Jacob’s Family (6) Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. Psalm 26:9,10
Read Psalm 26
Shechem and his father Hamor agreed to the proposal of Jacob’s sons. All the males of the city of Shechem were circumcised. On the third day, when all the men were still recovering, two brothers of Dinah take things into their own hands; they kill the people in Shechem’s town. The rest of Jacob’s family plunder the city.
How dreadful! The wages of sin are enormous! Sin is never satisfied and always asks for more, even death. That is still true today; I hope you realize this. This whole debacle began with a young woman’s desires and her father’s silence; sadly, it ended in a ferocious massacre. Yes, this was an extreme case, yet we see how a development within a small family circle can have great consequences. When parents deny their calling and duty, a vacuum is created which is quickly filled by more sin.
It is therefore most important that families dialogue regularly. Only when you have open communication with your parents, and later with your own children if God gives them to you, are you kept sharp. Iron sharpens iron. You and I need this. Family members must keep an eye out for one another. To remain silent is sinful. Just look at Jacob, and consider Eli and his two sons. Both fathers remained silent. Is that also true of you? Take time to speak with your parents about the important things of life.
Thought: Communication is most important in family and societal life.
Psalter 69:5,7 (based on Psalm 26) Let not Thy judgment fall on me For evil men decreed, For cruel men and violent, Inspired by bribes and greed. Redeemed by Thee, I stand secure In peace and happiness; And in the Church, among Thy saints, Jehovah I will bless.