30/04/2023 - OUT-OF-TIME REQUEST

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So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.” Genesis 34.4

The Hivite prince, son of Hamor, was desperate. After abusing Dinah, he sought her by speaking affectionately. As he was repentant and willing to content her and her family satisfaction, he sought out his father to convince Jacob and his sons to let him marry her. In his conscience, which agonized and tortured him, Shechem saw the way out that could be accepted and all would continue to be well: take her as his wife!

The good thing in life is to do everything in the right order, without causing shame or embarrassment to anyone. That is the least we should do with anyone, because that is what we would like them to do with us (Matthew 7.12). Shechem was enchanted by Dinah but for wrong reasons, and not to give her the happiness of a good marriage. Now, to turn a woman into a sexual object is not the attitude of good people. Now, out of fear, he wanted to marry her!

Since his father was rich and could pay a high dowry – as if this would solve the problem with her family – the prince went to him and told him what had happened in a way that would not incriminate him. Now, nothing is better than to live in a worthy way, but he preferred to do the opposite. We do not know if Shechem had done the same with other girls. However, with the heiress of the promise, the situation was different, and he felt in his soul what could happen to her. He wanted the best!

Jacob was shocked by what happened to his daughter, and would certainly ask God the reason why, since the promise was that Jehovah would be with him and his offspring, sons and daughters, the Lord’s inheritance (Genesis 26.3). Never give in to modernism, thinking that God will not judge those who make mistakes, as if things were different now. The Lord does not change (Malachi 3.6).

Was there any reason for Dinah to go see the girls of the land, to mingle with them, hear what she shouldn’t and learn to do wrong? In our country, there are teachers who teach that sexual freedom should be offered to each one, but condemn people who guide young people to save themselves for marriage. Why do such great harm to boys and girls? Satan’s servants are trying to corrupt mankind!

Who could be behind the moral corruption that we see preached everywhere? The worst thing is that many are paid to form good citizens and teach the subjects of the school curriculum, but they instill in the children’s minds what they are not prepared to hear. So, they do what should be done only in marriage and according to nature. No wonder most marriages today end in divorce. Be vigilant!

Why are there so many young people on drugs, committing robberies and other wrongdoings? Well, without good examples at home and at school, where teachers speak well of sin and even dishonesty, the youth will be lost. Those who belong to Christ must bear good testimony (Philippians 2.15); thus, they will be imitated.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares