When I was a very young man, an older man slapped my sister. I would not have her to be beaten. Therefore, even though I was sure to take a beating for doing so, I placed myself between her and the threat she faced. I wasn't being a hero; I was being a brother. I believe God has placed within men a protective instinct for the weaker sex, especially when that weaker sex is family. Nine years after this incident, I hurt another man who had beaten my mother. Again, that instinct kicked in. I did feel bad that I had hurt another human being, however, I also knew that I was justified in what I had done. So, why are Jacob's sons not justified in their actions toward the men of Shechem? Deception is the primary element that takes them beyond the God-given protective instinct. The wholesale slaughter of these men doesn't really seem to fit the harm they had inflicted by raping Dinah, but what really made it wrong was the pre-meditated deception. It is never right to achieve our means through dishonest tactics. The protection of their sister could have been accomplished just as effectively without deception, and they would have been better men for it. Oh God, create in me a heart free from deception; one that leans upon your instruction and wisdom in matters where I must be the man.
Monday, February 6, 2012
January 23
Genesis 32-34
When I was a very young man, an older man slapped my sister. I would not have her to be beaten. Therefore, even though I was sure to take a beating for doing so, I placed myself between her and the threat she faced. I wasn't being a hero; I was being a brother. I believe God has placed within men a protective instinct for the weaker sex, especially when that weaker sex is family. Nine years after this incident, I hurt another man who had beaten my mother. Again, that instinct kicked in. I did feel bad that I had hurt another human being, however, I also knew that I was justified in what I had done. So, why are Jacob's sons not justified in their actions toward the men of Shechem? Deception is the primary element that takes them beyond the God-given protective instinct. The wholesale slaughter of these men doesn't really seem to fit the harm they had inflicted by raping Dinah, but what really made it wrong was the pre-meditated deception. It is never right to achieve our means through dishonest tactics. The protection of their sister could have been accomplished just as effectively without deception, and they would have been better men for it. Oh God, create in me a heart free from deception; one that leans upon your instruction and wisdom in matters where I must be the man.
When I was a very young man, an older man slapped my sister. I would not have her to be beaten. Therefore, even though I was sure to take a beating for doing so, I placed myself between her and the threat she faced. I wasn't being a hero; I was being a brother. I believe God has placed within men a protective instinct for the weaker sex, especially when that weaker sex is family. Nine years after this incident, I hurt another man who had beaten my mother. Again, that instinct kicked in. I did feel bad that I had hurt another human being, however, I also knew that I was justified in what I had done. So, why are Jacob's sons not justified in their actions toward the men of Shechem? Deception is the primary element that takes them beyond the God-given protective instinct. The wholesale slaughter of these men doesn't really seem to fit the harm they had inflicted by raping Dinah, but what really made it wrong was the pre-meditated deception. It is never right to achieve our means through dishonest tactics. The protection of their sister could have been accomplished just as effectively without deception, and they would have been better men for it. Oh God, create in me a heart free from deception; one that leans upon your instruction and wisdom in matters where I must be the man.
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