# 174 Incest

The Book of Genesis

Day 174

Ge 19:31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, "Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.  37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

We would be remiss to discuss this portion of Scripture without mentioning the horrific sin of incest. It’s one of those “hush hush” subjects we seek to sweep under the rug.  When committed and found out it is typically placed in the category of “No one else must know about this.”  But guess what? God knows about it, and He is very displeased about it, and He wants us to do something about it!

He addresses the issue in Lev 18, beginning at verse 6, “None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness. (To uncover one’s nakedness is a euphemism for engaging in any kind of sexual activity, including improper touching.) This improper sexual activity is forbidden between parents and their children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles with their nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

I have had opportunities to talk with victims of this sin, and the emotional damage done, the damage to self-esteem, the hurt, the bitterness, all the residual effects are overwhelming! How do you fix something so precious that has been damaged by a trusted relative? (or even someone who has become like trusted family, such as an athletic coach or clergyman or woman!)

Thankfully, God is able to fix it! All things are possible with God, but it certainly isn’t easy!  It starts with the victim speaking up about it. Again, this isn’t easy, but it is necessary or the abuse will likely continue!  God has instituted government to punish the perpetrators of this innocence robbing crime. He has set forth a method of dealing with these perpetrators in the church as well!

1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife!

 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.

 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Church discipline was meted out against this unrepentant sinner in hopes that he would see the error of his ways and turn from this wickedness. 

And in the matter of offending little children, Jesus said in Mt 18:6-10, “ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 This is not about chopping off or ripping out body parts, but it is about the seriousness of sins against children! To such perpetrators Jesus says, “Keep your hands and your eyes to yourself!” or stern judgment is coming your way!”

The worst thing we can do in dealing with this sin is to remain silent! Silence only allows the sickness of the sin to continue.  If you are a victim or know someone who is being victimized, seek help from a trusted source and as you walk through the process pray! Pray continually that God will help you. That He will give you the strength and courage needed, and that He will help you down the road of forgiveness that is a difficult but necessary step in the process of healing.

Pray: Father God, incest is a terrible breach of trust and we pray that You will step in and help all victims and perpetrators. Please stop this generational sin in its tracks, and let us return to treating sexual activity in accordance with Your will!