# 330 For Those Struggling With Forgiveness After Abortion

The Book of Genesis

Day 330

Ge 35:16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor.  17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also."  18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

Jacob’s beloved Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin. Her life story had been centered around a desire to gift her husband with many children. Even in her death due to her hard labor with Benjamin, she sought assurance that the baby was going to be okay.  In that sense, she was pro life. Children meant much to her.

Please note that this love of children does not stop here with the birth of Benjamin. There is more to her story.  She gets mentioned again in two other significant places in the Bible.  In  Jer 31:15 we read, “Thus says the LORD: "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more." This prophecy was fulfilled and written about in the second chapter of Matthew as Herod went forth and put to death all the male children who were in or near Bethlehem from two years old and younger.

So Rachel’s name lives on and is forever associated with those who weep and mourn over the loss of children. Even today, Catholic Social Services has a program to help women dealing with post abortion syndrome. Those women and men who weep for the loss of their aborted children and struggle with being comforted because “they are no more.”  The program is called “Project Rachel.” It’s goal can be summed up at the end of the prophecy in Jeremiah, where  God promises to “replenish every sorrowful soul.”

After hearing these words from the Lord, Jeremiah announces that  his “sleep once again became sweet.”

(Jer 31:25 "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."

 26 After this I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.

If you are a post aborted woman or man, I pray that you will hear that promise from God today! I pray that you will be replenished as you turn to Him in your sorrow and receive His merciful forgiveness and that your sleep will once again be made sweet.

# 329 The “Life of the Mother” Exception.

The Book of Genesis

Day 329

Ge 35:16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor.  17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also."  18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

Jacob’s beloved Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin. An interesting thing is said to her before she dies. The midwife says, “Do not fear, you will have this son also.” You get the idea that Rachel wasn’t so afraid of dying as she was of losing the child. This would be consistent with her attitude about having children as we have read so far in Genesis.

I think it would be interesting to hear Rachel’s voice in the abortion debate taking place today, especially as it relates to  the idea of making exceptions for abortion in the case of “danger to the life of the mother.” This exception is almost always included in any legislative act regarding abortion and is used as a catch all to approve of all abortions. It sounds so noble. Who could possibly oppose this exception?

Well, the Association of Pro-Life Physicians has something to say about it. They have said, “When the life of the mother is truly threatened by her pregnancy, if both lives cannot simultaneously be saved, then saving the life of the mother is the primary aim.  If through our careful treatment of the mother’s illness the pre-born patient inadvertently dies or is injured, this is tragic and, if unintentional, is not unethical and is consistent with the pro-life ethics.  But the intentional killing of an unborn baby by abortion is never necessary.” *

Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop also supported this position when he stated (1980) “In my thirty-six years in pediatric surgery, I have never known one instance where the child had to be aborted to save the mother’s life. *

Even  Dr. Alan Guttmacher who was Planned Parenthood’s president for over a decade until his death in 1974 chimed in on this issue in his book, “The Case for Legalized Abortion Now” published in 1967. He said, “Today it is possible for almost any patient to be brought through the pregnancy alive, unless she suffers from a fatal illness such as cancer or leukemia, and if so, abortion would be unlikely to prolong, much less save life.” *

This exception for abortion that sounds so humane is in reality a tool for abortion any time and any place” and is born out by the Doe v Bolton decision (1973) which followed Roe v Wade.  The court ruled that abortion for the “health of the mother ” could not be restricted, while adopting a very broad definition of what may relate to health.  This effectively made abortion legal through all nine months of pregnancy for almost any reason.  *

The sad thing is, in this day and age of sound bite politics, and uniformed voters, anyone running for office on a “no exception” pro life platform, would be villainized as an extremist. But in reality, the real extremist is the one who would support the unnecessary killing of an innocent unborn child.

Before we sentence the unborn child to death, could we not at least ask this question. “What crime has the unborn child committed?”

*Taken from an article written by Elizabeth Dean, D.O. “Is Abortion Needed To Save the Life of the Mother” 

# 328 Touching the Heart of God

The Book of Genesis

Day 328

Ge 35:6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.  7 And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.  8 Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth.  9 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.  10 And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel.  11 Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.  12 "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land."  13 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him.  14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.  15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

So, Jacob returns to Bethel, and God appears to him again, reaffirming the covenant He had made with him when he first passed this way fleeing from Esau. Nothing has changed on God’s part of the deal, but one can imagine some doubt creeping into the mind of Jacob. I mean, the nasty incident with the Hivites, the tolerance of foreign gods in the camp, even the delay in getting back to Bethel, all smack of disobedience on Jacob’s part.

