Text: Genesis 34:1-31.
Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah is raped by Shechem, a man who dwells in the land of God’s covenant. Shechem desires to marry Dinah, so Simeon and Levi, both sons of Jacob and Leah, deceive the man and his townsmen into joining the covenant, if all the males will receive the covenant sign of circumcision. The men are willing, and while they are in pain, Simeon and Levi kill all the males and steal their property.
We see that God’s covenant purposes continue to move forward, in spite of the wickedness of humanity, including the evil of His own people of grace! Nothing could stop the work of Christ in His earthly mission to secure redemption. We also see that God’s mercy is far greater than we can imagine! We who belong to Christ are the recipients of that great mercy and grace.
Meditate on verses 1-4. In your actions, is there anyone you have violated in any way? Repent. Do acts of evil that are happening in this Country grieve you? (verse 7).
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that You forgive us for the evil we have committed as a nation. In Your judgement have mercy on us.
Amen.