GENESIS 34 OUT OF CONTROL FAMILIES Following the history of this family through whom God was going to bless the world, I saw the pressure applied on them to be like the world around them. The only daughter, Dinah, wanted friends around the area and found herself the object of a young man's unwanted attention. The young man, who was used to getting what he wanted, took her. Then beyond that, he demanded that she be his wife. When passion controls a person they often go into areas of mind and life where they are controlled by impulse rather than reason. It is our responsibility as those who are older to teach, caution and warn those who are younger of the consequences of their choices and actions. There are expectations that many have now, even as the young man in this dark saga of Jacob's family, who think they are entitled to what they want and their parents should give it to them.
The dark side of this whole episode shows clearly the nature of those who here have lived unrestricted lives. The avenging brothers of Dinah felt they were justified in their murderous rampage. That arrogant, "We are better than them" attitude had consequences not only at the time the revenge took place, but even in generations to come. Separation from the sins of those around us is justified. When that is dropped in the interest of being like the world; "Out of control" events often follow. Sexual sin is of itself devastating because it has far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. An out of control mind leads to out of control passions. Out of control passions lead to out of control actions. Out of control actions lead to out of control consequences. Out of control consequences lead to out of control destinies.
The whole problem of entitlement leads to out of control people who have expectations beyond what is reasonable. For some reason there are those whose intention is to get whatever they can at the expense of others. Ultimately lying is followed by stealing, and in this case, it led to murder.
We never have the right to take what doesn't belong to us of whatever nature it is. The responsibility of this dark event lies on the shoulders of many. Shechem was guilty of the rape that took place. His father, Hamor was responsible for not having instilled respect for others in his son and attempting to cover over the act, although both of these men tried to do what was right after the fact.
Dinah should not have gone out on her own to connect with those who had different values. Her brothers were wrong to lie, deceive and murder in acts of violent revenge. Jacob must have been late in impressing his sons with what was the right way to deal with wrongs. All the things they stole in what they consider was righteous anger was not in any way justified or right. There is never anything that can be justified when we take into our hands that which God says is His. "Vengeance is mine. I will repay saith the Lord."
It may seem like a common matter in the eyes of many. An out of control mind has a tendency to fall for any Attraction or lust that has an appeal to our flesh. The consequences of one wrong, leads to many following in a rush.
Everything around us has been planned so we will be dissatisfied. Whether it is the lust of the flesh, the pride of life or the lust of the eyes. Each is designed by the powers of darkness to bring us ultimately down. For many who fall under those influences, they will God's truth disown.
When the mind gets out of control, often the words are out of control next. Casual words spoken suggestively can lead to casual sex. Casual sex then leads to full-blown passion that in this case led to rape. And it all starts out with the first downward step one allows himself to take.
Out of control passions, lead to out of control children. Out of control children to families who have no honor in them. When parents are dishonored by the children, then they dishonor laws - And the punishment that follows comes with legitimate cause.
We cannot control every instinct in our young, not even all their actions. But we can let our disapproval be known and our dissatisfaction. Disapproval has a certain impact as we stop to review And consider the results when the questionable event is through.
When we take or allow actions that are out of control - More than the body is affected, it also affects the soul. When tempted to take revenge because adverse things did happen - Stop to consider all the consequences before taking reprisal or action.
"O Lord God, preserve me I pray from taking matters into my own hands when difficulties arise. I know the temptation to retaliate is often there but I pray for grace to accept the fact that I do not have the right for revenge. I do rest in Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."