But God, ever faithful, full of mercy, receives the repentant Jacob and restores him. Nothing is lost from the original blessing! Jacob is so moved by the forbearance of God that he builds an altar and pours a drink offering on it, along with the pouring on of oil.

This is the first mention in Scripture of the “drink offering.” Later, the drink offering would be incorporated by God in various sacrifices to Him.  The drink offering consisted of wine in varying amounts and came to be associated with joy.

What was it that prompted Jacob to do such a thing? To simply break open  a container of wine and pour it over a rock? I really don’t know, but it’s safe to say that God’s reaffirming of His promises to Jacob touched him in a very special way, and I think Jacob touched God’s heart in a very special way as well. So much so, that God would take great pleasure in future generations pouring out drink offerings to Him.

Perhaps Jacob poured out the wine to symbolize his fellowship with God. One thing we know, years later God would return the favor by pouring out His own Son, Jesus Christ and offer Him up for all who would thirst. This is an offer of fellowship that we experience to this day as we partake in the Lord’s Supper.

Thirsty for God? Some sins piling up in your life? Need a reminder of His covenant with you through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Then come to Bethel (the house of God) and partake of the offering that God poured out for you on Calvary, and receive the forgiveness of sins!

# 327 Bloom Where Planted

The Book of Genesis

Day 327

Ge 35:6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.  7 And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.  8 Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth. 

Jacob has returned to Bethel, the site of his first encounter with God after fleeing from his brother Esau. This was the place where the dream which we call “Jacob’s Ladder” took place, and Jacob vowed that he would honor God when he returned. Well, he has returned and he honors his vow, by setting up an altar and worshiping the Lord.

But what’s this? Right in the middle of this discourse about God’s promises, we get news about the death of Rebekah’s nurse! Not Rachel's nurse, but Rebekah's nurse! How in the world does she manage to wriggle herself into holy writ? 

It’s like the Holy Spirit is giving this account of the exchange between Jacob and God and He interrupts it with this bulletin about the death of Deborah. “We interrupt this program to tell you that Rebekah’s nurse Deborah has passed away and has been buried under the terebinth tree. Henceforth, the place of her burial will be known as Allon Bachtuth.” And now back to our regularly scheduled program.”

We really don’t know much more about Deborah, than she was Rebekah’s nurse, yet she gets a footnote in history upon her death. “Allon Bachuth is the Hebrew phrase for “the oak of weeping.” This tells us that the loss of Deborah was deeply felt by those she had left behind. Deborah had made a terrific impact on the lives of those around her. She would be greatly missed. 

There is nothing spectacular about Deborah that we have been made aware of, she was just a regular nurse. There was nothing heroic about her. She just did her duty, carried out her calling, in such a way that she impacted others.

Don’t think for a moment that as you trudge along through the trenches of life, that your contributions aren’t noted by God. He keeps track of all His children heroic or not. As a child of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, your death is duly noted by the One who matters! Ps 116:15 says, “ Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.”

Prophet, priest, king, pauper, nurse, garbage collector….it doen’t matter! As a follower of Jesus Christ your passing is noted! So wherever you are and whatever you are doing, just be  faithful like Deborah and trust God for the rest!

# 326 The Fearee Instead of the Fearer!

The Book of Genesis

Day 326

Ge 35:5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

Jacob is on his way to Bethel because he is fearful that the inhabitants of the land will annihilate he and his household. As he slowly marches on toward Bethel with his small band, he must’ve been wondering, “What gives?” As they travel past the cities of the Canaanites, instead of being greeted by bands of angry warriors, city gates are being slammed shut, window shades are drawn down, people cower in fear as he and his little band traipse by. He must’ve been wondering what mighty conquering warrior was following them, that such fear has struck the hearts of the Canaanites. It wouldn’t surprise me if they themselves didn’t pick up the pace a little bit to make sure they weren’t overtaken by this “terror” that seemed to be following them.

The terror of God is nothing to be trifled with! But why now? Why does God’s promised protection of Jacob show up in this invisible manner? Why this sudden show of strength on behalf of Jacob? I believe 2 Ch 16:9 has a clue: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

Remember Jacob had just cleaned his house of all the foreign gods that were among them. He removed them and buried them. This display of loyalty on Jacob’s part did not go unnoticed by God!  In fact, God actively searches for it on this earth and rewards it!

