1Samuel 13 vs 8-9 (KJV)
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
God can never be too early or too late concerning any case. What has God promised you that is still pending? Is it job, money admission, healing, deliverance, help, promotion, child, husband or wife? God hasn't forgotten. He will never forget. The delay you may be experiencing now is not a denial. He will come at the appropriate time. He makes everything beautiful at His own time.Trying to help God as Saul did here will compound the case. Are you in a position of authority? Don't allow pressure from your boss or surbodinate to push you to do something contrary to His injuctions. Stand your ground and be yourself. Saul could have waited a little longer. Looking at the situation at hand, he lost hope of Samuel's coming. ....... and he offered the burnt offering. This he had no right to do, for it was an assumption of the priestly office, and virtual disowning of his position as the viceroy of the Lord. He ought to have waited for directions from the Lord through Samuel; but in his self-will he proceeded to act as if he were quite independent of God's guidance.. His impatience cost him his kingdom.
Wait for God, though He may tarry long, wait. The of waiting is not a waste. Don't give up trying. And Samuel said "What you has thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash", 1Samuel 13 vs 11 (KJV). Saul became unpopular as he was waiting for Samuel. The people started leaving him, so became worried. You may also become unpopular because of your trust in God. You need not worry, hold on to God. God's way is never man's way. Your friends' spouse or parents may even not be on your side; don't worry. " I saw ......", what do you see? Negative! Negative!! Negative!!! Rachel saw the same thing, and she cried out to her husband, "Give me children or else I die", Genesis 30 vs 1 (KJV). Cry to God, not man.
(To be continued)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 4)
BURSTING OF BOTTLED ANGER
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 (NKJV).
Jacob’s children were circumcised, were well taught and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved very untoward. Levi and Simeon allowed the bottled anger became uncontrollable.
Proverbs 6:34 (KJV) For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 14
17(NKJV) A quick-tempered [man] acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.
29 (WEB) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 27:4 (WEB) Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 29:22 (WEB) An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Dinah’s brothers committed two criminal offences-they killed every man in the town (murder); they looted/stole everything in the town (armed robbery). Why? Because, someone defiled their sister. Tame your anger before it tames you. Because of anger, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. What have you done in anger? Ninety nine percent of things done in anger were never done right. Take heed.
Proverbs 19:11 (RSV) Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
UNFORGIVENESS
GENESIS 34
30 (BBE) And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have made trouble for me and given me a bad name among the people of this country, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and because we are small in number they will come together against me and make war on me; and it will be the end of me and all my people.
31 (ASV) And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?
There is no justifiable reason for us to commit sin. Simeon and Levi said, “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?” Were they justified? No!
Proverbs 20:22 (RSV) Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.
Two wrongs can never make right. If you were offended by somebody, go and meet the person and resolve the matter as soon as possible. Don’t allow it to ‘ferment.’ Don’t wait for an opportunity to revenge. Forgive and forget.
Proverbs 6
16 These six [things] the LORD hates, Yes, seven [are] an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness [who] speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)
Jacob failed to forgive Simeon and Levi for the role they played in the destruction of the people of Shalem. He only expressed his fears, no other disciplinary measures taken against them. They were proscribed from the blessings of the covenant, so that they barely retained a name among the tribes of Israel, being in general small, and ever disreputable, except merely in the service of the sanctuary, in which Levi was employed.
Genesis 49
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; deceit and force are their secret designs.
6 Take no part in their secrets, O my soul; keep far away, O my heart, from their meetings; for in their wrath they put men to death, and for their pleasure even oxen were wounded.
7 A curse on their passion for it was bitter; and on their wrath for it was cruel. I will let their heritage in Jacob be broken up, driving them from their places in Israel. (BBE)
As parents, we should not hold anything against our children for whatever wrongs they committed against us. Let us discipline them and forget about it rather than keep quiet and later curse them and their descendants. Noah cursed Ham and his descendant as a result of beholding his father’s nakedness.(Genesis 9:18-25). A simple reprimand would have settled the issue rather than cursing him. Perhaps he was inexperienced because he was the youngest of his sons. Let us give no room to anger to destroy the lives of generation unborn.
Dear reader, do you know that Dinah lost her place in destiny. She was not reckoned with in the genealogy of the Israelites though she was numbered with them at the beginning. She failed to be keepers at home and hence lost her place (Titus 2:5).
Shechem had his kingdom destroyed for lack of self control and failure to respect the dignity of other people. The elders perished with him for their greed and lack of discernment.
