Who gets the glory?...anger management Genesis 33-34
What did I just do?
That's the question my, now husband, was asking himself as he held a large
man in a headlock in he middle of a restaurant. It all happened in a flash. He had been sitting with his brothers eating greasy Chinese food, when everyone in the restaurant was jerked awake to loud racial slurs and threats coming for one of the booths. As they looked the slurs were being directed at a female waitress who was clearly terrified. Before he knew what was happening he was over the table and holding the "large, tactless, swaggering, man" in headlock. At this point as the rest of the gawking people in the restaurant are cheering him on, he has a moment to pause and think. If I let this guy up, he is going to pulverize me, however I can't stand here all day with him in a headlock.
The best solution be ready to run!
To save face he yells "just leave her alone", lets go of his grip and call to his his brothers on his way to the door.
Jacob's brothers are in a similar position. There sister has been raped.
Upon hearing about the rape they plan revenge. They want justice. Jacob had been waiting for them to arrive after hearing the news of Dinah's rape. Jacob who had made some bad decision in the past may have learned that emotion is not the best advisor. He was just as angry as they were, but wanted to wait and decide together how to handle it. Levi and Simeon his two oldest son's react before they think it through. Their rash actions have long lasting repercussion for the family.
When we do things in our own power, no mater how justified we think they are, God is not glorified. He will act on our behalf if we go to Him. We may not understand His ways, but they always have a better outcome than ours. He can see the big picture. Our pain matters to Him, and we can trust Him with the outcome.
Read Genesis 33-34
That's the question my, now husband, was asking himself as he held a large
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The best solution be ready to run!
To save face he yells "just leave her alone", lets go of his grip and call to his his brothers on his way to the door.
Jacob's brothers are in a similar position. There sister has been raped.
Upon hearing about the rape they plan revenge. They want justice. Jacob had been waiting for them to arrive after hearing the news of Dinah's rape. Jacob who had made some bad decision in the past may have learned that emotion is not the best advisor. He was just as angry as they were, but wanted to wait and decide together how to handle it. Levi and Simeon his two oldest son's react before they think it through. Their rash actions have long lasting repercussion for the family.
When we do things in our own power, no mater how justified we think they are, God is not glorified. He will act on our behalf if we go to Him. We may not understand His ways, but they always have a better outcome than ours. He can see the big picture. Our pain matters to Him, and we can trust Him with the outcome.
Tidbits from Genesis 33-34
- Who Jacob favored in the family is not hidden in the way he positions them as he goes to meet his brother Esau
- It has been 21 years since he had seen his brother, there were tears in the reconciliation
- Jacob declines an offer of men, he is still being careful in his relations with Esau
- Jacob camps about 65 miles north of Jerusalem in Shechem.
- 33:20 Jacob erects and alter to "God the God of Israel:, in reference to his new name and foreshadowing the land of the people that will inhabit Canaan.
- Chapter 34 give us the details of the rape of Dinah. No matter kind things he may have spoken to her, or his intentions to marry her, the scripture clearly indicates the horrific nature of his actions
- Jacob waits to council with his sons before acting, however the son's put into motion a deceptive plot. Although they feel they are acting out of vengeance for their sisters honor, Jacob feels their rash acts have were not the best course of action.
Read Genesis 33-34
Jacob was a coward from day one hiding behind his mother's apron so I am not surprised at how he handles this situation. His sons are probably fed up with their dad's cowardness and take matters into their own hands which is wrong also. when a father doesn't teach his sons correct behavior I guess this is the result. vengence belongs only to God.
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