Jacob also charged his household to purify themselves. This was the heart act of ridding themselves of any and all divided loyalty and God saw and He acted mightily!

Notice something here: When Jacob had the other gods in his camp, it was he who was afraid, when he turned to God alone, he became the “fearee” instead of the “fearer.”

In this day and age when fear seems to be gripping God’s children all around (Just listen to the latest popular Christian music and you’ll see what I mean) maybe we ought to check our loyalties. Divided loyalty opens the door for fear.

Friend, are you struggling with fear? I know I do, and it usually means that I have divided my loyalty to God, something has inched it way between me and Jesus, and I need to learn to bury my other gods and go all in with Jesus. It must be Jesus and Jesus alone! As we learn to do this, we will become like Jacob, and be the fearee rather than the fearer.

# 325 But I Don't Have Time For That

The Book of Genesis

Day 325

Ge 35:2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.  3 "Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone."

It has been put in Jacob’s heart to return to Bethel (the House of God)  This was the place where God had made a covenant with Jacob some 20 years ago. In that covenant, God said He would protect him and bring him safely to the promised land. For Jacob’s part, he had said “if you bring me back here, then you will be my God.” (I’m not even going to comment on that dog and pony show philosophy! It’s an age old approach to God that is still in use today. “God if you perform for me, then You will be my God.””

Let’s just ignore that for now, as God did here with Jacob and also seems to ignore at times today.

The fact of the matter is that push has given way to shove and if Jacob is going to keep his end of the deal, the foreign gods that he and his troupe have accumulated must go!  Jacob has allowed idolatry to creep into his life and God speaks to his heart in a way that Jacob knows the idols must go!

I think we have all been in this place at one time or another. Complacency sets in with our walk with Jesus, and slowly but surely our own little idols creep back in to our day to day living.  It would behoove us then, to set some time aside on a regular basis, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or whatever it takes to spend some time alone with God!

While we are with Him in our prayer closet, let Him show us what we need to clean out and remove from our “idol” closet. What are those things in our lives that keep us from going all in with Jesus? Whatever those idols may be, purify yourself from them! Separate yourself from them! Change your garments that have been stained with the things of this world and your sins. Remember your baptism and put on the pure garment of Christ!

Ro 13:14 tells us: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

What? You say you don’t have that kind of time to sit, waiting on the Lord to show you the idols in your life? Well, if you want to return to Bethel (the House of God) something’s gotta give. You cannot serve two masters! And (ahem) if you don’t have time, ask yourself what idol is robbing you of that time?

# 324 When God "Speaks" To Your Heart

The Book of Genesis

Day 324

Ge 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Have you ever said or heard someone else say something like, “the Lord has laid it on my heart…..”  or, “the Lord is leading me to do this or that?” That’s what’s going on here.  God isn’t appearing face to face here. He isn’t even speaking audibly to Jacob. If He were, He would’ve said make an altar to ME rather than “make an altar to GOD.” Do you see the difference?

I mention this so you may have assurance when God speaks to your heart regarding action He desires you to take.  Don’t blow it off! It may very well be God speaking to you inaudibly! He may have something He wants you to do! The bigger question, we should ask when something is laid on our heart, is this: “Is it from our flesh, or is it from God?” Be careful how you answer that because Jer 17:9  warns us "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

The question is easily answered though when we put the action up against the Word of God. If it is contrary to God’s Word, we can write it off as something from our flesh. If the action doesn’t violate God’s Word and if it will bring glory to God, then it’s safe to say, it’s something God has laid on your heart. And if God has laid it on your heart….do it! Make haste as Jacob did!

In Jacob’s case, he likely had this laid upon his heart during a time of intense prayer. Two of his sons have just wiped out a city as they took vengeance on behalf of their sister Dinah who had been raped by Shechem. Jacob was concerned because he and his company have become a stench to the Canaanites and he feels they are in danger of being wiped out, and so he comes to the Lord in prayer: “Lord what should I do?”

Somehow, during this time of prayer, the Lord speaks to Jacob and brings to mind a place of peace and protection which Jacob has experienced in times past. And in the quietness of his heart, the Lord says, “Get off your knees and head to Bethel.” Bethel means “house of God.”  It is in the house of God where Jacob, and you and I will find peace and protection!

