Death and Deception

Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see some of the young women of the area. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivitem a prince of the region, saw her, he took her and raped her. He became infatuated with Dinah, daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke tenderly to her. "Get me this girl as a wife," he told his father.
Jacob heard Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned. Genesis 34:1-5

Why was Dinah out alone? She can't have been very old, perhaps a young teenager at most. What was Shechem thinking that he could take what he wanted and then smoothe things over afterwards?

As a young teenager I remember walking to the movies and home again late at night. There were two instances where I could have been in trouble. One was a strange youth who endeavoured to walk with me, there was a strong wind that night and I sensed danger so I rushed on and headed for home. Another time there was a young man, older than me, who tried to pick me up in his car and take me home. I didn't like this fellow so I refused but her drove around and around me insisting and I continued to refuse. I am grateful that in both instances the young men involved did not take advantage of me.

Although naieve I knew danger. Yet in all my life God has been good to me. The times I could have been taken advantage of and He protected me, even when I did not know Him. I am grateful.

Dinah was not so blessed. He brothers became so enraged that they deceived and killed not just the one young man but all the men in the village. Whether it was her foolishness or her mother's allowing her to go out alone we may never know but in this scripture we see deception alive and well in the family and now murder has joined in.

I am grateful my God protected my daughter in her foolishness and I pray for my granddaughters in hindsight, knowing all that can go wrong. I pray His presence will shadow them and keep them. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more