Hamor is a disgrace to fatherhood. Sin should be exposed and judged. Hamor spared the rod and spoiled the Shechem.
Simeon and Levi were cursed because of their inability to control their anger which arose from unforgiveness.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 2:13 (MKJV).
A CHILD THAT IS LEFT TO HIMSELF / HERSELF SHALL BRING HIS/HER PARENTS SHAME.
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 (NKJV).
Jacob’s children were circumcised, were well taught and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved very untoward. Levi and Simeon allowed the bottled anger became uncontrollable.
Proverbs 6:34 (KJV) For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 14
17(NKJV) A quick-tempered [man] acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.
29 (WEB) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 27:4 (WEB) Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 29:22 (WEB) An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Dinah’s brothers committed two criminal offences-they killed every man in the town (murder); they looted/stole everything in the town (armed robbery). Why? Because, someone defiled their sister. Tame your anger before it tames you. Because of anger, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. What have you done in anger? Ninety nine percent of things done in anger were never done right. Take heed.
Proverbs 19:11 (RSV) Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
UNFORGIVENESS
GENESIS 34
30 (BBE) And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have made trouble for me and given me a bad name among the people of this country, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and because we are small in number they will come together against me and make war on me; and it will be the end of me and all my people.
31 (ASV) And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?
There is no justifiable reason for us to commit sin. Simeon and Levi said, “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?” Were they justified? No!
Proverbs 20:22 (RSV) Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.
Two wrongs can never make right. If you were offended by somebody, go and meet the person and resolve the matter as soon as possible. Don’t allow it to ‘ferment.’ Don’t wait for an opportunity to revenge. Forgive and forget.
Proverbs 6
16 These six [things] the LORD hates, Yes, seven [are] an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness [who] speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)
Jacob failed to forgive Simeon and Levi for the role they played in the destruction of the people of Shalem. He only expressed his fears, no other disciplinary measures taken against them. They were proscribed from the blessings of the covenant, so that they barely retained a name among the tribes of Israel, being in general small, and ever disreputable, except merely in the service of the sanctuary, in which Levi was employed.
Genesis 49
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; deceit and force are their secret designs.
6 Take no part in their secrets, O my soul; keep far away, O my heart, from their meetings; for in their wrath they put men to death, and for their pleasure even oxen were wounded.
7 A curse on their passion for it was bitter; and on their wrath for it was cruel. I will let their heritage in Jacob be broken up, driving them from their places in Israel. (BBE)
As parents, we should not hold anything against our children for whatever wrongs they committed against us. Let us discipline them and forget about it rather than keep quiet and later curse them and their descendants. Noah cursed Ham and his descendant as a result of beholding his father’s nakedness.(Genesis 9:18-25). A simple reprimand would have settled the issue rather than cursing him. Perhaps he was inexperienced because he was the youngest of his sons. Let us give no room to anger to destroy the lives of generation unborn.
Dear reader, do you know that Dinah lost her place in destiny. She was not reckoned with in the genealogy of the Israelites though she was numbered with them at the beginning. She failed to be keepers at home and hence lost her place (Titus 2:5).
Shechem had his kingdom destroyed for lack of self control and failure to respect the dignity of other people. The elders perished with him for their greed and lack of discernment.
Hamor is a disgrace to fatherhood. Sin should be exposed and judged. Hamor spared the rod and spoiled the Shechem.
Simeon and Levi were cursed because of their inability to control their anger which arose from unforgiveness.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 2:13 (MKJV).
A CHILD THAT IS LEFT TO HIMSELF / HERSELF SHALL BRING HIS/HER PARENTS SHAME.
Friday, February 11, 2011
LOVE PERSONIFIED
Joh 3:16 (WEB) For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:17 (WEB) For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 (TCNT) He who believes in him escapes condemnation, while he who does not believe in him is already condemned, because he has not believed in the only Son of God.
Ro 10:9 (WEB) that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ro 10:10 (WNT) For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation.
Joh 3:17 (WEB) For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 (TCNT) He who believes in him escapes condemnation, while he who does not believe in him is already condemned, because he has not believed in the only Son of God.
Ro 10:9 (WEB) that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ro 10:10 (WNT) For with the heart men believe and obtain righteousness, and with the mouth they make confession and obtain salvation.
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 3)
(CONTINUE FROM PART 2)
Genesis 34:8, 11-12 (WEB)
Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will give.
Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife."
Neither Shechem nor his father addresses the sin issue (the rape he committed); instead they were clamouring for the hand of Dinah in marriage. Proverbs 19:18 (KJV) Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 28:13 (RSV) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:16 (BBE) The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for him will have long life.
When sin is not confessed, forgiveness will not be received. There is no point in time when Hamor condemned the action of his son, Shechem. As fathers, we should not condone sin in our homes. The Bible says, “He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace, Proverbs 10:10 (BBE).” Don’t pat your child on the back for doing wrong; reprove him immediately. Show your disapproval of his dismal behaviour.
Hamor was playing prank on Dinah’s family by offering them juicy offer without dealing with the sin issue in the life of his son. In order to win you to his side, the devil can offer you anything, name it.. What can you give in exchange for your life?
CONSEQUENCES OF UNCOFESSED SIN
Genesis 34:13-24 (KJV): 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us: 15. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he [was] more honourable than all the house of his father. 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.22. Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they [are] circumcised. 23. [Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? Only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Because the brothers of Dinah were still angry with Shechem, therefore they deceived him in order to revenge. Shechem and Hamor accepted the condition put forward –circumcision of all men in the land. It took them some time to convince their country men. They said one thing to Jacob’s family and different thing to their country men just to get their consent. Sin has no respect for anybody be they old or young, man or woman, boy or girl, poor or wealthy, the ruler or the subject.
Circumcision was the external rite by which persons were admitted members of the ancient church (Exodus 12:48). But that outward rite could not make the Shechemites true Israelites. Nothing is said of their teaching the people to worship the true God, but only of their insisting on their being circumcised; and it is evident that they did not seek to convert Shechem, but only made a show of religion- a cloak to cover their diabolical design which is yet to be revealed. Because the issue of rape was still pending, unresolved and the offender was yet to admit being guilty, seek forgiveness and probably restitute, therefore the grief was still there and the anger was hot and bottled. As a result they answered Shechem deceitfully. They were aiming at revenge.
PROVERBS 6:32-35(KJV)
32. [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 (WEB) For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 (RSV) He will accept no compensation, nor be appeased though you multiply gifts.
GREED
Shechem, his father and the leaders of the town fell for the bait.
Proverbs 13:16 (RSV) In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:12 (RSV) There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:15 (WEB) A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Shechem fell because of his inordinate affection for Dinah; his father fell because he wanted Dinah to marry his son at all cost thereby satisfy his son’s desire; the leaders fell because of their greed (quest for material gain), Genesis 34:23. They were after Jacob’s livestock and his other possessions to be gained from this bilateral relationship. They did not think twice before they ‘signed memorandum of understanding’ and agreed to be circumcised.
Proverbs 28:22 (DBY) He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:25 (RSV) A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
Proverbs 27:12 (RSV) A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.
(TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4)
Genesis 34:8, 11-12 (WEB)
Hamor talked with them, saying, "The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will give.
Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife."
Neither Shechem nor his father addresses the sin issue (the rape he committed); instead they were clamouring for the hand of Dinah in marriage. Proverbs 19:18 (KJV) Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 28:13 (RSV) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:16 (BBE) The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for him will have long life.
When sin is not confessed, forgiveness will not be received. There is no point in time when Hamor condemned the action of his son, Shechem. As fathers, we should not condone sin in our homes. The Bible says, “He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace, Proverbs 10:10 (BBE).” Don’t pat your child on the back for doing wrong; reprove him immediately. Show your disapproval of his dismal behaviour.
Hamor was playing prank on Dinah’s family by offering them juicy offer without dealing with the sin issue in the life of his son. In order to win you to his side, the devil can offer you anything, name it.. What can you give in exchange for your life?
CONSEQUENCES OF UNCOFESSED SIN
Genesis 34:13-24 (KJV): 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us: 15. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he [was] more honourable than all the house of his father. 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.22. Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they [are] circumcised. 23. [Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? Only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Because the brothers of Dinah were still angry with Shechem, therefore they deceived him in order to revenge. Shechem and Hamor accepted the condition put forward –circumcision of all men in the land. It took them some time to convince their country men. They said one thing to Jacob’s family and different thing to their country men just to get their consent. Sin has no respect for anybody be they old or young, man or woman, boy or girl, poor or wealthy, the ruler or the subject.