There was turmoil swirling all around Jacob at this time in his life, and God lays it on his heart to go back to church. (Bethel, the house of God)  to find peace and protection in the midst of the storm.

Going through some rough waters in your life? Maybe you need to head back to Bethel!

# 323 The Church of the Lumpy Rug

The Book of Genesis

Day 323

Ge 34:30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I." 31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a harlot?"

Do you catch a bit of an age old vibe here? It seems like it is still with us today. Let’s sweep this incident under the rug, I mean, what will the neighbors think? Let’s not draw attention to the sins that are silently being accepted in the church today.  We don’t want to offend anyone or scare anyone away from church do we?

And the boys answered, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?” Should we let this sin go unchallenged. Should we look the other way when sexual immorality and other sins rise up in the church? Should not someone speak up for God’s plan regarding sex and life? Shouldn’t someone sound the warning found in 1Co 6:9,10? “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

We should not live this way, and according to the next verse, we don’t have to live this way!  11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Don’t let these sins identify you! Let your identity be found in the spot free and wrinkle free Son of God!  There’s a big difference between a church with lumpy rugs and those who would seek to be found without spot or wrinkle.

Pray: Father thank You for this promise found in Your Word. Help us to realize the seriousness of our sins. Lead us to trust Jesus for our forgiveness and salvation. For there is no other name by which we must be saved.

# 322 When Your Circumstances Don’t Look Good

The Book of Genesis

Day 322

Ge 34:30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I."

Simeon and Levi decided to enact justice against those who had raped their sister. They single-handedly wiped out the Hivite men, (who had been disabled by their act of being circumcised) and they delivered Dinah from her captors. One would think that their father would be pleased with their actions, but he wasn’t. In addition to being grieved over their deceitful proposal to have the Hivite men circumcised, (perhaps a reminder of his own old deceitful ways) Jacob was also concerned about the safety of his family.

He and his family were greatly outnumbered by the Canaanites and he was quite naturally concerned that his entire family could be wiped out, because of the actions of his two sons. How quick he was, and how quick we often are to forget God’s promises in the face of fearful circumstances.

In the King James version of this account it says, “You have made me to stink among the inhabitants of the land.” Just think about that for a moment. What do inhabitants of the land do today when there is a stink in their midst? They try to put an end to it don’t they! Many times you will pick up the paper and read stories of neighbors up in arms over an odiferous farm or factory, and then the legal action often taken to remove the source of the stench.

These Canaanites were going to act to get rid of that skunk Jacob! 

Obviously, Jacob had taken his eyes off of God and the promises God had made to him at Bethel, and that would be an easy thing to do considering the circumstances.  Ah yes…..circumstances.

Those conditions that so often surround us and cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus. It’s what happened to Peter when he hopped out of the boat and started to walk on water, and I know it has happened often to you and I as well.

Maybe you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by circumstances in your life today. May I encourage you to take some time to get away and spend some time with the Lord. Shut off the computer. Turn off the cell phone. Bring your Bible and ask God to speak assurance and courage to your heart as you dwell on the promises in His word.  In fact, maybe it would be a good idea to keep a file of those promises, so you can go to them immediately when you sense fear on the rise!

Don’t know where to start? The gospel of John says an awful lot about God’s love for you, and the Psalms often talk about overwhelming circumstances in David’s life. I have made it a practice to read a Psalm a day and highly recommend it to others!

# 321 Smitten With Greed

Day 321

Ge 34:15 "But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised,  16 "then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.  17 "But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone."  18 And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.  19 So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father.  20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying:  21 "These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters.  22 "Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised.  23 "Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us."  24 And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.  25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.  26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out.  27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled.  28 They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field,  29 and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses.

 First thing I noticed here was the statement that Shechem was the most honorable  of Hamor’s sons! Really? He was a rapist! Makes you wonder how bad his brothers were! What is meant here is that Shechem’s  motive for getting circumcised was purer than his brothers motives. His motive was he was smitten with Dinah, his brothers were smitten with greed.

When you think about it, there wasn’t much else to appeal to! Picture Shechem standing before the men of the city and saying, “So anyway guys, if you agree to be circumcised, then I get to marry this beautiful girl.”  I don’t think there would’ve been a stampede  to have this done.  BUT, when visions of sharing all the livestock and property of the Jews enters  their heads, they are eager to suffer for a little while to reap the material benefits. “Where do I sign?”

