Good morning!
Today is a reflection day.
Good morning!
Text: Genesis 33-35; Psalm 12
Every bit of Scripture has meaning for us. Embedded within the powerful story of God establishing the tribe of Israel is the disturbing account of the massacre at Shechem. Dinah, Jacob’s daughter has been raped by Shechem, and her older brothers take action. The story ends with this little exchange:
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.” But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?”
There is a tension in view here – one that we sometimes face. The boys have executed their version of justice, and their father has chastised them for creating risk. Jacob’s reaction here makes sense. Sometimes we do not act to confront evil or impurity because to do so might bring us harm. Now, I am not calling Jacob out here, but it begs the question – is this what it looks like to compromise out of cowardice? It makes me wonder if I have ever let something slide for the wrong reasons.
in Him, Mike