Today’s Bible Reading:
Genesis 34-36, Luke 14
Topic: Honesty
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 34:13-29
15
"...If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, 16
then... we will dwell with you and we will become one people." (Gen
34:15-16)
19 Shechem
"...did not delay to do the thing..." 24 "...every
male was circumcised..." (Gen 34:19,24)
25
"...on the third day, when they were in pain... Simeon and Levi... each took
his sword and... killed all the males." 27 ...and plundered the
city..." (Gen 34:25, 27)
OBSERVATION:
What a sad chapter in the history of Israel . Simeon and Levi practiced
the art of deception and dishonesty - a trait perhaps learned by the example of
their father, Jacob. They were not even honest about their motives to
supposedly vindicate their defiled sister Dinah who, by the way, was apparently
happy to become Shechem's wife. Their real motives were hatred and greed, as
evidenced by their plundering.
APPLICATION:
One must always ask oneself, "Do I act on godly,
righteous motives or selfish motives? Am I driven by a desire to do the will of
God or by selfish lust? Am I motivated by the virtues of God such as love and
righteousness, or am I prompted by evil arrogance and hatred?" Be honest
with yourself and be willing to repent of untoward motives.
PRAYER:
Lord, keep me from hatred and selfish desires. Reveal any
deviance within me. May I ever be motivated by righteousness and godly
principles. In Jesus' name. Amen. -AP
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