This covetousness cost them dearly! As they recovered from the pain of circumcision, they were defenseless when Dinah’s blood brothers (Simon and Levi) came into the city swinging their swords. Instead of gaining all….. they lost it all! None of this happens to them if they refrain from coveting. No wonder God says, “Thou shalt not covet! It’s for our own good!

When coveting runs its course, it brings death, for the very riches that we are hell bent on pursuing are really the poison that will kill us if we don’t get a handle on it! Pr 1:19 says, “ So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners”

We must fight this fleshly urge to place material things above our relationship with God. The Holy Spirit reminds us of this in 1Ti 6:6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Let us learn this secret of contentment, let us seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us.

# 320 Circumcision Then, Baptism Now, Must Be Accompanied By Faith

The Book of Genesis

Day 320

Ge 34:11 Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.  12 "Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife."  13 But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister.  14 And they said to them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us.  15 "But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised,  16 "then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

Shechem professes to be in love with Dinah, but let us not forget that he forced his affections on her and raped her!. Now he pleads with Jacob and his sons to give her to him in marriage. He will give anything, pay anything to have her.

But the sons of Jacob spoke deceitfully because Shechem had defiled their sister. They were going to make him pay because they would not have anyone treat their sister as a harlot.

While no formal pronouncement against intermarriage with the Canaanites had yet been issued by God, it was certainly understood by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they went through great lengths to avoid marrying Canaanite women. So the deceit on the brothers part here, is that they really had no intention of unifying the Hittites with them.  Rather, they planned to eliminate them and make them pay for their crime against their sister.

So they propose to the Hivites that they should become circumcised like them and then they can become one. Sounded like a good deal to the Hivites, but of course it was for the wrong reason. They thought by being melded into the Jews through circumcision they would then own all their livestock, property, and animals. They thought they could have all the benefits of the Hebrews by connecting with them superficially  through circumcision.

One problem, circumcision then, and baptism now, must always be accompanied by faith in order to be of any value.

This kind of superficial conversion still takes place today. People have their infants baptized with no intent of bringing them up in the admonition of the Lord, and the faith given to that child in baptism, flickers and many times, dies.

People often attend church in order to be called Christians but their hearts are far from the Lord.

Some profess to be Christians because they see it as a way to benefit materially.

God’s Word is clear, superficial circumcision (then) or (today) baptism doesn’t cut it. It’s the circumcision of the heart, the raising to new life in Christ that matters. Mr 16:16 says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

# 319 Let’s Sweep It Under the Rug

The Book of Genesis

Day 319

Ge 34:8 But Hamor spoke with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.  9 "And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves.  10 "So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it."  11 Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.

 Hamor, perhaps sensing the anger of Jacob’s sons at his son for the rape of their sister, pleads on behalf of his son. “Please give her to him as a wife, my son longs for her.” Umm, no Hamor, he didn’t LONG for her he LUSTED after her and raped her!  And the feeling certainly isn’t mutual, Dinah had been taken against her will!

But there is more to Hamor’s pleading, he says, “while we’re at it, let’s just mix these two people groups together.” You marry our daughters, and we’ll marry yours. You can dwell with us, trade with us, and acquire possessions for yourselves.”

Oh my, the temptation! What happens if Jacob and his sons accept this offer? What happens to the rape of Dinah? It is swept under the rug of boys will be boys compromise. It is justified in the name of peace and prosperity, and a standard is set, or perhaps we should say a standard is lowered for the treatment of all the Dinah’s in the land.

This is the way it is with sin. When it is committed, the spirit of compromise or self-justification often follows. Let’s not confess it as sin. Let’s not repent of it, let’s just let it slide and enter into a place where such activity is tolerated. Friends, that’s the wrong kingdom and you know it! You know which kingdom tolerates sin, and you and I should have no part in it. The end result of such compromise is death!

1Th 5:3 says, “For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Have you entered into an agreement with sin? Is it adultery? Fornication? Drunkenness? Homosexuality? Idolatry? Thievery? Covetousness? Such compromisers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Read 1 Cor 6:9,10. (Don’t forget the remedy found in 1 Cor 6:11)  Repent of your sin and return to the purity of Dinah before she went out to see the daughters of the land!

# 318 Rape!

The Book of Genesis

Day 318

Ge 34:1 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.  2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her.  3 His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman.  4 So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get me this young woman as a wife."  5 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 came.  6 Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.  7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done.

