“And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so, Jacob held his peace until they returned.” ~ Genesis 34:5
REFERENCE:
We saw how Dinah’s curiosity led her into the hands of a vile man; what she called ‘seeing life’ turned to ‘tasting trouble.’ In life, we can choose our sins, but we often cannot choose the consequence; sometimes, it is more than we bargain for, or are willing to pay.
Jacob was a man greatly favored by God; he had the assurance that God would be his God. He saw an open vision of heaven, erected an altar of stone to God, made and performed vows, and enjoyed divine privileges more than most men. In this account, the clouds of adversity surrounded him, and evil found its way into the home of a man of God.
Satan is very subtle; he disdained the good testimony of Jacob and was envious of God’s love for him. How could he afflict a man so devoted to God? Go through someone he loves – his daughter. It seems Jacob paid more attention to his sons than his daughter, Dinah. While her brothers went out to work, she was at home and had time to visit the people of the land. Her thoughtless decision caused her family untold pain.
When satan needs to enter a family, church, marriage, or school, all he needs is one careless, unguarded, idle, and unspiritual person; just one person whose mind he can occupy with vain thoughts, whose hands he can employ for evil, and whose careless carnality he can ride on. Satan knows how best to strike – find the weak link in the chain and break it.
The news of Dinah’s rape shook Jacob; he was speechless, as if stunned by the blow. See how much the indiscretion of one person, a weak link, can cost a group. Dinah’s decision sent her family into various dysfunctions and sins: anger, deception, unforgiveness, betrayal, murder, and theft. It cost Simeon and Levi their father’s blessing, and they lost their inheritance in Israel.
Take heed to yourself; do not give the enemy access to your family, relationship, marriage, or organization. Keep alert, fortify your relationship with God, and decide not to be a weak link. Tame your appetite so that satan will not use it against you. Remember your family name, the good reputation you have built, and the lives that can be adversely affected by your indiscretion. Remember Judas’ appetite for money broke up Jesus’ team. You are part of a chain of family, friends, church, organization, professional body, etc. Do not be a weak link.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Matthew 26:14-16, Proverbs 15:27 & Joshua 7:10-13
PRAYERS:
+ Lord, fortify my walk with you, strengthen my character and my resolve to say ‘no’ to evil.
+ I shall not be a weak link and a gateway for the devil to trouble my family and all those connected to me.
+ I surrender all my appetites to You, God. Take away every unwholesome desire and deliver me from the constant temptations of satan to fall in a particular area of my life.
+ Lord, help me to Study Your word and store it in my heart, that I may not sin against You.
There seems to be an indictment of Dinah’s character. I feel she is woman who has been blessed with the aptitude and talent to influence her sisters; she must, be an “outgoer,” periodically leaving her haven of holiness to reach out to those who have lost grounding and direction in their lives.
Thanks, Aisha.
This is no indictment of her character, but just what the text says about her. Her trip out of her ‘haven of holiness’ is described as wanting to see the daughters of the land – see just for fancy. You must recall that they dwelt amongst heathens who they were not to mingle with. The concept of evangelizing, as we know it now, was not commanded to Israel – to win the heathen world; rather, they were to not mingle with them, and in some cases, were to destroy them (e, g., the Amalekites).
The result of the visit, her being raped, also shows that her leaving home for such a dangerous place was unwise. It does not appear she told her father or brothers, else, she would have been given a chaperone.
“See the daughters of the land” does not mean she went to see/visit a friend. She just curiously wanted to ‘see’ how life was with them.
It is important to take heed to oneself, lest a careless, not-thought-through decision can cause much harm to things one holds dear.
Amen 🙏🏽
The consequences of sin is limitless. One small lie, one Indiscretion, one bad friend and life just spirals out of control.
May God help us to keep our links strong.
May God not bring wasters as friends to our children.
Look for what ever link looks weak around us and strengthen that link
Amen!
I pray none of us reading this will be a weak link in our circle ⭕️ in Jesus name
Amen!