26/05/2023 - JACOB’S WORDS

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Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.” Genesis 34.30

Jacob was worried about Simeon and Levi’s attitude, even though he knew that the wickedness done to Dinah could not go unpunished. The prince only thought of the pleasure he wanted to feel by possessing her, he didn’t control himself or follow the normal protocol of life and gave himself to the devil, inflicting damage to Israel. “Sons, you have troubled me, leading to a change of order!” is what Jacob said. Were the sons right or wrong in acting that way? It’s hard to judge without complete impartiality!

Our actions are like fragrance, good or bad. Within the hearts of the people who lived in that region there would be a concealed attitude about whether or not to trust the heir to the promise. About two thousand years later, Paul talked about this: For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2.15). Jesus declared that today is different, for we are of another spirit (Luke 9.55).

The Canaanites and the Perizzites also lived near them, and it troubled Jacob’s heart what they might say or do to them. He still did not understand what had caused his daughter to suffer such shame, but he could never deny that justice had to be done for this crime. However, the people did not understand the difference that should exist between them. The patriarch went into prayer, for that door had to be shut.

Concern took over the heart of Isaac’s son, who was a meek man, transformed by God and set a good example for him. Jacob answered his father-in-law, who had deceived him ten times, by telling him the truth: Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night (Genesis 31.42). What a difference!

For Jacob, the enemies could get together and destroy his people, but after he prayed, he saw what he should do. Isaac’s attitude toward the Philistines taking the water wells made all the difference, but his sons acted differently. One cannot act similarly as it happened in every situation recorded in the Bible, but according to how the Lord instructs us. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God  (Romans 8.14). That’s the difference!

The patriarch knew that he and his children had a mission to fulfill on Earth, and this made them more cautious, because they could not be destroyed. Respect for Heaven’s choice makes the difference in the lives of the saved. If we are guided by the Spirit, further ahead we will thank God for having used us. The line of separation between good and evil is only seen in the Word!

Jacob worried about being destroyed by people who would avenge those who harmed his family. His concern was the mission he had received from God, but this would be shown to him later. In that case, his sons acted correctly.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares