Week 34, Day 4: The Temptation to Co-Exist
Today’s Reading: Genesis 34:1-31
Some thoughts from the reading…
Throughout the history of the Israelites, we see the temptation for them to co-exist with the idolatrous, wicked people of the land of Canaan. In Genesis 34, we see that very problem. One of Jacob’s daughters, Dinah, was raped by one of the men of Shechem. He “loved” her, and so pushed for an active relationship developed between the people of Jacob, and his own people.
Two of Dinah’s brothers devised the plan to convince all of the men of Shechem to become circumcised to become like the people of Jacob. When they were in pain from the procedure, Levi and Simeon went into the city and slew all of the men, and stole their sister back to their own camp. They were not going to tolerate the defilement of their sister, and took bold action to punish the wrong doers.
It is very interesting to see that these sons of Jacob used the invitation of co-existing to set their trap with the men of Shechem. The Israelites, from the time of Abraham, have been told to keep themselves separate from the sinful people around them. And yet, here they were flirting with (albeit deceptively) with the possibility of having a close relationship with the Canaanites. As we continue to follow the history of the Israelites, we will see that they will begin to encourage c0-existence with their neighbors in earnest. This is one of the very things that causes the downfall of the nation! They were unable to fight against the idolatry that is brought into their midst from those in the land around them. This is one of the very reasons that God specified that they were to keep themselves separated from those around them. If they had just obeyed God in this, they would have been much better off!
Question: What lessons should we learn from the warnings given to the Israelites dealing with their co-existing with the people of Canaan?
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Cynthia said :
September 3, 2009 at 9:29 pm
How many times did the Israelites pledge to obey God, then fall into idolatry? They faltered over and over again because they were lured into sin by the Canaanites. We are of the same human nature, and can so easily be lured into sin by people who are worldly if we constantly surround ourselves with them instead of with godly Christians.