Circumcision was the external rite by which persons were admitted members of the ancient church (Exodus 12:48). But that outward rite could not make the Shechemites true Israelites. Nothing is said of their teaching the people to worship the true God, but only of their insisting on their being circumcised; and it is evident that they did not seek to convert Shechem, but only made a show of religion- a cloak to cover their diabolical design which is yet to be revealed. Because the issue of rape was still pending, unresolved and the offender was yet to admit being guilty, seek forgiveness and probably restitute, therefore the grief was still there and the anger was hot and bottled. As a result they answered Shechem deceitfully. They were aiming at revenge.
PROVERBS 6:32-35(KJV)
32. [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:34 (WEB) For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.
Proverbs 6:35 (RSV) He will accept no compensation, nor be appeased though you multiply gifts.
GREED
Shechem, his father and the leaders of the town fell for the bait.
Proverbs 13:16 (RSV) In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Proverbs 14:12 (RSV) There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:15 (WEB) A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Shechem fell because of his inordinate affection for Dinah; his father fell because he wanted Dinah to marry his son at all cost thereby satisfy his son’s desire; the leaders fell because of their greed (quest for material gain), Genesis 34:23. They were after Jacob’s livestock and his other possessions to be gained from this bilateral relationship. They did not think twice before they ‘signed memorandum of understanding’ and agreed to be circumcised.
Proverbs 28:22 (DBY) He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:25 (RSV) A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
Proverbs 27:12 (RSV) A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.
(TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART 2)
WATCH WHAT YOU SEE
Genesis 6:2(KJV).That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Genesis 39:7 (KJV).And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, lie with me.
Joshua 7:21 (KJV) When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Judges14:1 (KJV) And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Judges 14:2 (KJV).And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
WATCH OUT
Job 31:1 (WEB) "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?”
Job 31:4 (MKJV) “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?”
Matthew 5:28 (TCNT) I, however, say to you that any one who looks at a woman with an impure intention has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Blue film, pornography books, naked pictures of opposite sex, wild parties etc. are not good for you. They are caterpillars that destroy ones holiness. Watch what you see, her, and touch or handle. They may set you on fire. Shechem might have spoken softly to her, telling her what she is and what she is not in order to arouse her feeling. He later touched her; and with little or no resistance from her, he proceeded to the next stage and they entered the place of no return.
We should avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. Those who wander out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
Genesis 34:3-4(BBE) Genesis 34:3 (BBE) Then his heart went out in love to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he said comforting words to her. And Shechem said to Hamor, his father, Get me this girl for my wife.
There must have been time and opportunities of acquaintance to produce the strong attachment that Shechem had for her sister Dinah. It appears evidently from this verse that there had been no consent on the part of Dinah, that the whole episode might have been an act of violence.
Young persons, especially females are never so safe and well off as under the care of pious parents. Their own ignorance, and the flattery and artifices of designing, wicked people, who ever laying snares for them, expose them to great danger. They are their own enemies if they desire to go abroad, especially alone, among strangers to true religion. It was excessively wicked in Shechem to take this undue advantage of the daughter of a respectable stranger, who had sought his friendship and came to sojourn among his people, and whose righteous dealing they must have witnessed for at least seven to eight years. Proverbs 25:28 (RSV) “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
You should not steal or take by force what you can ask the owner for the permission to use. There is no ground for you to test run your marriage before you are legally married. As far as God is concern, no reason is tenable. Hebrews 13:4 (MKJV) Marriage [is] honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Genesis 34:5 (KJV) And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. The good man held his peace, as one astonished that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss.
Proverbs 11:12 (RSV) He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 (RSV) He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Ecclesiastes3:1, 7 (RSV) for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
It should seem he had left the management of his affair very much to his sons, and he would do nothing without them. Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity. Too much liberty is not to be given to youths.
I t is wrong of Jacob to leave his daughter unprotected, to visit the daughters of the land. Those parents are very wrong who do not hinder their children from needlessly exposing themselves to danger. Next to the fear and love of God, the guardianship of parents is the great safeguard of children. The environment we keep our children in as parents will either make or mar them. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom and Gomorrah after he separated from Abraham. After a long time of sojourning in the land, they were asked to leave the place I hurry, with specific instruction not to look back. His wife remembered her jewelry, trinkets and their wealth in Sodom being on fire, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. His two daughters were later put in the family way by him through manipulation. (Read Genesis 13:10-13; 19:1-9, 14-17, 30-38). What a shame!
Genesis 34:6-7(BBE) Then Hamor, the father of Shechem, came out to have a talk with Jacob. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the fields when they had news of it, and they were wounded and very angry because of the shame he had done in Israel by having connection with Jacob's daughter; and they said, such a thing is not to be done.
