurt; people do get offended, but we are to get rid of bitterness (Ephesians 4:31). I am not perfect and I know I have been hurt by people close to me and may have hurt others, but I would be a hypocrite if I challenge you to work out conflicts if I was not willing to do the same. My challenge is for you and for me is to see what issues we may have with a friend or a family member and show Christ in the situation.   

Not looking forward to that.

Genesis 32

This day was bound to happen. Both Esau and Jacob were going to have to run into each other eventually. This was a day that Jacob was afraid of because he knew that Esau wanted to kill him (Gen. 27:42). Have you ever been in a situation that you just hoped you would never have to be in or run into someone because it would be awkward or you did not like them?  Jacob knew he was coming close to where Esau lived and he told his messengers to go to Esau and tell him that his servant (notice Jacob did not say brother) is here. The messengers responded by saying, he is coming to meet you but he is with 400 men. Just like any man in that situation would be somewhat scared, Jacob was terrified.  He then said well if he is coming for war lets not make it so everyone has to suffer and he split his party up into two groups. 

Jacob gets it or at least we think verse 9-12

Instead of Jacob trying to think of some great deceptive plan like in the past we see Jacob doing something that we all should do. In the time a being afraid he went to the Lord.  He prayed to God and asked him to stick to his promise that he mentioned in the last chapter. Finally even though he was afraid, he went to the Lord. We need to go to the Lord if we are ever afraid or do not think we can do anything in this life. 

Jacob wrestles with God- verses 22-32

This passage is somewhat a well-known passage that people talk about. Here we see that Jacob arose in the middle of the night because he was ready to flee town again. This man who prayed to God for his deliverance is now doubting that. In verse 24 says, “A man wrestled with Jacob until the breaking of day (or morning).” The man touched Jacob’s hip and Jacob’s hip was out of socket. Jacob wrestled with this man which it turns out that it was God in flesh, Christ. He wrestled because he wanted a blessing and God wrestled him because He wanted Jacob to trust and have faith. Jacob wanted the assurance of this promise so he was not letting go until that happened. It was God, who could have easily said, I am done with your mere man, but instead he let it happen. The reminder was Jacob’s hip  and as this was a physical reminder that God would bless him, sometimes God gives us certain things so we can trust him. He is faithful to not give us more than we can handle (1st Corinthians 10:13).  God has a plan for us and sometimes he does wrestle with us because we want to do our own thing. God could have easily won in this match but I picture a father who could easily beat his son when they play wrestle submits that power so his son can fight back. He was allowing Jacob to prove himself. Do you wrestle with what God wants with you? Do you cling to the promises of the Bible? Be encouraged God has never broken his promise. When reading this I am just amazed about how little faith Jacob had but more amazed about God’s love upon him and yet God’s love is on me and you. I am worse than Jacob because of my sin, but yet God loves me.  

God is my Witness

Genesis 31

Have you ever been around someone that just has the golden touch, everything they do turns out good. They don’t even try for good grades and it happens. They don’t even try to have a lot of friends and they do. Sometimes those people can be annoying. You can become not only jealous of them but just annoyed and don’t want to be around them anymore than you have to. Jacob was like that but instead of grades or popularity he was being blessed by the Lord with his flock. (ancient way of being wealthy). Yesterday’s chapter was showing how Jacob was wise and got the strongest of the flock. In this chapter we see how that has resulted into Laban not liking Jacob like he used to (the question is if he did at all).

Jacob was getting wealthy and Laban was not so nice to him anymore, then Jacob received Word from the Lord that it was time to go back to the land of his fathers. He was being called home.  As Jacob is talking to his wives, Leah and Rachel, he tells them about how God is calling them home. In verses 4-16 we see a little bit of how greedy Laban is. He not only changed Jacob’s wage but he was not wise with the inheritance that the family should receive. The Bible says that he spent it all because he was greedy. The funny thing is that all the wealth that Laban had he now lost and now Jacob and his family have it. Laban was jealous of Jacob.

Jacob as has not quit deceiving others verses 17-42

Jacob needed to get out of sight from Laban and his clinging hands. Jacob decided instead of standing up for himself and say, “We are leaving,” he lies and deceives Laban by just up and leave and not tell anyone. Laban got word that Jacob got up and just left town three days earlier so Laban chased after him. Laban was thinking that Jacob fled as if they were captives desiring freedom and Jacob fled because God told him to and he was afraid of Laban and what he would do. The two men finally talk about the issues and cleared everything up.

The covenant between Laban and Jacob verses 43-55

Remember what a covenant is? It is basically like a contract between two people. God made a covenant with Noah and Abraham. Here we see Laban and Jacob making one of peace but the one interesting verse that I would like to point out is verse 49. It says, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. ” Then Laban does the fatherly thing and say if you hurt my daughters or grandchildren then God is my witness. I am sure that was enough for Jacob to take a deep breath and realize that God does see everything. Laban said goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. Jacob was with everyone ready to go home to the place of his fathers, the place where God has promised for his children, Israel. 

