1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: And shechem said, unto her father and under her brethren, 2 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: let me find grace in your eyes. And what ye 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: shall say unto me, I will give Genesis thirty four eleven. 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,160 Speaker 1: Dear God, as you are guiding my life, I will 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: make sure to only make the move that You've designated 6 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: for me. I will not try to choose the easier 7 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: path or the path that looks more inviting. Instead, I 8 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: will stay the course because I know that every step 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: that I take has already been orchestrated for me and 10 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: my future. Holy Spirit, as I move, keep reminding me 11 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: that where I currently am is not my final destination. 12 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: Remind me that as I take the steps of faith 13 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: needed to realize your promises for my life, that you 14 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: will keep me from harm and destruction. Thank you Lord 15 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: that even when I step off the track, you are 16 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: faithful to allow me to not miss a step. When 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:11,320 Speaker 1: I come back and ask for forgiveness, I stand with 18 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: excitement because I'm about to enter into my bethel, the 19 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 1: land and promise were you dwell in Jesus name. Amen, 20 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for 21 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible. In 22 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: a year dot com, Dinah and Sika. Before this story, 23 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 1: we learned how Jacob feared the wrath of his brother Esau. 24 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: He prayed to God with great anguish to deliver him. 25 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: That night, Jacob wrestled with God himself and had his 26 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: name changed to Israel. Esa forgave Jacob and the two 27 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: went their way. Now we will learn about how Jacob's 28 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: daughter Dinah was taken advantage of and the response made 29 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: by Jacob's sons Simon and Levy. Inspired by the Book 30 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:22,399 Speaker 1: of Genesis. Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode 31 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:26,519 Speaker 1: of the Bible in a Year podcast. In our prior reading, 32 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: we learned of Jacob's new name Israel, and of his 33 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: repentant heart, and that Jacob and Esau made peace with 34 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:38,360 Speaker 1: one another. Finally, it was a wonderful story of God's provision, grace, 35 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: and blessing, and we saw a more mature, obedient Jacob 36 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: who now seems ready to follow the will of God 37 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: for his life. In today's reading, however, Jacob seems to 38 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: take a step backwards. As you listen, notice how Jacob 39 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,639 Speaker 1: once again shuns the role of leadership to which God 40 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,760 Speaker 1: has called it. There will be a great deal of bloodshed, pain, 41 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: and trouble that spread through Jacob's family. Eventually, Jacob will 42 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 1: wake up to the tragedies and schemes his disobedience have created, 43 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 1: and then turned to God, truly turned to God for 44 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 1: help and guide us. God once again will prove his 45 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: faithfulness to Jacob and his family, because God is always faithful. 46 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: Now let's listen to today's scripture. Jacob and his family 47 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 1: settled in a place God had not intended. He was 48 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: supposed to return to Bethel, yet remained in the land 49 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: near Haymoor. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went 50 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: out to visit some of the women in the neighboring 51 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: city a few miles away. She walked with the innocent 52 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 1: smile of someone painfully unaware of just how dangerous a 53 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: city like this could be. She com The son of Hamor, 54 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: a prince of the land, saw Dinah from Afar. Hidden 55 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: by the shadows, he trailed her at a distance. She 56 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: com found Dinah in toxic eating. He drew closer and closer, 57 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: watching as she maneuvered through the busy streets. She come, 58 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: like many young rich rulers of his time, knew if 59 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: he wanted something he needed just take it for himself, 60 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: and he wanted Dinah. He burned with a self serving 61 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: and violent desire. She comes suddenly and secretly seized Dinah 62 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: and drug her away. Flailing and fighting, Dinah realized there 63 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: would be nobody there to help her. She come, humiliated 64 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: Dinah and raped her. Dinah was sent on her way, 65 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: humiliated and defiled. Yet instead of releasing her with threats, 66 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: she com spoke tenderly and with gentleness. His soul felt 67 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: drawn to Dinah, and he mistook his twisted and selfish 68 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: desires with actual love and affection. So Shekam spoke to 69 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: his father Haymore, saying, get me this girl for my wife. 70 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,919 Speaker 1: Word came to Jacob about the assault of his daughter. 71 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:06,840 Speaker 1: A contemplative calm came upon him. His sons were working 72 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 1: in the field with the live stock, and he needed 73 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: time to think before releasing the information to them. As 74 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 1: Jacob waited in brooding silence, Sheikham and his father Heymore 75 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: came to Jacob to speak of marriage. He would not 76 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: be able to get a word in before the sons 77 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 1: of Jacob came racing in with rage. A small army 78 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: of men ran from the fields as soon as they heard, 79 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: and immediately met them with indignant rage. Under no circumstances 80 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: would they allow Shekam to have their sister. Haymore, Finally 81 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: able to speak after the barrage of angry brothers, turned 82 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: to Jacob and said, she Kam's soul longs for your daughter. Jacob, 83 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 1: let us consider a marriage, and all my land can 84 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: be opened up to you for trade, property and farming. 85 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 1: Sheikim then began to speak. There was a look in 86 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: his eyes, a look of genuine affection and love, yet 87 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: behind them seemed to be a mind capable of hideous things. 