Scripture Readings
Proverbs 5:21
Genesis 33–34
Matthew 17
Psalms 17
Verse Focus (Proverbs 5:21)
For your ways are in full view of the LORD,
and he examines all your paths.
Meditation
Today’s verse from Proverbs tells us that the LORD is always watching us. The second half of the verse says that “he examines all your paths” — some translations say “ponders” all your paths; other say “considers” all your paths. So, in one sense, God is watching everything you do; in another meaning, He is watching everywhere you go. As I read this verse, it seems to me that God is watching all my potential paths as well.
In the context of the chapter (which I know we haven’t read yet), this verse is describing a person who may make bad choices — so it communicates the idea of being weighed by God. In this sense, the Scripture is a warning to us. We are reminded that God is holy and righteous, the judge of the whole earth. But He is also the God of mercy and compassion, and He watches over our paths in love, too. I take comfort in this verse, knowing that God knows exactly what my circumstances are and what obstacles I may face.
Father God, thank you that you are ever present with us. Thank you that you watch everything that happens or may happen. You protect us in our comings and goings; when we sin, you forgive us in Christ Jesus. As the psalmist said, there is no place that I can hide from you. That is frightening when I do wrong, but extremely comforting at all other times. Thank you that you love us and you do consider our ways.
After Jacob wrestled with God in our last chapter, he now goes forth to meet his twin brother, Esau — the brother, as we all remember, that Jacob wronged so many years earlier. God is gracious to Jacob, and the meeting goes well. Verse 4 tells us that Esau “ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him.” This reminds me of how the father welcomed back his prodigal son. He didn’t wait for the son to arrive and give his spiel about being unworthy; instead, the father races to meet the son, also embracing and kissing him. Jacob later says that to see Esau’s face is “like seeing the face of God.” Since Jacob now Israel literally just had seen the face of God, this is quite a potent statement.
As chapter 33 closes, Jacob buys land in Shechem. This is now the second bit of Canaan legally owned by the Israelites and their descendants.
Chapter 34 tells the story of Dinah, who is raped by Shechem, the local prince and son of Hamor the Hivite. Shechem wants to marry Dinah, and he begs his father to arrange the marriage. The Scripture makes sure we understand that Dinah’s brothers spoke deceitfully in replying that they could not allow intermarriage unless the men of Shechem all get circumcised. So Shechem and Hamor convince the rest of the men of the city, and they all do get circumcised. While they were “still in pain,” Simeon and Levi go on a rampage, killing all the men of Shechem. They remove Dinah from Shechem’s house, and then all the brothers plunder the city, taking all the wealth in livestock and household goods, as well as taking captive the children and wives of the murdered men. Jacob criticizes Simeon and Levi, saying that he has made Jacob “odious to the inhabitants of the land.” He is fearful that they are too few in number to stand against others in Canaan should they seek retribution for the men of Shechem. But Simeon and Levi simply speak of the wrong done to Dinah.
As I read the chapter today, I particularly noticed verses 9 and 10 when Hamor was trying to persuade Jacob and his sons of the advantages of a union between Dinah and Shechem. “Make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. You shall live with us; and the land shall be open to you; live and trade in it, and get property in it.” It struck me that this was like a shortcut to the Promised Land. Granted, Jacob didn’t know all the details of how the land would be inherited by his descendants. Later on, certainly, intermarriage was precisely the thing that the Israelites were warned against since it was what would turn their hearts away from the LORD. But it’s not clear whether intermarriages would have been prohibited at this point in Israel’s history. Still, the offer to “get property” was the natural path to becoming established in the land (as opposed to whatever God might do to garner their inheritance).
As it turns out, of course, free trade does not happen because the Israelites have become “odious” to the Canaanites. I think it’s curious, though, that the brothers ended up with all the wives and children of Shechem. The Bible doesn’t say what happened to these captives. Did they marry them? Sell them off as slaves to Egypt? Perhaps a bit of both. But it seems ironic, that if intermarrying and buying property was the “shortcut,” the brothers may have ended up with the more dangerous portion of that shortcut anyway.
Matthew chapter 17 begins with the story of Jesus’ transfiguration where “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” Moses and Elijah appear — some say symbolizing the Law and the Prophets — but also significant in terms of end times and the Day of Judgment. God speaks audibly, saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” This is near repeat to what God said when Jesus was baptized; however, the “listen to him” part is new. After they come down from the mountain, Jesus warns his disciples not to talk about this vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Later that day, Jesus again tells his disciples that he will soon be betrayed, killed, and raised to life again. They are distressed. As this is the second or third time that Jesus has spoken of these events, the disciples are perhaps a bit closer to understanding what Jesus is saying to them.
In another story, Jesus cures a boy with epilepsy, commanding the demon to come out of him. When the disciples ask why they were not able to heal the boy, he tells them it is because they have so little faith. Truly, Jesus tells them, if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they would be able to move mountains: “nothing will be impossible for you.”
