Genesis 34

Bible Gateway link Chapter 34





Some might argue that what Jacob's sons did they did out of protection of their family. I don't see that at all. The boys took matters into their own hands, not out of a sense of duty, nor out of a sense of spreading the word of God. Their actions reflect that of which we all can be guilty of. Their actions were carried out because their pride was damaged. When things happen in our life that we think needs our intervention, we should recall the words of Paul to the Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." The
Lord will repay those that harm us, we are children of a God that always protects, and we must have faith in him.

To make matters worse Jacob's sons use the one thing that should never be used to deceive. God's word. Praying the rosary does not make you Catholic, showing up for Church every Sunday does not make you a Christian. These are things that we use as ways to show our faith, there has to be meaning behind them or they are useless.

The Covenant of circumcision was a sign of faith. Simply doing it will not bring you in to the grace of God, you had to align our life with the beliefs of the Covenant for it to mean something.

To use any sign of God as a way to trick your enemy not only cheapens the worth of the ritual, it undermines the value of God to unbelievers. For us to use God's name in trickery is inferring that God is a cheat.

We see this today throughout our faith. People using the word of God to extract money for personal gain is an example that jumps to mind. As a result it makes it harder for honest people of the Lord to be taken seriously. Or people quoting Scripture as a way to incite hate and judgment. What Simeon, and Levi did was no different. How can people of the land (non-believers) take the God of Abraham seriously, if they cannot be sure what is held out as a Covenant will be honored or not? This is a good example of why it is so important for us to hold true to the teachings of Christ, not because we see an angle to work, but because it brings Glory and honor to the Lord. Jacob's sons had the opportunity to change the hearts of an entire town, instead they used God to kill them. May we all evaluate our intentions, and make sure that we are advancing the Glory of God, not our pride.



Peace,

Brian