88 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: It sent an uneasy shiver down the spines of Jacob's brothers. 89 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: He spoke, saying, let me find favor in your eyes, 90 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,280 Speaker 1: and whatever you desire for me, I will give name 91 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: your price, and I will honor it. Just please let 92 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: me have Dinah as my wife. Jacob and his sons 93 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: were men of God and had set themselves apart from 94 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,840 Speaker 1: the rest of the world. Yet their kindness was not weakness. 95 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: They were men of honor and loved their sister deeply. 96 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: Their resolved to protect her would not wane. The brothers 97 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 1: answered Shekam and Haymore, it would disgrace us to give 98 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: our sister to someone uncircumcised. Our only condition is that 99 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:53,160 Speaker 1: you and all your men be circumcised. Then we will 100 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,160 Speaker 1: give all our daughters to be with your men in marriage, 101 00:06:56,360 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 1: and we can become one people, sharing in all things. 102 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:05,039 Speaker 1: These words pleased Haymore and she Kum. Not only did 103 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: she Kum get his desire, but the whole land would 104 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: get to share in the abundant resources of Jacob's family. 105 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: Yet they rejoiced naively, for Jacob's sons would not forgive 106 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 1: what she Kim had done to their sister. As promised, 107 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: Haymore and she Kam went to all of the men 108 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: in their land and had them circumcised. Men young and 109 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: old took blades to their four skins. Haymore's people did 110 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 1: so gladly, though in a great amount of pain, because 111 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: they knew they were going to become rich and Sheikam 112 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: would get Dinah. Shekam took Dinah to his home, and 113 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 1: she dwelt there for three days under his roof, captive 114 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: and afraid. On the third day, the city was quiet, 115 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: The sun was making its way down towards evening, the 116 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: heat of the day was colliding with the cool breeze 117 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: of evening. The men of the land were resting, sore 118 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: and doing their best to not make any sudden movements. 119 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: The pain was nearly unbearable, but worth it for more 120 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: livestock and influence. While they all remained in their beds, 121 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: two pairs of footsteps can be heard coming through the gates. 122 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: Two sons of Jacob, Simon and Levy entered the city 123 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: with swords in their hands. No mercy, no politics or 124 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: chances to plead their cases, no negotiations or empty threats. 125 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: With ferocity and decisiveness, the two plunged their swords into 126 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: the flesh of all Hamer's men. They would try to run, 127 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: but they couldn't because they were still in pain from 128 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 1: the circumcision. This was their plan all along, get the 129 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: men weak so they could enter in and take their lives. Easily. 130 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:51,359 Speaker 1: Picking up speed, the two brothers swung their swords with revenge, 131 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,320 Speaker 1: making their way to the home of Hamor and Shechkam. 132 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 1: Hamor was the first to die. His begs for mercy 133 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:02,320 Speaker 1: were interrupted by Simon's right arm, Slowly gliding the blade 134 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 1: against his throat. The two brothers turned right through the 135 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: hall and burst through she Kam's door. There they saw 136 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: him and their sister pulling Dinah away. They pointed their 137 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: swords lightly on the chest of she Kumb. They stared 138 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: into his eyes. The same eyes that had gazed upon 139 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: their sister with violence and lust now looked upon them 140 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: with fear and trembling no mercy. Shakumb fell swiftly under 141 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: the blades of Simon and Levy. The only inheritance he 142 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,800 Speaker 1: would get from his marriage to Dinah was iron, sinking 143 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: into his nuns. The sons of Jacob came upon the 144 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: slain and plundered the city. They took their flocks and 145 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city 146 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: and in the field, all their wealth, all their children 147 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,719 Speaker 1: and their wives, all that was in the houses they 148 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: captured and took back with them no mercy. When they returned, 149 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: Jacob was outraged. He said to Simon and Levy, you 150 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: have brought trouble on me by making me stink to 151 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,959 Speaker 1: the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Pariseetes. 152 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: We do not have the same numbers they do. If 153 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: they gather themselves against me and attack me, we shall 154 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: be destroyed. Simon and Levy regretted nothing. What should we 155 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: have done, they said, allow our sister to be shipped 156 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: off like a piece of property. Have are ravaged like 157 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:30,319 Speaker 1: a prostitute. Jacob, pressed with fear and anxiety, went before God. 158 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: God spoke plainly, arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. 159 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: Make an altar for me, as you did before you 160 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: met with Esau. So Jacob left for Bethel, as he 161 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: should have done in the first place. He and his 162 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: household came before God. Cleanse yourself, change your garments, swash, 163 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: throw away any idols you may have, and purify your hearts. 164 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: Jacob commanded his people, A great danger threatens us, but 165 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: we will arise to Bethel to seek God, who has 166 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: always answered me wherever I go. So they gave Jacob 167 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: all the foreign gods that they had and the rings 168 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the 169 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: Terebans tree that was near Shechem. They journeyed far, fearful 170 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: for their lives. They rushed to Bethel. God and mighty 171 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 1: power caused a terror to fall upon the cities that 172 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: surrounded them. They would not pursue God's chosen people. Jacob 173 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: came to Bethel, back to the land of Canaan, and 174 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 1: there he built an altar and called, and God said 175 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: to him, I am God Almighty, be fruitful and multiply. 