Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Genesis

Genesis 34 11/24/02

Intro: Tell me, what are people concerned with today? [the possibility of war with Iraq, the declining economy, homeland security] what about home security? And I am not talking about ADT or some other kind of alarm system. I am talking about protecting our homes, our families.

 The family in America is in trouble. Divorce is now over 50%. Children are wild and killing other children and family members. Adultery and premarital sex are rampant and so are STD's. Pleasure is the family god and possessions our goal. TV and the computer have become our altars. More people read the newspaper than the bible, and faith has been replaced by the credit card. Why? Because God is absent in many of our homes..even in Christian homes.

 Is the American family lost? Hopeless? No. But God must be brought back into the family.

 Jacob failed miserably as a father because he failed to recognize God's presence and obey God's word.
 Jacob's family life will show us this morning that when God is absent in the home, the home is lacking. Lacking what?

Genesis 34:1  '...There is a lack of boundaries'

 What's with Dinah? Is she naive, or just rebellious? There is no mention that Dinah had other sisters. Who was she supposed to spend time with? Young people always want friends. Dinah was no exception. Why was it so important that she get to know the women who lived in the land? Why didn't her father or mother warn her about going into town alone? Why didn't her parents make someone go with her?

 Well, much like young girls today, if Dinah's parents had told her she couldn't go into town without one of her big brothers she would have protested. 'I am old enough to go to town..or the mall, or Great Adventure, on my own. I am old enough to make my own decisions.' Ever had a conversation like that?

 The truth is, most teens don't possess the maturity to make those kinds of decisions. It is not within their developmental abilities. Like it or not, most are still children when it comes to the ways of the world. So parents need to set boundaries...to say no and mean it!

 Jacob didn't set boundaries for his children and as we will see, they did whatever they wanted. God was absent in Jacobs home, and when God is absent, there is often a lack of boundaries.

Genesis 34:2-5 '...There is a lack of self control'

 Dinah goes where she should not have gone and she is violated by the BMOC, the prince of Shechem. I know the commentators say she was raped but I am not so sure. The prince told her he loved her and wanted to marry her so sex would be OK. She probably got all tingly and gave  in because no one ever treated her like he did. Besides he said he loved her. Dinah,  was foolish.The text says that Shechem loved Dinah. He may have. But God was absent from both Shechem and Dinah's life and when that happens there is often a lack of self control.

 Teens want it all and they want it now. It is almost impossible for them to see the benefits of waiting for certain things..adults too for that matter. But in this case, Shechem and perhaps Dinah as well, gave into their passion. When God is absent there is often a lack of self control.

Genesis 34:6-12 '...There is a lack of acceptance of wrong doing'

 Do you see an apology here for the sin of premarital sex? If Dinah was in fact raped, is there a confession of that horrible deed? NO! No apology, no confession just a request that is outrageous considering the fact that Dinah was at Shechems house and was not allowed to leave...add kidnapping to the list of sinful wrong doing. God was absent in Hamor and Shechems life and with that came a lack of acceptance of wrong doing...of sin

Genesis 34:13-17 '...There is a lack of integrity' pt.1

 Having learned the fine art of deception from their father, Jacob's sons come up with a plan. They agreed to intermarry with the Shechemites if all the men in Shechem would get circumcised. But, this was a lie. They had no intention of  intermarrying with them. Jacob's sons were willing to abuse their religious heritage, the very promises of God, to get what they wanted...revenge.
When God is absent, there is often a lack of integrity, even among God's people.

Genesis 34:18-24 '...There is a lack of integrity' pt.2

Their proposal seemed good? Are they kidding? How could they agree to this? It is amazing what men will do for women and wealth. In greed the leaders of Shechem planned to deceive Jacob's family. God was absent in the city of Shechem and there was a lack of integrity in it's inhabitants.

Genesis 34:25-29 '...There is a lack of compassion'

 When the men of Shechem were in the greatest pain, Simeon and Levi attacked and killed every male in the city. Then they and their brothers took everything of value, including the women and children. Should they have been upset and angry at what Shechem did? Yes. Should they have done something about it? Yes. But considering the incident may not have been rape but premarital sex, even if it was rape, did they perhaps go overboard in their response? Yes!

 Jacob's sons showed no compassion for all those in the town who had nothing to do with the incident in question. When God is absent, even among God's people, there is often a lack of compassion.

Genesis 34:30-31 '...There is a lack of proper perspective'

 What Jacob's sons, all his sons did was wrong. Jacob had every right to be angry with his sons. But Jacob was not angry for the atrocity of their sinful acts. He was angry that his reputation was tarnished and others might seek to kill him. When God is absent, even among God's people, there is often a lack of proper perspective.

Conclusion

ILL: A boy talking to his father asked, Is God dead? the father replied, why no my son, He is not dead, why do you ask? The son said, well I don't hear you talk to him and we don't go to his house anymore. I have been saying 'When God is absent', how do I know God is absent in these event? Because God isn't mentioned once in this chapter. And the result is the wisdom of the Lord is absent as well.

 What this text teaches us is that when God is absent the home, whether made up of someone single or married with children, the home loses it's godly influence. Notice the way Jacob sidesteps his responsibilities and thereby eliminates the possibility of a godly influence on his family.

1. He does not set up appropriate boundaries for his daughter.
2. He says nothing when he finds out about Shechem and Dinah.
3. He lets his sons handle Hamor and Shechem.
4. He does nothing to stop the violent plan of Simeon and Levi.
5. He does not discipline them at all for their sinful behavior.
6. He is more upset about what will happen to him than in the sinful actions of all involved.
7. He never goes to God for wisdom or guidance.

What can we do?

1. Parents, set up appropriate boundaries for your children. Don't be their friend, or best buddy. Don't be concerned that they may not like you.

 God set up appropriate boundaries in the garden and told Adam and Eve to live by   them or die. He did the same thing with the 10 Commandments...even the Bible as a whole. God isn't trying to win a popularity contest with his children, he wants to    protect and teach us obedience.

2. Children, and adults, learn self control. Evaluate situations before you jump in. Seek God's wisdom before you rush into         something. Trust and believe that God and your parents have the best for you, even if you are told to wait.

3. All of us need to accept responsibility for our sinful actions, regardless of the consequences. Fess up, not only to God but to those you have sinned against.

4. Be men and women, be young adults, be children of integrity. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
 Be honest, truthful in all you do. Your integrity or lack of it, reflects upon God.

5. Be compassionate. Show mercy, real concern, love one another. Let love, compassion guide all your relationships. 'If you say you love God and hate your brother the love of God is not in you.'

6. Look for the big picture. Seek to have the proper perspective in life. God's perspective.

 How can this all happen? It happens when God is present in our lives. True he is always present, but we need to recognize and acknowledge his presence. It needs to be a daily practicing of the presence of God in our lives.

 One last observation. Although no one in the chapter is seen in a good light. Although this incident was one of the most shameful in Israel's history. God did not give up on Jacob and his family. He would continue to work through them to develop their character. And by God's amazing and bountiful grace, He will do the same for you. Christian, God will never give up on you or your family. Trust your life and the life of your family to Him.