27/05/2023 - LIKE A HARLOT

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But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?” Genesis 34.31

It’s beautiful to see the love that Jacob’s children had for their sister Dinah. When they thought of the shame to which she had been subjected, they did not rest until they avenged the wickedness committed by the son of the greatest of that land. They exposed themselves in a hard and terrible war, with their numbers much smaller than the inhabitants of the place. For this, they had to use a ruse, so that all would be delivered into their hands. Dinah’s brothers left the land with her!

It does not matter how much we have to suffer in prayer for our relatives, but rather how much God will do on their behalf. The Word of the Lord speaks of the love that we must have for our relatives: But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5.8). Surely, the Father will require from our hands the blood of those who are lost, if we do not do our best to save them!

The Lord does not have grandchildren, but children. People who are converted to Christ are forgiven and initiated in the process of being born again. After repentance, they need to go through water baptism by immersion, so that their iniquities are buried, and then receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. From then on, they can help others to be saved as well.

Dinah’s brothers set her free, after killing the men of the city, and compared the act of Shechem to what wicked individuals do to harlots. The young woman deserved a happy marriage in which she would become a mother. However, from the prince’s point of view, Dinah had become his property. Now, for what was done to her, the prince suffered the harshest reprimand – death. At that time, there was no law as we know it today!

Parents who do not seek to know about their children’s lives leave them at the mercy of prostitution and will therefore reap bad fruit. After all, whatever is sown will produce according to its kind. You see, it is each one’s obligation to take care of his or her own. If we were in Dinah’s place, we would want protection. Whoever is consecrated to God takes care of the immature in faith. Whoever is faithful unto death will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2.10)!

Parents who do not seek to know about their children’s lives leave them at the mercy of prostitution and will therefore reap bad fruit. After all, whatever is sown will produce according to its kind. You see, it is each one’s obligation to take care of his or her own. If we were in Dinah’s place, we would want protection. Whoever is consecrated to God takes care of the immature in faith. Whoever is faithful unto death will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2.10)!

Don’t let your Dinah know how girls who don’t know the Lord live, for she will be contaminated by the things she will see and hear, as well as challenged to take her first steps into sin. Mercy! This is how the Most High speaks to those who consecrate themselves to Him: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15.33). Whoever believes will be spared from sorrows. Watch and pray!

The tragedy suffered by the Hivites would have been avoided if Dinah had not gone to see how the girls of the land lived. She had much to give and nothing to receive from the girls of her age. However, because she didn’t remain alert, the result was the saddest. Take care of your family, and it will give you eternal joy. Always, brother!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares