As times passes and society becomes more evil, it becomes increasingly difficult for Christians to live a consistent Christian life. The idea that you can constantly interact with the culture without it eventually defiling you is a false assumption with evidence dating back to the OT. Jacob struggled to learn this lesson and as a result, established an UNgodly heritage.
1. Jacob was enthralled by an excitingly sinful city.
Gen. 33:18-19 “And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.”
2. Excitement led to curiosity.
Gen. 34:1 “And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.”
3. Curiosity led to sin.
V2 “And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.”
4. Sin led to death.
V7 “And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
V25-27 “And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.”
LESSON - This same outline is repeated in multiple settings throughout the Bible. The proof that this was evidence of an ungodly heritage is revealed by Jacob’s response in verse 30 “And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.” His pride was damaged and once again, he responded unbiblically to fear. We must be determined now more than ever that we are going to live holy, separated lives. This is the only hope we have for establishing a GODly heritage for our families.
~Mike
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