02/05/2023 - A FATHER’S DILEMMA

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Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. Genesis 34.6

Those who fail to teach their children the right way will spend a lot of time trying to make amends with whomever they do wrong. Liberal upbringing, which doesn’t care about the attitudes of the children, will cause the parents to suffer irreparable damage. Upon realizing his wrongdoing, Shechem asked his father to speak to Jacob, proposing marriage to the newcomer’s daughter. The prince saw her worth too late!

Realizing what could happen to his family, Hamor sought Jacob so that they could work things out. Without a doubt, the heart of the Hevite patriarch was beating fast, for he didn’t know how the Hebrew patriarch would react. After all, the damage to the family would be beyond measure. Shechem’s father did the right thing: if he sought Jacob to apologize, he could be attacked by Dinah’s brothers, who would be furious when they found out what had happened to their sister.

Two families that could have been friends, perhaps confederated with a mutual protection covenant – something necessary in those days – ended up separated by the pain that the Hivite prince shamelessly caused. At that moment, Jacob and Hamor had a problem that would not have existed if the young man had acted righteously. Why do some people let themselves be led by temptations, even if they know that it can cost them dearly? There are no words to describe! 

What excuse would Hamor give Jacob? The latter had come from afar and bought from Hamor’s sons the land he now occupied, paying the right price and investing in that place. Nothing the father of that senseless young man could say would ease Jacob’s pain once seeing his daughter abused. Those who saw the girl come to life and grow up hoped that she would marry like the other girls of her people. However, someone’s folishness destroyed the patriarch’s dreams!

We must never support the wrongdoings of our children. If we want to give them the best, we must teach them to respect anyone. Nothing is sadder than having to make amends with someone tremendously upset about the course of some adverse situation. The Bible commands: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22.6). That is the good way!

It’s good when a person fears God and refuses the suggestions of the kingdom of wickedness. Accepting the devil’s offerings means committing yourself to the work that will make you Satan’s subject. Shechem didn’t think about the compromise of himself and his family. However, when he realized his foolishness, he pleaded with his father to get right with Jacob. Bad actions will always bring great suffering. Would it help to talk to Dinah’s father?

Many Christians get involved in evil deeds, and after being entangled in the webs of the evil one, they are unable to cry out for the Lord’s forgiveness. The right thing is to fear the Almighty and before doing any evil against your neighbor – you need to pray and ask for Heaven’s help, to prevent your hands from doing something wrong (Psalm 26.6). Your conscience will weigh you down if the sin is consummated. Let yourself be guided by the love of the Most High and flee from sin!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares