HEAR Journaling - Genesis 34
Highlight – Genesis 34:24-26 New Living Translation
Revenge against Shechem
24 So all the men in the town council agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the town was circumcised. 25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there, 26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp.
Explain – This is interesting as in Chapter 33 we focused on the power of forgiveness, but here in chapter 34 we find that Jacob’s sons took matters in their own hands and tricked the men of Shechem to be circumcised, then three days later Simeon and Levi brought men to Shechem and killed every male. They took revenge without even considering the Lord.
Apply – The Lord’s instructions are clear, we are not to take revenge on our own but we should always seek the will of the Lord and do as He directs to do. He will apply the correct judgement and solution; we must not interfere with His will by trying to take revenge from our own will.
Romans 12:17-21 ESV Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 3:9 ESV Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Proverbs 24:29 ESV Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
Matthew 5:38-39 ESV “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
Mark 11:25 ESV And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
James 1:19-20 ESV
Respond - Thank You Lord for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Help me Lord to love others as You do. Help me to be all that I can be in You. I strive to love You with all my mind, soul, body, and strength and strive to extend the same to others as You give me strength. I pray for those that do not know You. Amen.
REPLICATE Ministries, What is a HEAR Journal?
https://replicate.org/what-is-a-hear-journal/
HEAR Journaling Method
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/e4/e465d33d-444a-46eb-9922-5cdcb0aaef4d/documents/H.E.A.R_journal_method.pdf
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