Jacob only daughter, Dinah we suppose her, the mother’s fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proved neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or happiest that are most indulged. The brothers were grieved and greatly wroth to hear that the pride of the family. Sister Dinah had lost her honour and glory. She had been deflowered, ravished, and disgraced. She was debauched. Proverbs 10:1 (BBE) A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. She brought reproach to the name of the Lord. You must watch where you go and who you associate with because it may cause grief to your family one day. Indulged children like Dinah, often become a grief and shame to their families.
(To be continued).
Genesis 6:2(KJV).That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Genesis 39:7 (KJV).And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, lie with me.
Joshua 7:21 (KJV) When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Judges14:1 (KJV) And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Judges 14:2 (KJV).And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
WATCH OUT
Job 31:1 (WEB) "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?”
Job 31:4 (MKJV) “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?”
Matthew 5:28 (TCNT) I, however, say to you that any one who looks at a woman with an impure intention has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Blue film, pornography books, naked pictures of opposite sex, wild parties etc. are not good for you. They are caterpillars that destroy ones holiness. Watch what you see, her, and touch or handle. They may set you on fire. Shechem might have spoken softly to her, telling her what she is and what she is not in order to arouse her feeling. He later touched her; and with little or no resistance from her, he proceeded to the next stage and they entered the place of no return.
We should avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. Those who wander out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
Genesis 34:3-4(BBE) Genesis 34:3 (BBE) Then his heart went out in love to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he said comforting words to her. And Shechem said to Hamor, his father, Get me this girl for my wife.
There must have been time and opportunities of acquaintance to produce the strong attachment that Shechem had for her sister Dinah. It appears evidently from this verse that there had been no consent on the part of Dinah, that the whole episode might have been an act of violence.
Young persons, especially females are never so safe and well off as under the care of pious parents. Their own ignorance, and the flattery and artifices of designing, wicked people, who ever laying snares for them, expose them to great danger. They are their own enemies if they desire to go abroad, especially alone, among strangers to true religion. It was excessively wicked in Shechem to take this undue advantage of the daughter of a respectable stranger, who had sought his friendship and came to sojourn among his people, and whose righteous dealing they must have witnessed for at least seven to eight years. Proverbs 25:28 (RSV) “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
You should not steal or take by force what you can ask the owner for the permission to use. There is no ground for you to test run your marriage before you are legally married. As far as God is concern, no reason is tenable. Hebrews 13:4 (MKJV) Marriage [is] honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Genesis 34:5 (KJV) And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. The good man held his peace, as one astonished that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss.
Proverbs 11:12 (RSV) He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 (RSV) He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Ecclesiastes3:1, 7 (RSV) for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
It should seem he had left the management of his affair very much to his sons, and he would do nothing without them. Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity. Too much liberty is not to be given to youths.
I t is wrong of Jacob to leave his daughter unprotected, to visit the daughters of the land. Those parents are very wrong who do not hinder their children from needlessly exposing themselves to danger. Next to the fear and love of God, the guardianship of parents is the great safeguard of children. The environment we keep our children in as parents will either make or mar them. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom and Gomorrah after he separated from Abraham. After a long time of sojourning in the land, they were asked to leave the place I hurry, with specific instruction not to look back. His wife remembered her jewelry, trinkets and their wealth in Sodom being on fire, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. His two daughters were later put in the family way by him through manipulation. (Read Genesis 13:10-13; 19:1-9, 14-17, 30-38). What a shame!
Genesis 34:6-7(BBE) Then Hamor, the father of Shechem, came out to have a talk with Jacob. Now the sons of Jacob came in from the fields when they had news of it, and they were wounded and very angry because of the shame he had done in Israel by having connection with Jacob's daughter; and they said, such a thing is not to be done.
Jacob only daughter, Dinah we suppose her, the mother’s fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proved neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or happiest that are most indulged. The brothers were grieved and greatly wroth to hear that the pride of the family. Sister Dinah had lost her honour and glory. She had been deflowered, ravished, and disgraced. She was debauched. Proverbs 10:1 (BBE) A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. She brought reproach to the name of the Lord. You must watch where you go and who you associate with because it may cause grief to your family one day. Indulged children like Dinah, often become a grief and shame to their families.
(To be continued).
