Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments." Psalm 119:66
Text: Genesis 34:1-31
FROM A PERSONAL FAITH TO FORMAL RELIGION
The personal faith that Abraham had, in time, become a religion, complete with rituals. Let us consider the growth and development of the “religion” of Jacob and his sons. In any religion, the following aspects are usually found. At least four aspects are usually present.
1. A body of knowledge of the Deity worshipped
2. A formal (or informal) statement of covenantal relationship
3. A Way of Life
4. Worship and Rituals
We cannot find fault with any of the above features! Every religion had certain distinctive features that set them apart from others!
THE MISSING FEATURES IN THE EXPLANATION GIVEN TO SHECHEM
What was missing in the explanation given by the sons of Jacob? The following may be noticed.
1. No knowledge about God given
If the sons of Jacob had been sincere, they would have sought to explain their faith in God in some length. However, they failed to speak a meaningful word about God and the need to find personal faith in Him!
2. No emphasis on finding personal faith in God
There was also no explanation or emphasis about the need to find personal faith in God. The ritualistic aspect was of no consequence if there wasn’t an accompanying faith!
3. No intention of inviting the Hivites to discover God at all
The sons of Jacob had no interest whatsoever to bring the Hivites to faith in God! They were merely setting them up for a treacherous plan of revenge!
4. Only the ritualistic aspect was highlighted
The brothers of Dinah had come up with an idea as to how they could take revenge. They were going to make use of their religion as a means to an end!
WHO WAS WORSE?
Shechem did a shameful thing when he violated Dinah. But were the brothers of Dinah less reprehensible in plotting as they did?