RPG Adults
“WHIFFS OF LEBANON AND BEIRUT”
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Genesis 34:13-31
Psalm 16
They that take the sword
shall perish by the sword.
“WHIFFS OF LEBANON AND BEIRUT”
Jacob’s sons had their minds set on murder, but answered deceitfully:
1. We cannot give our sister to one who is not circumcised. Our family observes circumcision. Unless you are circumcised, there can be no deal.
2. Inter-marriage also cannot be considered unless ALL your males are circumcised, like us. If you agree and undergo the rite, then we can enter into union with you, as you propose.
Shechem and his father Hamor gladly received the proposal and persuaded all the men to agree. The entire community had their men circumcised. To the Shechemites, the prospect of union with a flourishing family with vast herds and flocks meant increased political strength, social status and material wealth. It reminds one of the commercial “mergers” of modern business.
Jacob’s sons did their father the greatest disservice and brought to God’s name the greatest dishonour by their hypocrisy and deceit. Their use of the covenant sign of circumcision in order to facilitate their malicious plot is without parallel.
The 1982 incursion of lsrael into Lebanon and Beirut bears a strange resemblance to the slaughter of the Shechemites. “Our sister has been defiled…” This was sufficient justification for the wholesale massacre of a whole community. The sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi) came upon the city boldly and slew all the males.
This sort of senseless, unrestrained and ruthless slaughter of defenceless men seems to a large degree to have been re-enacted in Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. “Our northern provinces have been under attack. We will hit back in self-defence.” Suddenly, with the speed of lightning, the sons of Israel, numbering 100,000 overran the country, killing at will, and ravaged the city of Beirut. All in the name of justice.
THOUGHT: Some baptisms are received for similarly unworthy motives.
PRAYER: May hypocrisy and deceit not be part of my life.