THE ADVENTURE OF DINAH (PART ONE)
Once upon a time there was a family of God in the land of Canaan. This family was blessed with many children-eleven sons and a daughter. They were travelers and strangers in Canaan for they were going to a promise land. At this point in time they settled in Shalem, a city of Shechem. They lived in tent, so they pitch their tent outside the city on a parcel of land bought by their father. They have relationship with God; they knew God and worship Him. They were covenant carriers, and as such made a special place where they worshipped Him-El-Elohel-Israel (God, the God of Israel).
Dinah, the only daughter of the family, usually stayed at home when her brothers were away in the field with their animals-cattle, sheep and goats. She sometimes helped with the house chores and when there was nothing to do at home, she played around. They had been in this land for about seven to eight years. They were quite acquainted with the people of the land. One day, after attending to the normal house chores, sister Dinah decided to visit her friends in the city as usual, but this time not in the company of her brothers. She went alone and something happened
Genesis 33:18-20 (NKJV)
Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.
Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
They were sojourning in Shechem. They did not have a continue city there as a result they built temporary place of abode (camp) and lived in tent. They had their own lifestyles which they strictly adhered to. They did not abandon their God for the gods of the land.
Genesis 34:1 (KJV)
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
ONE DAY
She went out to see, and to be seen. Sister Dinah went out for a purpose,-to see her friends (the young women living in the land), but it may be with same thought of seeing the sons of the land too. Her pretence 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 out to get acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their ways. Her vain curiosity exposed her to danger. The pride and vanity of young people push them into many snares. She went out perhaps unknown to her father but by the connivance of her mother ot see the daughters of the land. You must be wary of where you go, or the occasion/function you attend-carnivals, parties, etc. Don’t allow sentiment to push you there: “It is my friend, relative, boss etc that is organizing the party, therefore I must attend.” Foul! Have you asked God? There may be danger ahead.
Judges19
19. Then they said, Behold, [there is] a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly [in a place] which [is] on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
20. Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
21. And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
22. And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, [that] ye should be guilty.
23. And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
You need to enquire from God, should I go? Should I stay back at home? They were women in Shiloh-house of God. They were people of God so to say. They went to that annual carnival and became wives overnight. Prematurely!
And Shechem saw her……
Genesis 34:2 (KJV).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.
It is highly probable that sister Dinah had been often and freely mixing in the society of the palace and she, being simple an inexperienced, and vain young woman, had been flattered by the attention of the ruler’s son. Shechem the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her and raped.
(To be continued)
Dinah, the only daughter of the family, usually stayed at home when her brothers were away in the field with their animals-cattle, sheep and goats. She sometimes helped with the house chores and when there was nothing to do at home, she played around. They had been in this land for about seven to eight years. They were quite acquainted with the people of the land. One day, after attending to the normal house chores, sister Dinah decided to visit her friends in the city as usual, but this time not in the company of her brothers. She went alone and something happened
Genesis 33:18-20 (NKJV)
Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.
Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
They were sojourning in Shechem. They did not have a continue city there as a result they built temporary place of abode (camp) and lived in tent. They had their own lifestyles which they strictly adhered to. They did not abandon their God for the gods of the land.
Genesis 34:1 (KJV)
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
ONE DAY
She went out to see, and to be seen. Sister Dinah went out for a purpose,-to see her friends (the young women living in the land), but it may be with same thought of seeing the sons of the land too. Her pretence 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 out to get acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their ways. Her vain curiosity exposed her to danger. The pride and vanity of young people push them into many snares. She went out perhaps unknown to her father but by the connivance of her mother ot see the daughters of the land. You must be wary of where you go, or the occasion/function you attend-carnivals, parties, etc. Don’t allow sentiment to push you there: “It is my friend, relative, boss etc that is organizing the party, therefore I must attend.” Foul! Have you asked God? There may be danger ahead.
Judges19
19. Then they said, Behold, [there is] a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly [in a place] which [is] on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
20. Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
21. And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
22. And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, [that] ye should be guilty.
23. And the children of Benjamin did so, and took [them] wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.
You need to enquire from God, should I go? Should I stay back at home? They were women in Shiloh-house of God. They were people of God so to say. They went to that annual carnival and became wives overnight. Prematurely!
And Shechem saw her……
Genesis 34:2 (KJV).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.
It is highly probable that sister Dinah had been often and freely mixing in the society of the palace and she, being simple an inexperienced, and vain young woman, had been flattered by the attention of the ruler’s son. Shechem the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her and raped.
(To be continued)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)