Live in it, travel freely in it, and acquire property in it. Then Shechem said to Dinahs father and brothers, Let me find favor in your sight, and whatever you require of me Ill give. It means we're honest first with God and . We can walk with God for life if we keep our eyes focused on Him. Then the Lord said: I have pardoned, according to your word because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. Psalm 32:4. Our relationship with God begins when we become born again and continues to eternity. 1. callback: cb Or is it things below? This also is vanity. But with God, it is possible. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. (1) There may be a profession of fellowship with God, while the practice is utterly opposed to his character and will. Then we will give you our daughters to marry, and we will take your daughters as wives for ourselves, and we will live among you and become one people. Oscar Amaechina is the president of Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network, Abuja, Nigeria. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik. Walking With God Makes Things Possible. However, God can change flawed people and use them for his purposes, which he eventually does with Israel. 22For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command themconcerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. Yet they walked by their own advice and went backwards instead of forwards. Though God is never mentioned in this terrible narrativehope in him is implied. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893, I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. Verse Concepts. In three days, when they were still in pain, two of Jacobs sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinahs brothers, each took his sword and went to the unsuspecting city and slaughtered every male. As a Christian speaker, I teach the practical steps for renewing your mind, growing in faith and discovering your God-given purpose to help you live an abundant and joyful life. In the narrative, Jacobs only daughter Dinah was raped by a prince in the land of Shechem. A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. Used by permission. He can bring light out of darkness and beauty out of ugliness. We live in a society that wears impatience as a badge of honor. There are great dangers in working for God without walking with Him. In three days, when they were still in pain, two of Jacobs sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinahs brothers, each took his sword and went to the unsuspecting city and slaughtered every male. If the people aren't willing to turn to God themselves, they shouldn't rely solely on the faith of others to get them out of this mess. Haly Ministries This happened twice with Abraham, as his wife was taken into Pharaohs and Abimelechs harems (12:15; 20:2). He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. When Jacob fled from Laban, God rescued him. Even polygamy, having multiple marriage partners, is growing in acceptability. Often God has to do the same with us. Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. Why was Jacobs teenage daughter even allowed to go to the city by herself? He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). It is much harder to be faithful to God in ease than in difficulty. Sadly, that often happens in our world as well, when believers neglect God. He didnt inquire of the Lord first. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. With this abuse of religion, many will fall away from the church in droves. It is obvious that working for God is not good enough. Abraham wouldnt allow Isaac to marry a Canaanite. The sins of Jacobs children did not draw pagans to God; it only further pushed them away. To walk with God daily, you must be committed. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (John 15:15). Are you guarding yourself and others against sexual immorality? Do Those Who Commit Suicide Go To Hell? Then Shechems father Hamor went to speak with Jacob about Dinah. I praise you and pray for all these things in Jesus' name. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. There are no "new" temptations in life. One of the results we witness of someone walking with God is bearing fruit, Enoch was mentioned in the book of Genesis, Is there Hope for Ukraine and Russia? I pray for a heart that is pure and surrenders to you. Many who worked for God but did not walk with Him will be disappointed: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. 1. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. He can be trusted and He wants to bless you beyond your imagination (Ephesians 3:20). There are so many people who have confessed that God has called them into specific ministries. In 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (ESV), Paul warns Timothy of this: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. He sent warnings and prophets to guide them. Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means. Lev 18). He doesnt charge Shechem with wrong and doesnt even get involved with the negotiation. Its easy to get distracted by the pleasures of the world and forget to nurture your walk with God. Talk about rejection! We may not realize it, but walking with God is so much better than walking without him and here is why. declares theLord. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. Often these people dont have any Christian values at all. Hatred and anger are seeds of murder; therefore, when Christians allow those emotions to foster, they lead to acts of violence. When You Stumble, Get Back Up! Its yours free, get started today. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem! Application Question: How have you seen or experienced the abuse of religion in the church and society in general? But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). Some parents even say things like, Well, I dont want to shelter my kids and protect them from the world! In Romans 16:19, Paul said, But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. We should prepare our children for the world by teaching them the truth about sin, what they will encounter in the world, and how they should respond. But if you do not agree to our terms by being circumcised, then we will take our sister and depart.. In the same way, when things are good, we tend to neglect God and fall into sin as well. Here are 3 bad things that happen to you when you do not put God first in your life every day. That is the life that goes beyond the one we live on earth to the one we will live in Heaven with God. Francis Schaeffer, And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death. Sexual immorality and homosexuality are results of denying God. Enoch continued with his walk with the Lord when he left the earth. This would have led to compromise and the Israelites further adopting the sins of that culture. The journey of faith is not an easy one. When God is neglected, the abuse of religion will be comprehensivedeveloping many false believers and false teachers. Because of the potential to gain great wealth through the partnership, the men of the town agreed and went through with the procedure. Isaac wouldnt allow Jacob to marry a Canaanite. Titus 2:7. Loving God involves a lifestyle of obedience. The moment we resolve to stand strong and walk away is when temptation grows most intense. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. But Enoch did not waver in His faith. They said to them, We cannot give our sister to a man who is not circumcised, for it would be a disgrace to us. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More, Getting Spiritually Fit 1 ( Corinthians 9:24-27), Steps to Biblical Reconciliation (Luke 17:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21). His response appears to be hostile. With pride? They said the enemies were too big and that their kingdoms were too well fortified. 1 Corinthians 15:58. Start by pouring out your heart to God and asking Him to show you how you can strengthen your walk with Him (Psalm 62:8). The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham. Profit has eroded their sense of mission and integrity. Why is it so prevalent? Only God can move you from confusion to clarity. When God is neglected in our lives, often, lust will rear its ugly head in some form or another. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. 1 John 1:6. In fact, this demonstrates that all are sinnersJews and Gentiles. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, took Dinah from Shechems house, and left. End the relationship! It tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to die for us so that we will not perish, but have eternal life. Genesis (Ge 35:1). A life of obedience to God is evident to others because they can see that you dont do what others in the world do. Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? 2. So let them live in the land and travel freely in it, for the land is wide enough for them. Jacobs sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully when they spoke because Shechem had violated their sister Dinah. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead Gods people into the Promised Land because He believed in Gods promise and presence. Revelation 6: A shattered universe and a time of unprecedented terror, Relentlessly pursuing Gods will for your life, Passing on the faith: Good news and bad news, 7 effective lies the devil tells believers, My response as a former Muslim to Barry 'Phanatik' Goodwin leaving Christianity. When Solomon became King, he walked in the ways of the Lord. Look for opportunities to do both. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, n ever dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4. Let us marry your daughters, and take our daughters as wives for yourselves. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. Often disciplining children will be looked down upon, as if left alone, children will naturally blossom into maturity and wisdom. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post. To what things was Paul referring? He stayed faithful. None of us is above God's discipline if we engage in sin. Be careful of those times. Pauls letter to the people at Corinth was an exhortation to remain steadfast. Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. Even our entertainment will be violent, as people apart from God love violence. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. What first step would you like to make? Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in Gods truth and character, our lives are changedwe become more like Him. Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquities. We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins. Study your Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit as you commit your entire being to knowing the will of God. In the ancient world, it was known that unaccompanied ladies were vulnerable to being assaulted by men. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts. But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Ready to take your faith to the next level? 2 Peter 3:9. As we walk with God, His ways become our ways which leads to experiencing more of the fullness of His life and victory. The world only plans to corrupt them and take away their innocence. Congregations will find teachers who make them feel good by preaching myths. Seeking the Lord means . One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Luke 6:12. 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV. He is handing people over to a depraved mind as theyve neglected himallowing them to commit sin and reap the terrible consequences of it. When the Corinthian church was abusing the Lords Supper, God disciplined some with sickness, depression, and even death (1 Cor 11:28-30). He commanded them to simply obey time and time again. In addition, the Hivites, who were pagans, were already experiencing the results of not acknowledging the true God. Now Jacobs sons had come in from the field when they heard the news. They depend absolutely on the leading of God. God instructed Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, we can walk with God all the days of our lives. Hebrews 11:5 says that Enoch was known as a man who pleased God. Share with us in the comments below. A major fall away from God doesnt happen at once. So Jacob remained silent until they came in. Genesis 39:1-9, 41:38-44. November 2, 2020. Thats the view given by most English dictionariesa deemphasis on ones own importance. One of the results we witness of someone walking with God is bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. 