As a Canaanite, Shechem behaved like a Canaanite. He saw Dinah, was strongly attracted to her, and violated her. The Hebrew word here means he “ravished” her. Let’s not sugar coat it, he raped her. Oh, he told her he loved her and spoke kindly to her, but he raped her. The use of the word violated tells us that Dinah was not a willing participant in this act.

Shechem then asked his father to make the necessary arrangements with Jacob, that he might obtain Dinah as his wife. Somehow the word gets back to Jacob that his daughter had been defiled by Shechem, and for whatever reason, Jacob holds his peace until his sons come in from the field.  Then Hamor, the father of Shechem speaks to Jacob and his sons and he tells them what happened and the sons of Jacob were “very grieved and angry.” The Hebrew word here means that they were “white hot” in their anger….they were seething! Shechem had raped their sister, a thing which ought not ever be done!

In 2 Sam 13:12, we read of another woman’s pleas to a rapist, this time it was her own brother! Amnon plotted to defile Tamar, his sister, and she says, “No my brother. Do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!”

Need we say more guys? “Do not force! Do not do this disgraceful thing!” End of argument! There is never an excuse for rape!

A word of warning here for the Dinah’s of this world.  Beware of the crowd you hang out with. They may not have the same values that you have. Seek to steer clear of any situations that may put you in a dangerous or compromising situation, and dress modestly.  I know it’s not fair to have to live like that, but Canaan, (the world) is not always a nice place.  

And sons, you too must beware of the ways of the world. They are not the ways of God when it comes to sexual intimacy and purity. Sexual intimacy is to be saved for marriage, and you must never, NEVER force your affections on another. It is a disgraceful thing that should not be done!

# 317 Looking For Love In All the Wrong Places

The Book of Genesis

Day 317

Ge 34:1 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Dinah, the daughter of Leah, decides to hang out with the daughters of the land. As any person, young or old desires to be loved and accepted by their peers, so it is with Dinah. Often, in our society today, our young people grow up without the influence of a father in a home, and family psychologists tell us of the importance of fathers expressing their love for their daughters, lest their daughters seek it elsewhere in ill-advised relationships.

This quest for love and acceptance often shows up in the sexual sins of fornication and homosexuality, which more often than not is acceptable behavior amongst the “daughters of the land.”  The only hope for deliverance from these types of sins is found in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can overcome the lack of love and acceptance in our lives through His unconditional love and acceptance of us poor sinners! Only Jesus can pull us out of our sinful lifestyles, into a lifestyle of following Him.

1Co 6:9-11 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

“Such were some of you!” But you don’t have to be identified by those sins anymore, as you trust in Jesus!

I don’t mean to put parents on a guilt trip in this matter, but I do think it is important to remind us often of how important love and acceptance is to our children and they need to be consistently affirmed early on!

Don’t miss the mention of the fact that Dinah was Leah’s daughter. Leah desperately desired love and acceptance from her husband and she thought the only way she could get it was by producing male offspring. Is it any wonder then that Dinah started hanging out with the wrong crowd looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places? She likely wasn’t getting it in her dysfunctional family!

Now parents, do not despair. It is never too late to start loving your children properly. If you’ve blown it in the past, confess it to God, invite Him into your situation, and be willing to be changed by Him in a way that will attract your children to the Light of the Lord! And as your children are attracted to the Light of the Lord, the things of this world will become,  as the song says, “strangely dim.”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

# 316 Hangin’ Out With the Wrong Crowd

The Book of Genesis

Day 316

Ge 34:1 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Things are about to get a little ugly here, as the Bible looks at some real life situations. We are about to read of some things that are not nice to talk about, but they are real life. They happened to real people! These kind of things still happen today, to real people, and I hope the biblical story of Dinah may in some way help us to prevent such occurrences in our own lives, and if not prevent, at least learn how to deal with these situations when they arise!

It all began when Dinah went out “to see the daughters of the land.” In today’s terminology we might say, “She began hanging out with the wrong crowd.  The “daughters of the land,” were Canaanites. They were heathens. They participated in all sorts of wickedness including , idolatry, temple prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, incest, murder, bestiality, gang rape, and child sacrifice. Not all of them engaged in these activities, but it was a way of life for many in their culture. These “daughters of the land” and their associated customs and accepted behaviors would quite naturally have an impact with Dinah as she tried to fit in. She would be exposed and put at risk to these lifestyles that were so contradictory to God’s Word.  She was playing with fire!

By most biblical accounts, Dinah was about 15 or 16 years old at this time. A very impressionable age, and she was exposed to things that a young teen should not be exposed to.