176 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, 177 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: and kings will come from among you. The land that 178 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,080 Speaker 1: I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you, 179 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: and I will give the land to your offspring after you. 180 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: God blessed Jacob and his family the people of Israel, 181 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,199 Speaker 1: and he would not leave them, no matter what hardship 182 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:15,439 Speaker 1: They found themselves. Captive to Jacob encountered, God wrestled with 183 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: him and received his blessing. He has now made peace 184 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: with Esau and is free to return to the place 185 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: where God intends for him to live with his family. 186 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 1: But that's not the choice Jacob makes. Instead of going 187 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: to Bathel, he remains in another land nearby, this rule 188 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: by a man named Haymoor. Jacob's daughter Dinah visits the 189 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 1: nearby city controlled by Shechem, and as she is walking 190 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: through town, Haymoor's son, Shechem, pursues and rapes Dinah. Then 191 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 1: he begins to feel what he considers love for this woman. 192 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,439 Speaker 1: Of course, this is not a god honoring love. This 193 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 1: is lust. This is a man who forced himself upon 194 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 1: a young woman. But in his twisted mind, he somehow 195 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: feels some affection for her and ask his father to 196 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: secure a marriage with her. Jacob, here's what happened to Dinah, 197 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: and rather than acting, he remains silent. He doesn't tell 198 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 1: his sons of the rape either. Perhaps he knew they 199 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: were prone to violence, or maybe he was slipping back 200 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,959 Speaker 1: into his old, complacent ways and failing to lead his family. 201 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: Whatever the reason, he does nothing. But when his sons 202 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:30,199 Speaker 1: hear what happened to Dinah, their sister, they intend to 203 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: avenge her. When Haymore and Shechem come to ask for 204 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: Dinah's hand, Jacob takes a back seat in the conversation. 205 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 1: Haymore offers a political and financial alliance if they will 206 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: allow Shekham to marry Dinah. Jacob's sons counter that all 207 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,959 Speaker 1: males in Haymore's land must be circumscised before they will 208 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 1: allow Dinah to marry Shekham. Their true intention was never 209 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 1: to bring these men into a relationship with God. It 210 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 1: was a mere ruse of war device. Some time before 211 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 1: their full plan was set in action and perhaps caused 212 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 1: Haymore and his men some serious discomfort. In the meantime, 213 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 1: Jacob's sons attacked these men when their guard was down 214 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: due to a negotiated treaty, and killed them all and 215 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: rescued Dinah. This may seem like justice, but is far 216 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 1: from it. They used a sacred act ordained by God, 217 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 1: not for a holy purpose, but for bloodshed, vengeance, and plunder. 218 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: Haymoor and Shacomb's actions were not honorable, but neither were 219 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: the actions of Simeon and Levin. And when Jacob discovers 220 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: what they've done, he is shaken out of his complacency 221 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: and once again attacked with fear. He knows his son's 222 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 1: actions could bring calamity upon his own family, so once 223 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: again he goes to God, and God tells him to 224 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: go to Bethel and build an altar to him there. 225 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: It was what he was supposed to do from the 226 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: beginning and obedience to God. But now he finally obeys, 227 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: how often do you and I go through unnecessary and 228 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: unwanted troubles simply because we're not listening to God? If 229 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: we would only do what God says from the beginning, 230 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: we would not face so many of the trials and 231 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: struggles and difficulties that we face. Before he flees to Bethel, 232 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: Jacob knows he and his family must leave behind not 233 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: just the land, but the gods that idols they're holding 234 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: onto instead of the one true God who is always 235 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: with them, always faithful. We close today's story with another 236 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: example of this faithfulness of God to Jacob. He strikes 237 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: fear the cities around Jacob, so nobody pursues Jacob's family 238 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: and he can safely arrive at Bethel. God once again 239 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: affirms the promise he's made to Jacob, and to Isaac 240 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: and to Abraham before him. He will give him this 241 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: land and from him will come many nations and kings 242 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: and A key figure in this plan and is one 243 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 1: of Jacob's son, Joseph, whose colorful story will begin next time. 244 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thank 245 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 1: you today for what we have read in your word 246 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: and that it teaches us that obey you is always 247 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: the right plan, the best plan. Thank you that when 248 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: we fail to obey, there is forgiveness when we turn 249 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 1: to you in confession and repentance, because you are always 250 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: faithful to forgive and cleanse us through your son Jesus, 251 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 1: and it is in his name that we pray. Amen. 252 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 253 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 1: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the pray 254 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: dot com app and make prayer a priority in your life. 255 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. 256 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 257 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how 258 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: to tap into God's power or successful Christian living, be 259 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless This 260 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:15,439 Speaker 1: episode is sponsored by Medicsher, an innovative healthcare solution for 261 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.