In another parable in another gospel, we have the story of the mustard seed that is the smallest of seeds and yet grows into a very large garden plant that shelters birds and other animals. So Jesus’ statement echoes with his other parable. I confess I don’t fully understand what Jesus means by saying that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed we could do anything. I’m sure we all quail at the thought of being able to move mountains, finding ourselves and our faith to be severely lacking. But one time I had a glimmer of understanding: it is the very insignificance and smallness of your faith that allows God to act. When your faith is that small, only God can make up the difference.
In the final story of chapter 17, Peter catches a fish that has swallowed a coin and he uses that coin to pay the temple tax for himself and for Jesus. When I read this story, I always marvel how Jesus knew about the fish to tell Peter to look in the first fish he caught. I’m wow’d by the simple deity and omniscience of Jesus portrayed in this episode; however, I suspect that Jesus would rather I pay attention to his comments about the children being free.
Psalm 17 is a beautiful prayer for protection from enemies. There are many verses that resonate, such as verse 8: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” However, I sometimes find myself uncomfortable when David talks about his innocence and being free from any wrongdoing. I can understand being not guilty of planning wrongdoing to your enemies, but being free of all wrongdoing — well, in Christ I am free, in myself I am not. But David prays with a clear conscience. I especially love the final verse of this psalm: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.”
Father God, let us be satisfied with your likeness when we wake, whether that be morning by morning or in the final resurrection from death. Thank you for sending Jesus for us, to make us free. Thank you that his death on the cross purchased my eternal salvation. Thank you that you examine my paths and that you are always watching over me. Help me to make wise choices. Keep me always close to you and your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
When I read Genesis 33-34, it seems Jacob continued, as he probably learned from his mother, in paths of deceit. Understandably, both brothers are wary, but Esau is clearly overjoyed to see Jacob. Perhaps Esau sees he was foolish to promise his inheritance for a meal, and having had Rebekah live on in his midst, understand she instigated Jacob’s deceit. But now we see Jacob refuses Esau’s offer of some of the latter’s armed men to escort them to Seir, because Jacob has no intention of going there! Esau probably prepares places and a feast for Jacob, who stands him up and goes to Sukkoth instead. There- more deceit. While Dinah’s brothers are rightfully outraged by her rape, they have likely been tempted by women in Seir. And they convince Dinah’s rapist, apparently named after the town, that he can have her, if all the men there get circumcised. Both sides of men appear to be driven by last, the prospect of a larger pool of new women. I don’t know why else the men of Seir would consent to have their “manhood” go under the knife, and I’m guessing Jacob’s sons are justifying – if the men of Seir are circumcised, wouldn’t intermarriage technically be OK? What God does is let Esau keep the inheritance that was meant for him, and let the humans suffer the consequences of their folly, until they choose to repent, a cycle still repeating itself today.
I like your insight about Jacob’s deceitfulness being still at play in his interactions with Esau! I never thought before about what Esau was thinking Jacob would do, versus what he actually did.
Also, I always thought that the town was named after Shechem, instead of the other way around! Of course, it’s also very possible that “Shechem” was Hamor’s father or grandfather, and that both the son and the town were named after him. 🙂
Revenge – it never seems to have a good ending for man! As much as people may feel justified in seeking retribution, their reasoning so often becomes flawed with highly charged emotions – anger, resentment, jealousy, and self-destruction. When God is left out of the equation – you can bet the situation will spiral out of control. I find it interesting that Simeon and Levi, the second and third sons of Leah, apparently acted independent of their father and other brothers in the massacre. Of course, the other brothers were quick to plunder – so they were all a party to this heinous act. Later in scripture we learn that Levi and his tribe, though they are assigned the priesthood – are not allowed to own land – apparently a disciplinary action connected with this event. Jacob, ever the opportunist, is extremely angry by his sons’ behavior but I cannot imagine he did not have an inkling of what was brewing. Fortunately, Jacob-Israel listens to God’s commands and realizes that his only escape is by the grace of God. I need to remember stories like this when I feel I have been treated unfairly. It is so easy to slip into fantasies of how to get even!! Well – it won’t work! God help me to turn to you first in prayer before I react – I know you have a plan that will bring me peace of mind.
I would guess you’re right that maybe an ancestor of Shechem is who the town was named after. I thought it was odd to name a child after a town, so an ancestor would make more sense. I wonder what it means. I’ll have to look it up. Kirsty you are doing an amazing job. Your devotional is publishable quality.
I appreciate everyone’s insights.
I wonder too if the brothers really
Thought about the ramifications of their actions?
I’m thankful that I can take my vengeful thoughts and anger to Prayer w God. I can choose not to lash out because God is my protector.
to God in prayer.