Parents, how are you doing with your children? What are they being exposed to by the friends they are hanging out with? What are they taking in on their smartphones and the internet? Have you taken the time to find out? Have you communicated to them on a regular basis the standards of living set forth in the Bible? Have you exhibited those same standards in your own lives?

Don’t wait until they're Dinah’s age to do so, by then, it’s usually too late. Keep your lines of meaningful conversation open with your children, and above all, keep your communication lines open with God! In the matter of raising godly children, pray! Pray! Pray some more…..there’s much at stake!

# 315 Where Do You Want To Spend Eternity?

Genesis Devotion

Day 315

Ge 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.  18 Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.  19 And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.  20 Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.

It’s interesting to look at a map and see where each brother ended up. Esau returns to Edom, and becomes the father of the Edomites. Jacob travels a mere five miles to the west where he builds himself a house and some shelters for his livestock. He stays there for an unspecified length of time and then travels another 20 miles to the west to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, (the promised land) So at this point, Jacob has officially returned to his home country, the country of his inheritance. We know it’s official because the Scripture says “Then Jacob came safely from Padan Aram, or Haran, which is where he had stayed with Laban for the past 20 years. The stopover at Succoth didn’t count as the end of his journey. It wasn’t until he was within the borders of Canaan that he had successfully concluded his journey. NOW he can erect an altar of thanksgiving for he has officially and safely returned.

The purchase of this property is noteworthy. Shechem is right smack dab in the middle of the promised land. This chunk of real estate would later be allotted to the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, and it was the place where Joseph desired to be buried.

It came to pass 400 years after Jacob purchased this land, that Joseph’s bones, (which had been carried with the Israelites) were buried. (See Josh 24:32) This purchase then, is a reminder of the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises!

Now you may say, “ I don’t have 400 years to wait on God to keep His promises.” Well neither did the Israelites, it’s this thing called “mortality.” We all have it. And we all also have this thing called eternity for our souls, and the question is, where do you want to spend it? There is one promise of God that really matters, and that promise is eternity in the bliss of heaven for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Hitch your wagon to that promise, and all will be well!

# 314 We Are Family

The Book of Genesis

Day 314

Ge 33:12 Then Esau said, "Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you."  13 But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die.  14 "Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir."  15 And Esau said, "Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said, "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."  16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.  17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

It is heartwarming to see reconciliation in a family….any family! Esau invites Jacob to journey on with him  to Seir, but Jacob has his heart set on returning to the land that God had promised him. He begs off with the very legitimate excuse that his wives, children, and livestock would not be able to keep up with the hard charging pace of Esau. Jacob tells Esau to go ahead, he’ll catch up with him later, and of course it never happened.

I’m reminded of the many instances in my own life, at various family gatherings. How often we say things like, “We’ll have to get together soon!” or, “We shouldn’t just see each other at weddings and funerals!” And of course we never see anyone until the next wedding or funeral!  But hey, that’s OK! Life happens and we all have our lives to live. We gravitate to our own circle of acquaintances, or our own vocations and do life!

It seems in this day and age of upwardly mobile people, families are farther and farther apart, but one family is never far away, no matter where you are located, and that is the family of God! Jesus said in Mt 12:48, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"  49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Strong words, but the truth for the Christian is this: We are members of a new family! All disciples, all believers, those who do the will of the Father are our new family members. This of course, does not give us license to neglect our biological families, (We shall see that play out later on when Esau and Jacob team up to bury their father) In fact the Scriptures tell us in 1Ti 5:8, “ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

So, be sure to take care of your biological family, but remember, true family connections, that carry on through eternity are made through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Are you looking for a family? Have you persevered in finding a local congregation of believers to belong to?  Remember, wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus…..you have family!

# 313 Thankful Giving

The Book of Genesis

Day 313

Ge 33:6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.  7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.  8 Then Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" And he said, "These are to find favor in the sight of my lord."  9 But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself."  10 And Jacob said, "No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.  11 "Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." So he urged him, and he took it.

The formalities all taken care of, Esau now asks Jacob, “What gives with all the presents?” Jacob replies, “These are all for you, that I might find favor in your sight.”  Esau replies, “that’s really not necessary, I have all that I need.”

At that point, I might have said something like, “OK” and taken all my droves back, but not Jacob! Something has happened in his heart since his meeting with Esau! He says, “You have granted me favor and there is no need to receive the gift in the spirit of my original intent! (that he might buy Esau’s favor) Rather, receive this gift in which I now give it!

