Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings today come from Genesis 33-35 and Matthew 11. If you haven’t had a chance to read/listen to these chapters yet, pause this podcast, read, pray, reflect, and then come back here for some of my reflections.
Okay, welcome back.
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is a new TV show on Netflix. I haven’t seen it, but most of my friends on facebook seem to have! Marie Kondo is an expert’s at tidying up and clearing our clutter. Many people are successfully following through on their New Years Resolutions to be neat and tidy.
The history we are currently reading in Genesis is far from neat, and certainly not tidy.
Genesis 34 is actually a disturbing chapter to read. It told the story of Jacob and Leah’s daughter: Dinah. Tragically she was kidnapped and raped by Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite. After Dinah was defiled, Hamor then tries to negotiate for Dinah to become Shechem’s wife.
Jacob’s brothers are angry for the way that their sister has been treated. So they deceitfully agreed to this, but only on the condition that all the men of their tribe were circumcised.
Every single man was circumcised in the city. On the third day afterwards, when they were sore, two of Jacob’s sons took their swords and went in and killed every male in the city, including Shechem and Hamor! Jacob’s sons then plundered the city.
It’s an action packed chapter beginning with rape and ending in revenge. As the chapter concludes, Jacob is worried knowing that the revenge his sons has inflicted actually puts his people in a vulnerable position among the inhabitants of the lands around them.
Genesis 34 shows us the messiness of life in the ancient world. But it’s into that context that God speaks to Jacob.
Check it it out…
[9] God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. [10] And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. [11] And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. [12] The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” (ESV)
God’s promises continue to roll out through this family. I’ve picked up this thread a few times in this podcast. God has made far-reaching promises to Abraham, he then confirms the same promises to Isaac, and now we see him call Jacob – now named Israel – to continue in those same promises.
This is important timing for Jacob as his father – Isaac – will be dead by the end of the chapter and it’s important that Jacob continues to trust in the God of Abraham and Isaac.
As you continue to read Genesis you will see the next generation come into focus with the 12 sons of Jacob / 12 Tribes of Israel. Their story is far from neat and tidy as well.
But the good news of the Bible is that God has worked through the mess of this family to fulfil his promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And ultimately God has and will bless the whole world through the King who will come from Jacob’s family: the Lord Jesus Christ.
What have you noticed in the Bible today? Why don’t you share with someone the things you’ve been learning.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.