READING FOR MAY 20, 2024: GENESIS 34, MARK 3, PSALM 44:1-8 GENESIS 34 God created men and women in His image. He charged them to rule in partnership over His creation and to fill the earth with their children. This relationship was central to His perfect creation, but, since the Fall, has also been the source of endless dysfunction. In this sorry story, we see that Jacob brought his family to a place that was not God’s desire for them. We don’t know why he did this. It doesn’t matter, though, because there is no reason good enough not to follow God’s leading. Consider that fact as you contemplate whether to obey the Bible or choose another pathway that might seem to offer temporary advantages.
Although the sexual assault of Dinah happened before the Mosaic laws were given, notice that rape was considered wrong by Jacob’s sons. In our discussion of Romans 5 from March 20, 2024, we see that all humankind had and have a sense of right or wrong, even without access to the Bible. By the way, this moral sense is one strong argument for God. Without God’s overarching and unchanging standard, people can’t even use words such as right or wrong—only “it is what it is.”
As with Jacob and Laban before them, there is cleverness in the scheme designed by Jacob’s sons for revenging the assault. There is also a degree of justice motivating them. But there is no indication they sought direction from the Lord or approval by all the others who were impacted, notably Jacob and especially Dinah—whose wishes were never consulted in the entire chapter. Executing this scheme meant not just lying but also a huge escalation of violence through killing, looting, and kidnapping. This did not please Jacob and put the entire family household in grave danger.
Do we ever stop to think about the total impact of our free choices? Not only was Jacob responsible for their being in this region, but Jacob’s deceptive behavior throughout his life provided a lifestyle model for his children. He might have thought his behavior had a limited impact and that he “got away” with his lying. He was wrong. We are wrong when we make choices that dishonor God. There are no victimless sins or crimes. Generations suffer.
MARK 3 In our discussion of Mark 2 we considered Sabbath practices for us today. Here again, we see the Pharisees continuing to be offended by how Jesus practiced the Sabbath. Notice, before Jesus healed the man, he asked the Pharisees if they thought it was lawful to do so on the Sabbath. They didn’t want to go on record, but immediately began conspiring against Jesus when he healed the man. How like many of us who don’t take a stand when it matters but are quick to criticize when someone violates our way of doing things. As it says in the text, Jesus is grieved when we use unbiblical traditions as excuses not to show love to those in need.
READING FOR MAY 20 CONTINUED: MARK 3, PSALM 44:1-8
| Just as did John the Baptist, Jesus’s unique ministry (in Galilee in this chapter) attracted large crowds from an enormous geographic area, from Sidon on the north seacoast to Idumea to the south of the Dead Sea. He did not use social media or any great promotional campaign. In fact, He often told people not to spread the news of his miracles. Yet, as people sensed the power of His teaching and deeds, the word spread. Can we attract people to get out of bed on Sundays to worship this loving and mighty Lord today? Jesus has not changed: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Let’s worship Him as if this is true. |
It’s interesting, isn’t it, that demons clearly identified Jesus as the Son of God and He did not disavow this statement of His divinity. Yet, extremely well-known Biblical scholars, such as Bart Ehrman, wrongly state on national media that Jesus did not claim to be God in the book of Mark, and they are acclaimed as “enlightened scholars.” Beware of false teachers!
Jesus chose twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot included, to receive authority to preach and cast out demons. Was Judas a believer at that point? It seems the very definition of a betrayer, say Bennedict Arnold, is someone on one side who then joins the opposing side. Thus, if Judas fits this definition, he is an example of someone who was a believer who voluntarily gave up His salvation—just as Satan gave up his place in heaven as an angel of light. Traditional Presbyterians would not explain this as losing salvation—a point of doctrinal difference.
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is called an unforgivable sin (Mark 3:29). Since John 15:26 says the Spirit testifies about Jesus, rejecting Jesus may be the sin that can’t be forgiven. Even Jesus’s mother and brothers didn’t accept Him at this point. Jesus didn’t give them any special pass. Only believers are part of His spiritual family. This view of Mary differs with Catholic doctrine.
PSALM 44:1-8 These first verses suggest that the story of God and His people was communicated by oral tradition, specifically fathers, over an unbroken chain of multiple generations. This was enough for generations to make God their king and trust Him totally. Paul also affirms this is the duty of fathers (Ephesians 6:4). Have we noticed our younger generations continuing to walk with God or has there been a drop off? If we fathers still have children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren, it’s not too late. We don’t have to be extroverted, knowledgeable, or confident. We just need to be obedient.