You know, when we met back there, and you ran toward me, and embraced me, and kissed me, and wept with me, it was like being greeted by God Himself! That is the spirit in which I now give this gift to you!  I give it as if it were a gift to God!  For as you were pleased with me, (and the word “pleased” here means to be pleased with someone as if their debt was paid,) so I am grateful to you!”

What Jacob was saying in effect is, “Since you have forgiven the debt that I owed you through my stealing of the birthright and the blessing, I give this to you as a way of saying thanks!”

What a beautiful picture of scriptural giving! “We love Him because He first loved us!”  We don’t give to God to buy His favor, we give out of response to His favor! Jacob was given a glimpse of the character of God through his brother Esau as he was unconditionally received and forgiven! This welcome by Esau was the same kind of welcome the father gave to his prodigal son. It is the same kind of welcome God gives to you and I as we turn from our sins and turn back to God, and it should prompt the same kind of giving!

God running to meet us, embracing us, kissing us, tears of joy running down His face as we return to him! How can we not but gladly give to one who so freely has accepted us and forgiven us all our sins!

# 312 A Kindness From God

The Book of Genesis 

Day 312

Ge 33:5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

I’ve always loved Jacob’s response to Esau’s question about his family! “These are the children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Jacob understands something that our culture, and yes, even the church of today does not comprehend. Children are a gift from God!

Now I know, I’ve gone down this road many times before, but that’s because the Bible consistently takes this road as well. Children are a gift from God! They are not our property, not to be disposed of as we see fit. They are to be nurtured, cherished, even…..desired. The term “graciously given,” here is the idea of a Superior Being, stooping down to an inferior being and bestowing an act of kindness. 

Children are an act of kindness from God Almighty!

What cheek then! What audacity! What foolish pride then, when we tell God we are not interested in His “little acts of kindness.” Friends, we need an attitude adjustment in this matter! Let these words from Scripture penetrate your soul today! “The children whom God has graciously given.” 

Imagine what kind of impact that attitude would have on children in our society today!  What would that attitude do to the number of abortions in our land (over 60 million since 1973 and counting) How would this attitude affect the number of battered children? Would children ever have to live in fear of being sexually molested again?

It all starts with us folks. Let the church lead the way in this matter. The world is not going to figure this out by themselves. We must take the lead! We must view children as an act of kindness from God and demonstrate that attitude in our own lives.

The world is waiting…..God is waiting. It’s time for us to allow the Word of God to reshape our thinking about children. God has some radical things to say about the size of our families and the treatment of family members, but hey, don’t forget, we are to be a radical people!

2Co 6:17a Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.”  

The next time you see a child, (your own or others) pause and reflect on the truth that they are a kindness from God, something graciously given by God!

# 311 Reconciliation

The Book of Genesis

Day 311

Ge 33:4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Jacob has been away from home for 20 years. He left because Esau had vowed to kill him because Jacob had stolen Esau’s birthright and tricked his father into giving him the blessing. There was bad blood between these two brothers.

But look what happens when God enters the picture!

God has been working on the heart of Jacob, he has brought the deceiver Jacob to a place of repentance. He has humbled him and in that humility, God takes a bitter, hateful, manipulative relationship between family members and restores them to where they inwardly long to be.

Read this verse again.

Isn’t that the longing of your own heart? Don’t you desire to have that kind of relationship with that parent, or sibling, or child in your family?  Don’t put it off another day! Get the ball rolling toward reconciliation!

Start with prayer! Pray God’s blessing on that person. Then spend some time allowing God the Holy Spirit to convict you of any wrongdoing or wrong attitude on your part. Ask God to help you forgive any wrongdoing on their part, remembering that your sins are just as responsible for putting Jesus on the cross as theirs.

Then, ask God to help you see the positive qualities of that person. What are some of the good times and seasons you remember with them? Look hard if you have to, they are there.  As you humble yourself before God, you will begin to see the good qualities of others and God will begin to do a good work in your own heart.

Then watch for opportunities to have meaningful contact with that person. When you find it, cross that bridge.  Make the contact.  Visit them, phone them, write them letters, all the while affirming them and concentrating on the good things.

Steadfastly do these things, and I believe you can have the same experience  that Esau and Jacob had….an embrace, a kiss, some tears, and an exchange of those three words we all long to hear. “I love you.”