God is my witness-

What a great reminder to think about, God is my witness. God sees everything you do, good or bad, he knows about everything even when other people do not. When I think about this, God sees everything, my attitude gets corrected, my thoughts need to be held captive, my heart needs to be surrendered to God. All of me because I am held accountable to God for he is my witness, even when no one is around. I challenge you to take inventory of your life and compare it to God being your witness and what would he think about what you are doing in public or private. Let me know what how this has helped or how you have been challenged.

 God Bless 

The War of the Babies

Genesis 30: 1-24

Yesterday we learned that Jacob got what he deserved. Jacob the deceiver was deceived. His wife was switched on the night of his wedding with her sister. Laban had Jacob work another 7 years for the wife that he really wanted, Rachel. Now in this chapter we see Rachel getting jealous of the other woman, Leah, who is having plenty of children but Rachel had none. Rachel decided that she would have a child through her servant, Bilhah. This sounds somewhat familiar. Remember Sarah, Abraham’s wife, she was impatient of God’s plan for children and she wanted a child so bad she had Abraham have a child through her servant in chapter 16. Jacob and the servant, Bilhah did not only have one child but multiple, whom they named Dan and Naphtali. Now Leah, Jacob’s first wife was jealous of Rachel’s servant having kids so she did the same thing with her servant, Zilpah. She had two sons, Gad and Asher. Man talk about wife wars, they were wanting the woman with the most children would win, Jacob’s heart. Leah gave birth to two other sons named Isaachar and Zebulm and she also gave birth to a daughter named Dinah. Finally Rachel who did not have any children was able to give birth to a son named Joseph, whom will be popular in our further study of Genesis. 

 Jacob is prosperous- vs 25-43

Jacob had Joseph who is his favorite son, and wanted to be done working for Laban and get out of there. Laban though realized that Jacob was good for business and he was not going to let his cash cow go. Jacob was also a wise breeder when it came to sheep. He knew how to keep having strong and good looking sheep while Laban’s sheep were not so good and strong.  

Question:

Why are the men who God used having multiple wives,  doesn’t the Bible go against that? This question has been asked to me several times because 1st Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6 speak against it and tell us that men are to have one wife. God never wanted it to happen because that goes against what he commands, but God allowed it to happen. He did not strike them down dead right then and there just like God does not do that to us when we sin. More important as we see that culturally the other world did this and Abraham and Jacob fell into the temptation that their wives wanted children. Either way, all the people involved, the husband and the other women are in sin and they were not obedient to God’s plan. They rushed his plan by taking action themselves. This is just one aspect of human sin when we are disobedient to God. It was never ok by God and it still is not ok by God.  God has a plan for Jacob as he is the father of 12 sons who will be the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. It is exciting to see this plan unfold through the pages of Scripture

Jacob’s Dream

Genesis 28

 We all have dreams. I know I dream I just can’t remember them. Sometimes I know that they are crazy because I wake up going, “I am so glad that was just a dream.” Jacob had a dream on his way to find a wife and this dream was a GREAT dream for Jacob to have. Isaac wanted Jacob to get married to a woman from the land Rebekah and Sarah came from. On his journey he came to certain place where he could get some sleep before he carried on in his journey. When he slept he had a dream that had a ladder that reached to heaven. On this ladder angels were descending and ascending. That is pretty cool, but there was more. There was God. He spoke to Jacob and said, I am the God of Abraham and Isaac and this land that you are sleeping on is going to be for you and your descendants. God said, “I will be with you and I will not leave you until I am done with what I promise.” Of all the human emotions Jacob must have been feeling he just mentions how awesome is this place and God is here. He was in awe that God was talking to him. God has many great promises that he made not only to Abraham or Isaac or Jacob but even to us. He did not break his promise to them and he does not break his promise to us. Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “He will never leave us nor forsake us.” 2nd Timothy 2:13 tells us, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown his own.” Jacob definitely did not deserve what God was showing him. We definitely do not deserve what God continues to show us. We do not deserve his love, his mercy, and his grace. He remains our God even when we don’t treat him like it. He remains faithful to what the Bible says even when we forget it. God does have promises and he does not break them.  

Esau- Rebellion happened earlier

In verses 6 through 9 we see that Esau is not forgotten even though Jacob is the one highlighted in this chapter. What we see though is that he marries an Ishmaelite which was a woman from Abraham’s other son Ishmael. Esau already had wives among the Canaanite people so he tried to make his rebellion better by marrying another woman, this time from Ishmael’s family. Esau was already spiritually blind and made too many mistakes. It is like someone trying to fix a broken pipe with another broken pipe. He just wasn’t getting it. He tried to make something better but in seriousness of it he made it worse by sinning because he had multiple wives. We do this all too much. We lie and we try to make it better by making another lie. We cheat on one thing but then we have to cheat again just to make it better than the last. Esau should have just listened in the beginning but instead he was rebellious. If you are rebellious now, it will only escalate when you are older. The Bible warns us about rebellion in 1st Samuel 12:15~ But if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord is against you. This verse was a warning to King Saul, which he did not listen to. Watch out, if you disobey God now what do you think would change when you are older, all you are going to be is an older person rebelling against God.