SOAP 01/14/2014 Genesis 34:24

Today's reading: Genesis 34, 35, 36; Luke 14

S) "²⁴ All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city."

Genesis 34:24 (NASB)

     

O) This is scary on a few levels. For one thing, getting circumcised as an adult is terrifying to me. But, more importantly, it's frightening that an entire city could be convinced to do this, based on the argument of 2 men. Ultimately, they convinced the men of this city to do this because the city wanted to be able to marry the Israelites. It wasn't just Hamor and Shechem, though. Their whole argument was based on Shechem first marrying Dinah, and then the entire city being able to open trade with the Israelites through intermarrying with them. Perhaps the most appalling aspect to ponder, is what the married men of that city were thinking. They died because of their discontent.

A) The story of a man doing stupid things involving a woman is as old as men and women (see: Adam and Eve). But lustful passion, greed, and selfishness never start off this bad. I need to remember that stories like this are only a natural progression of sin. So, while it comes naturally to scoff at such folly, I need to remember that the only thing separating me from this story, could be time. And Jesus, thankfully.

P) Father, let me remember that stories like this are not far-fetched. Remind me how closely I've come to destruction, when left to my own sinful ways. Let me be on guard, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to protect myself from my own sinful desires, remembering that all sin leads to death and worse. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.