I am pretty curious by nature and have always loved to learn, how about you? This week my curiosity led me to a video that ended with a man singing his favorite hymn, The Love of God. I was really surprised to learn that one of my favorite songs we sang at Grace years ago, was not a Mercy Me original, but a hymn written in 1917 by Fredrick Lehman. I do love surprises and hope you welcome the little surprises that God sprinkles into your day.
Why am I talking about surprises? Well I was surprised by several things I read in this week’s Bible study.
Let’s take a closer look!
Genesis 34
The account recorded in chapter 34 began with a tragic incident. Dinah, the only sister of Jacob’s children recorded, left the security of her new home base and ended up in the home of the prince of the land. Unfortunately, this read much more like a horror story than a fairytale.
So many questions surface for me– maybe for you too.
- God sent Jacob back to this land from Paddan Aram so why would He allow Dinah to be raped? This is not what anyone would have expected and this wrong opened the door to many other wrongs the sons of Jacob charged right through. The fact that it even happened, surprised me.
- When Jacob learned of it, he was quiet. That surprised me. Maybe it was too much of a shock. Maybe he wanted to talk to the whole family before acting. Maybe he was seeking the Lord in prayer. Maybe he wanted the reinforcement of all of these strapping young men.
- Soon thereafter Shechem enlists his dad to try to negotiate a deal with Jacob for Dinah. When I read this, it reminded me a little bit of David and Bathsheba. David knew her beforehand and kept looking, and wanting, until he was obsessed, and took her. It seems to me that similarly, when the whole clan arrived in Shechem, Jacob bought land from this family, it was quite likely Shechem was involved in that transaction and I can imagine that Dinah caught his eye then. Time passed, he obsessed, and instead of proposing a marriage arrangement, he just took her. Regardless, I was surprised by Sheckem’s continued interest in Dinah and as we read further he seems quite desperate to make a life with her.
Not only does the household of Hamor go along with this, but the whole town also does. That’s shocking. They must have either been tyrants as leaders or they were very good salesmen. Let’s face it, circumcision is not something the guys all get together and do for fun, they were willing to pay a price for this arrangement. - Jacob’s sons’ actions are NOT a surprise, sadly, but what was a surprise is that Levi is one of the brothers with the HOT TEMPER who is later set apart from the rest of the tribes for the priestly duties, assisting Aaron (Moses’ brother). Isn’t that something? Hmmm. God does not choose the same people we would choose.
- Of course, the whole thing ends with killing and stealing and Jacob is now in a precarious situation with the inhabitants of the land. Do you remember back just a few chapters ago how Abraham was so well honored and loved by the people there? He was a blessing to every place that he settled. It seems as though Jacob is starting things out in quite an opposite way.
Genesis 35
However, as bleak as things looked for Jacob’s family in what used to be Shechem, God calls on Jacob again and protects him as he moves on to Bethel.
- The first thing that stands out to me is in verse 2, “get rid of the foreign gods”. After these ups and downs, he was concerned with 100% dedication to the Lord, God Almighty, and none other. Isn’t that surprising? In addition, Jacob memorializes every encounter with God. He doesn’t ever want to forget it, nor I would hope, does he want the generations to follow to forget. These altars and monuments to the Lord have been important landmarks for God’s people for thousands of years now.
- Jacob is given a new start and new name, now living life as Israel (meaning wrestles with God). It is surprising to me how God gives new chances over and over again to anyone who is willing to follow and obey.
- Sad departing of Rachel, and Isaac had not been gone that long either. It is good to remember that these are real people with heartaches and struggles just like we have. Israel was suffering the loss of his beloved wife, carrying on with the birth of the son who could easily be blamed for that loss as a single dad (at least it would feel that way) and he “moved on” as God was leading.
- This mention of Rueben with Bihah is a quickly inserted fact that will resurface later. Isn’t it sad to see people with so much blessing from God and so much responsibility fall into temptation? Yes, and is that real life? Yes.
- Do you know what finally surprised me in this chapter? The two tribes that are most notable in the future of Israel both came from Leah, the wife who was not wanted. Levi, as mentioned before with the responsibility of worship, but even more importantly, Judah. Hmmm, unexpected.
Genesis 36
The only thing that was running through my mind through the list of Esau’s descendants was the judgment that all of these people would face in the future. The surprise came to me when I looked up the prophecies of their judgments. Just take a quick walk through the number of major and minor prophets who have foretold all that is coming in the future of Edom. It is not good. Was there ever a moment of repentance that would change the tragedy?
challenge
I know this post is much more rambling this week than in others, but what can we do with all of these musings and questions?
- God does not undo the mistakes that we make, nor does He keep us sheltered from all evil. He walks with us through them and uses them to make something good. Romans 8:28.
- God uses every man, woman, and child that is available, teachable, and faithful. He does not ask for perfection He asked for devotion. Follow Him. Worship Him. Obey Him. Your life will be a monument for people to see the work of an all-powerful, all-mighty God.
Oh, one more thing, I hope you are continually surprised by God’s word. Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is powerful, it should be powerful enough to surprise you into loving God even deeper than before and wearing that renewed passion everywhere you go.