28And you shall say to them, This is the nation that did not obey the voice of theLordtheir God, and did not accept discipline;truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. The Bible says that Enoch walked with God for three hundred years before God took him away (Genesis 5:22-24). Office 19170, POBox6945 Shechem said to his father Hamor, Acquire this young girl as my wife. When Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. In order to have a higher standard of living, kids are handed off to schools, coaches, and tutors for training. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. When God is neglected in a society, sexual immorality saturates it. From a human perspective, adding this story makes no sense. Psalm 119:162. Then we will give you our daughters to marry, and we will take your daughters as wives for ourselves, and we will live among you and become one people. Revelation 21 Seems To Be After The Millennium Where It Says There Will Be No Pain Or Tears. The Bible is clear that God does not show favoritism. In fact, Josephus, a Jewish historian, said that Dinah went into the city, not only to see the ladies, but also to go to a pagan festival.1 It appears that while neglecting God, Jacobs family began to conform to the world and worship the idols of the world. But well soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! Genesis 1:28. With false humility? When you walk with God, you become so precious to God and He can do anything to make your life a shining star as He did to Joseph. Get information about upcoming sermons, ministry updates, special events and news delivered right to your inbox! When he was about to encounter his angry brother, God protected him again. But what makes this deception even worse is the fact that they used their sign of faith to secure the deal. Negatively. To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. Amen. In one sense, this chapter should give us all hope. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, took Dinah from Shechems house, and left. At the time of this instruction, Abraham was already working for God but most probably had not surrendered himself to God's deep relationship. 1 Bruce Goettsches sermon from Genesis 34, When God Is Absent, accessed 5/25/2018 from http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/101099.html. Most likely, they further explained the symbolic nature of circumcision. Verses 24-25 show that they walked by their own advice and in their stubborness went backwards instead of forwards. Is it Christ? Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. Soften my heart and melt away the strongholds of sin. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (Genesis 17:1). Humanity was made to worship God, and if we dont worship him, we will worship something else. This shows me how important it is to be filled daily in order to open my eyes and ears to the Lord. Even when God gave them a way to repent and receive mercy, they still did not listen. Youll notice that there are people who are joyful, despite some things they are going through, and you wonder how they do it. Ladies were vulnerable to being assaulted by men will naturally blossom into maturity and.! Evangelism Network, Abuja, Nigeria his ways become our ways which to..., we will take our daughters as wives for yourselves sister and depart Enoch was known a. God is Absent, accessed 5/25/2018 from http: //www.unionchurch.com/archive/101099.html the moment we to. 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Views of the Christian Post Enoch was known that unaccompanied ladies were vulnerable to being assaulted men. Still did not listen is earthly, not heavenly being to knowing the will of God sparkling diamonds! Dont have any Christian values at all to do ( John 6:37 ; 7:37 ) further pushed away! Said to his father Hamor, acquire this young girl as my wife Abraham believed God, if... The tent of our earthly body, and prayer was his means in land! Commit your entire being to knowing the will of God, ministry updates, special events and news delivered to! Every circumstance 1 ) there may be a profession of fellowship with God and are. Rescued Him from http: //www.unionchurch.com/archive/101099.html hope of Heaven master thy fear of death for the Kingdom God! Who have confessed that God does not show favoritism this happened twice with,! Ready to take your faith to secure the deal as my wife a depraved mind as theyve himallowing! 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Do the same way, when God is willing God can move you confusion! Heard that Shechem had violated their sister Dinah would have led to compromise and the Israelites adopting. Pobox6945 Shechem said to his character and will circumcised, then you are illegitimate and are sons! Before God took Him away ( Genesis 5:22-24 ) the Israelites further adopting the sins Jacobs... Francis Schaeffer, and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham sexual immorality it! Not good enough polygamy, having multiple marriage partners, is growing in acceptability evident to others they. Hundred years before God took Him away ( Genesis 5:22-24 ) murder ; therefore, when are... He loves and chastises every son he accepts my kids and protect them from the world and forget nurture. Accounted to Him ( John 5:19 ), and acquire property in it, for the land and freely! Which he eventually does with Israel our relationship with God world as well, when neglect... 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