Life
Lessons: Revenge
Genesis
34:1—36:43
SITUATION: Even
though Shechem’s rape of Dinah was wrong, Simeon and Levi overreacted and
sinned. Consequently, God told Jacob to move to Bethel and Hebron.
OBSERVATION: In the
middle of life’s continuing problems and challenges, God reminded Jacob of his
new name, Israel. Through this reminder, God shows he is faithful to his
promises. God’s promises set believers apart.
INSPIRATION: On the
basis of the counseling I do, I would say that the two greatest problems among
Christians are a lack of understanding their position in Christ and a lack of
knowing God as their Father. They have no family image; therefore, they feel
cut off from other family members—members of the Body of Christ, as well as
feeling alienated from God. Our fellowship is made solid only as we renew our
thinking about God. What grief it must bring to God’s heart for us to cast an
image on Him that is not true.
A man can be a teacher without being a father,
but a true father will be a teacher. A man can be a lord without being a
father, but a true father will be a good director of the home. A man can be a
good provider without being a good father, but a true father will be a
provider. It all fits. That is what motivates God—the delight in being a great
father to His children on earth! What a joy to God’s heart when we respond as
Jesus did when he was in Gethsemane. It was as if He said, “I know it’s going
to hurt, but You are my Father and I know You will be everything that I need. I
will trust You.”
In my own family the greatest times with
my children have been crazy times that only a family could enjoy. Times when we
just go outdoors and tumble through the leaves with each other. Times when my
son Johnny and I have played the whole evening away with some small creative
object. Times when my sons and I just grab each other and hang on each other’s
necks. Teachers and pupils do not do that; neither do sergeants and privates.
There have been times when my little Ann, who is now nine, and I have gone on
dates together. We come home with hearts so full of love for each other and so
full of laughter that the joy of the Lord is our strength for days afterward.
There have been times when we as a family sing at the top of our lungs. Only
fathers take time for such activities.
God made us to enjoy Him. . . . God is our
Father, and we are to enjoy Him forever. The family concept in heaven will be
perfect in every way. Heaven on earth is the ability
to bring that concept to our
own hearts, friends, and churches. (Is your church characterized by a sense of
family, or is it an army or a classroom?) What a comfort to enjoy God like
that! I can act as a child and treat Him as a father. I am free to fail, free
to speak what is a concern to me, free to be myself, free from fear, free from
guilt. (From The God You Can Know by
Dan DeHaan)
APPLICATION: Have
you been wronged or harmed and responded, “I’m going to get even if it’s the
last thing I do!” Each time you remember the hurt, consciously turn to God for
his justice and comfort. When resentment enters your mind today, say a quick
silent prayer. “Not a chance! God, you are my Father. Take over; I’ll follow.”
EXPLORATION: Revenge—Judges 15; 2 Samuel 3:26-29; Matthew 5:38-45; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 3:9
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