WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.200 In Genesis, tracking through the life of Jacob. 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:07.600 And as we do so, we come to Genesis 34. 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:11.259 ! So if you have a Bible, turn with me there to Genesis 34. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:17.960 Or you can turn in your bulletin or any device that you might have. 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:21.600 This is God's word, Genesis 34. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:33.760 Now Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. 00:00:33.980 --> 00:00:42.880 And when Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:46.900 And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:51.000 He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:56.980 So Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, Get me this girl for my wife. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:03.300 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah, but his sons were with his livestock in the field. 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:06.000 So Jacob held his peace until they came. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:10.560 And Hamor, the father of Shechem, went out to Jacob to speak with him. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:16.299 And the sons of Jacob had come in from the field as soon as they heard of it. 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:24.259 And the men were indignant and very angry because he had done an outrageous thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter. 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:26.879 For such a thing must not be done. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:32.739 But Hamor spoke with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. 00:01:33.199 --> 00:01:35.159 Please give her to him to be his wife. 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:37.299 Make marriages with us. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:39.359 Give your daughters to us. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:41.319 Take our daughters for yourselves. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:45.279 You shall dwell with us, and the land shall be open to you. 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:46.979 Dwell and trade in it. 00:01:47.399 --> 00:01:48.559 Get property in it. 00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:54.359 Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, Let me find favor in your eyes. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:56.959 Whatever you say to me, I will give you. 00:01:57.479 --> 00:02:02.479 Ask for me as a great, a bride price, and gift as you will. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:05.179 And I will give whatever you say to me. 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:07.919 Only give me the young woman to be my wife. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:15.080 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully because he had defiled their sister Dinah. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:20.740 They said to them, We cannot do this thing to give our sister to the one who is uncircumcised. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:23.620 For what would be a disgrace to us? 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:32.159 Only on this condition will we agree with you, that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:34.599 Then we will give our daughters to you. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:37.400 We will take your daughters to ourselves. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:40.519 We will dwell with you and become one people. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:47.979 But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone. 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:51.840 Their words pleased Hamor and Hamor's son Shechem. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:57.400 The young man did not delay to do the thing because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.400 Now he was the most honored of all his father's house. 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:07.420 So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying, 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:09.360 These men are at peace with us. 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:12.020 Let them dwell in the land and trade in it. 00:03:12.140 --> 00:03:14.159 For behold, the land is large enough for them. 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:16.460 Let us take their daughters as wives. 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:18.240 Let us give them our daughters. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:22.540 Only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us, 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:28.859 to become one people, when every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:34.500 Will not their livestock, their property, and all the beasts be ours? 00:03:34.979 --> 00:03:36.659 Only let us agree with them. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:38.539 They will dwell with us. 00:03:39.359 --> 00:03:44.359 And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem. 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:49.500 And every male was circumcised and all who went out of the gate of his city. 00:03:50.220 --> 00:03:56.880 On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, 00:03:57.320 --> 00:04:04.040 took their swords, came against the city while it felt secure, and killed all the males. 00:04:04.720 --> 00:04:10.640 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with a sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house and went away. 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:16.959 The sons of Jacob's came upon the slain and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:23.419 They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, whatever was in the city and in the field, 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:29.000 all their wealth, all their little ones and their wives, and all that was in the houses, 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.500 they captured and plundered. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:33.180 And then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:55.480 Let's pray. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:05:02.879 Lord, we come to your word this morning, knowing it's useful for us, knowing that you have spoken through it. 00:05:03.140 --> 00:05:06.879 Father, we ask this morning that you might use it in our lives, 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:13.100 that you might work in our hearts to see it as good and to see it as holy. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:15.200 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:05:15.640 --> 00:05:15.879 Amen. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:16.000 Amen. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:20.060 Where were you when? 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:23.420 What were you doing when it happened? 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:24.980 Well, what happened? 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:26.139 What are you talking about? 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:34.540 That question seems kind of appropriate, as Britt prayed earlier today, about the events of 9-11. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:40.920 But when we think back on significant events in world history or our nation's history, 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:44.240 maybe that have even transpired in our lifetime, 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:48.680 we think about when we heard the news or we watched the event unfold on TV. 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:52.000 Where were you when JFK was shot? 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:54.759 Were you listening to it on the radio? 00:05:55.580 --> 00:05:56.620 Were you born yet? 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:59.960 Where were you when we landed on the moon? 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.160 Were you born yet? 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.560 Some of the same questions arise. 00:06:04.200 --> 00:06:06.259 What about the fall of the Berlin Wall? 00:06:06.520 --> 00:06:07.460 What were your actions? 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.500 Did you rejoice? 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:09.840 Did you dance? 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:15.800 What about O.J. Simpson's road trip through Los Angeles? 00:06:16.020 --> 00:06:18.340 What were you doing while that was going on? 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:22.240 I was riding shotgun in a U-Haul, listening to it on the radio. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:30.920 Some of these events are pretty serious and significant events in our national history, 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:33.980 our national togetherness, what weaves us together. 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:37.200 Some are more lighthearted rather than somber. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:47.240 Did you watch the last season or last episode of Seinfeld, the longest running sitcom in history? 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:55.060 But if you think about the events of September 11th, that comes more to the fore when we ask the question, 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:56.300 where were you when? 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:59.160 What were you doing when you heard the news? 00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:01.340 Were you sitting in class? 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:05.300 Were you worried for friends, for family members? 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.300 Were you there? 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:06.340 Were you there? 00:07:07.460 --> 00:07:08.540 Would it unfold it? 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.560 Or were you not even born? 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:16.840 The events of 9-11, whether it altered the trajectory of your own life, 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:22.240 the decisions that you've made for vocation, for what not to do, 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:26.400 as it's caused so many Americans around this world to do, 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:29.259 around this nation and this world, 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:30.939 it's changed so many people. 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.019 But immediately after that, 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:37.659 questions probably bubbled up in your heart. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:41.459 Questions in your mind about justice, 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.319 goodness, and evil. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:47.000 Maybe they shook you to the core. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:50.800 Maybe you were so shocked it took you a couple days to think about, 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:54.120 how could God allow this? 00:07:55.039 --> 00:07:56.420 Where are you, God? 00:07:56.420 --> 00:08:00.280 How could you let this happen to all these people? 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:06.860 And I think that's why the events of 9-11 are so much more impactful. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:11.660 Maybe it's because I'm a young whippersnapper and I watched it happen. 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:17.160 But it confronts our sense of justice 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:21.400 and our sense of judgment and mercy 00:08:21.400 --> 00:08:24.439 and makes us look evil in the face. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:29.480 And then those questions bubble up in our hearts and our mind. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.800 And then we cry out for justice 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:35.220 and say, where are you, God? 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:36.980 What are you doing? 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:41.200 How can you be good and let something like this happen? 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:47.379 But that cry is not simply a cry for justice 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:50.040 as it is a frustration with evil, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.940 knowing that it shouldn't be like this. 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:56.320 And if we're honest this morning, 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:58.460 when we read a text like that, 00:08:58.560 --> 00:09:01.000 we ask the very same questions. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.740 Where are you, God, in the midst of this? 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:09.240 Are Jacob's sons right to execute justice in this way? 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:11.360 Should they have done that? 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:15.320 God, if you're good, if you're merciful, 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.960 why would you let this happen to this woman? 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.360 How could you? 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.799 How could you let this happen? 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:24.799 This is wrong. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:26.899 Something must be done about it. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:31.039 And this morning we see from this text, 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:34.159 as in the events of something like 9-11, 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:36.639 when we're confronted with real darkness, 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.079 real evil, 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.079 we're confronted with this idea 00:09:42.079 --> 00:09:45.059 that we often ask those questions 00:09:45.059 --> 00:09:47.240 and we want justice. 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:49.039 And how does that work 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.799 when we have a merciful and loving God? 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:53.079 How does that fit together? 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:56.040 It seems so strange 00:09:56.040 --> 00:09:58.300 that those two can coexist. 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:01.420 But we must hold fast 00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:04.780 to the greatness of the mercy of God. 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.379 Not just for ourselves, 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:09.379 but when events like this happen. 00:10:10.280 --> 00:10:11.020 So this morning, 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.340 as we look at this text, 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.560 we're going to do something 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:14.400 that's going to make 00:10:14.400 --> 00:10:16.860 every math science person cringe 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:19.440 and every English person rejoice. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:20.520 Okay? 00:10:20.900 --> 00:10:22.340 We're going to look at the plot 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.240 really quickly. 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:25.300 We're going to move from there 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.379 and look at the characters. 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:28.340 Because this is a story, after all. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.620 First, let's look at the story. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:34.320 Now, as we've read this, 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.180 and if we're even not even 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:38.259 following the narrative closely at all, 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.879 we can get really lost. 00:10:41.160 --> 00:10:43.320 And this story can be difficult to follow. 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:44.600 There's a lot going on 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.980 and there's a lot of people involved. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.600 And oh yeah, by the way, 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.980 Shechem is the place 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.860 and the name of the guy. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:51.500 Okay? 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:54.680 There are numerous finer details 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:55.860 and they switch conversations 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.500 between people. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.240 And so this story, though, 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.019 begins with something really simple. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.759 But that doesn't make it easy. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.980 It's what I warned you about 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.539 at the beginning of worship. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:09.879 That Dinah, the daughter to Leah and Jacob, 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:12.659 who now lives in Shechem, 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.820 journeys out into the city 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:18.860 and then she's raped by this man, Shechem, 00:11:19.140 --> 00:11:20.240 in the city of Shechem. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.680 He's infatuated with her 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:23.740 and he tells his dad, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:26.300 Hamor, go get her. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.560 I want her to be my wife. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.620 And then Jacob, her father, 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:31.580 hears of this, 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:34.080 what's happened, these events. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:38.620 And instead of being outraged, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:41.440 he entertains a suitor. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:43.600 He entertains a proposal 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:45.080 for her hand in marriage. 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:47.200 And there's one problem here. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.460 Jacob's sons hear of this 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:51.080 and they're angered. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.200 And Hamor continues the sales pitch. 00:11:55.900 --> 00:11:57.460 Let my son keep Dinah. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:59.240 And if you do, 00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:01.920 we can become one big happy family. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.900 We'll live together. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.860 We'll share resources together. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:05.940 We'll share the land. 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:06.940 We'll trade together. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.400 All of those things. 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:10.120 And then the son pipes up and says, 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:13.680 in fact, this is so important to me. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:15.680 I don't care what I have to give you. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.680 Name your price. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.980 I'll give it to you. 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:22.660 Now Jacob's sons hatch a plan. 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:24.680 And in doing so, 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:25.560 it's a deception. 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:29.199 Sure, you can keep her on one condition. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.659 You become like us 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.699 and you become circumcised. 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:34.459 And then and only then 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.399 can we become one people. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.279 And Shechem and Hamor say, 00:12:39.719 --> 00:12:40.799 all right, you got a deal. 00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:43.179 And then they go back to their own people 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:45.559 and somehow they convince them 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:47.259 to be circumcised. 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.899 They go to the city gates 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.000 where business is held 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.539 and they pitch their plan 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.639 and they convince them 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:54.019 and all the people 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.740 are convinced 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.579 this is what we should do. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.059 And all the men 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.220 are circumcised. 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:02.480 And when they recovered 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.439 from their surgery, 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.319 or while they were recovering, 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.079 Dinah's brothers come in, 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.399 Simeon and Levi, 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.620 and they killed 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.840 all the men of the city. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.899 They killed Hamor. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.000 They killed Shechem. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:17.299 They rescued their sister. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.360 And then the rest of the brothers 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.940 take all the stuff, 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.740 all the women, 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.879 all the property, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:25.039 all the animals. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.379 They take it all. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.600 Every last bit of it. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.340 That's the plot. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.759 Now, what about the characters? 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.559 The characters of the stories 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.139 will spend most of our time. 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:41.220 Because it's through them 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:43.379 we see what's really going on. 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.199 I tracked us through 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:46.240 the plot of the story, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.860 but it doesn't tell us why. 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.539 It doesn't tell us 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:51.340 what's going on in their hearts 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:53.699 as they're navigating 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:54.480 this situation. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.100 And from that, 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:56.860 we're going to see 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:59.500 how we can understand 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:01.059 where God is 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.200 and how he's working. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.100 Now, when we read 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.860 the opening verses 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.759 of this chapter, 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:07.600 we cannot be helped 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.659 but move to pity, 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.960 move to sadness, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.439 and maybe then 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.139 very quickly 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.259 move to outrage 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.559 at what's gone on. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.100 Is it wrong? 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:17.840 Absolutely. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.679 Is it evil? 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.220 Yes. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.720 Is it tragic? 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.179 Yes. 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.860 Look at verse 1. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.620 Dinah, the daughter of Leah, 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.639 who she born to Jacob, 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.340 went out to see 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.340 the women of the land. 00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:34.299 At first glance, 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.740 that seems pretty innocuous. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.200 But we have to remember, 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.960 we took a break last week 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:40.059 from our story 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:41.519 or the story of Jacob. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.039 But if we remember 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.840 the last time 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:44.600 we looked at Jacob, 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.340 he was supposed to go back 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:46.960 to the land 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.720 and he settled 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.939 just a little bit short 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:49.460 in Shechem. 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:50.960 And as he did, 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.580 he was drawn in 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.259 to the land 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:53.939 in the prospect 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:55.080 of becoming wealthy, 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.019 comfortable, 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:56.840 happy. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.519 And now, 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.220 his daughter 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.639 is drawn out 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.879 from the confines, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.580 the safety of his own home, 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:05.800 into this strange land. 00:15:07.900 --> 00:15:08.800 His daughter 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:10.300 puts herself 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.180 in a position 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:13.639 that is dangerous. 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.200 Does that mean 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:15.879 it's her fault? 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.040 No. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.420 What happened to her? 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.340 Should it have happened 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.720 to her? 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.200 No. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.920 But she still 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.780 was drawn 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:27.220 into the foreign city, 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.440 to the women. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.560 She went out 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.360 to see them. 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.700 And whenever we see 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.840 that contrast 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:34.419 between the foreigners 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:36.240 and then God's people, 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.519 it's negative. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.180 She's drawn out 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:41.240 to see them, 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.860 to look at their ways. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.180 Why am I making 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:45.940 such a big deal 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.539 about this? 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.620 I'm not saying 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.560 Dinah deserved 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.759 what happened to her. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.560 That's not what 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.419 I'm saying at all. 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.320 In fact, 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.399 I'm saying something 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.340 very opposite, 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.860 that those two things 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.580 can coexist, 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.899 that Dinah sinned 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.919 and going out 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:01.480 to the city 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.439 and looking 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.740 and being drawn 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.620 to this world. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.159 And also, 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.019 what happened to her 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:08.039 was really wicked. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.139 It was brutal 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.019 and wrong. 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.600 But her heart 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:13.000 was being wooed away 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.100 by the ladies 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.019 of this land. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:17.220 That's the first character. 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.819 The next group 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.439 of characters 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.600 are Shechem 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.480 and Hamor. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:22.600 So again, 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.559 I mentioned Shechem 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.399 is the place. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.879 Shechem is also 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.039 the son of Hamor, 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.939 the one 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:29.620 who does this to her. 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.959 Verse 2. 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.299 He's the prince 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.939 of the land. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.319 He saw her. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.100 He seized her. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.939 He lay with her. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.500 He humiliated her. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.879 He enters into 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.360 the story 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.819 with despicable actions. 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.759 It's not an accident. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.079 It's not a mixed 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.299 communication 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.100 of intentions. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.500 It is evil 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.279 from the start. 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:55.199 The way it's phrased 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:56.399 is he is the one 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.179 doing the action. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.019 He's doing 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.939 all these things. 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.519 And in some 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.620 distorted way, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.139 it doesn't end there. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.259 He says this. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.359 That he, 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.299 or the writer 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.259 says this about it. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.900 That his soul 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.240 was drawn to Dinah. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.980 He loved the young woman 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.420 and he spoke tenderly 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:15.879 to her. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.259 That's not what 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.039 we think about 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.119 when we think about 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.879 the brutality 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:21.599 of an event like this. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.559 In some weird way, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.019 he's infatuated 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.319 infatuated with her. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.519 He's obsessed 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.039 with her. 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.279 And that's why 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.420 he says to his dad 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.480 with such authority, 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.420 go get her for me. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.139 Man, 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.740 it's the same 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.680 demanding, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.859 matter-of-fact speech 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:42.660 that Samson uses 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.900 when he says 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.920 to his dad 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.859 and he sees 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.079 that Philistine woman, 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.660 get her for me. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.379 Now, 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:49.900 it's under 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.319 different pretenses, 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.579 but it's still 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.619 that same demand 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.099 that he is blinded 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:55.819 by sin, 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.960 by his own lust 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.839 and he says 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.480 to his parents, 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.319 go get her. 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.240 That's the same 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.619 type of language here. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.539 But it doesn't end there, 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.659 the story of Shechem 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.259 and Hamor. 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:08.039 Then they negotiate 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:12.559 with the future 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.399 father-in-law 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:15.179 or so they think. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:17.019 They come to negotiate 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.019 and the conversation 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.339 picks up in verse 8. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.740 He spoke to them 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.019 saying, 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.700 the soul of my son 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.160 Shechem 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.819 longs for your daughter. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.579 Please give her to him 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.819 to be his wife. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.700 Their conversation 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.200 is a trap. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.799 A trap from the beginning. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.940 A trap that God's people 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.140 were trying to avoid, 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.940 that God reminded them of 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:43.039 time and time again 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.160 not to be entangled 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:45.500 with foreign people 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.039 and foreign wives 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.200 and foreign lands. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:50.420 And the trap is this. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.700 And we see it 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.359 really clearly 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.500 as he goes on. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.900 Make marriages with us. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.940 Give us your daughters. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.099 Take our daughters 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.759 for yourselves. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.120 You shall dwell with us 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.740 and the land 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.900 shall be open to you. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.700 Dwell and trade in it 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:05.440 and get property in it. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.200 That's the trap. 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:09.420 That's exactly 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.759 what Satan does 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.799 to Adam in the garden 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.720 if you think about it. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.519 It's not a complete 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.359 opposite reversal 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.720 of God's truth. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.240 It's a shade off. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.559 Satan says what 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.120 to Adam? 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.360 Did God really say that? 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.620 It's a slight distortion. 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.640 Not attacking outright 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.960 but a twisting. 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.460 And here 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.500 it's through Hamor. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.240 You have a promise 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.880 of land. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.180 You have a promise 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.860 of children. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.279 You have a promise 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.920 of abundance. 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.039 Come. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.700 Now here's your chance 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.220 for it. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:44.240 with our wives 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.380 and giving your daughters. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.960 At this point 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.339 Shechem pipes up 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:48.839 and says 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:50.559 hey I really want her. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.180 If I've found favor 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.920 in your eyes 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.019 he says in verse 11 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.740 then give her to me. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.220 No remorse. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.200 No repentance. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.740 The picture here 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.480 is of a hardness 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.240 of heart. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.759 We can't look past that. 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.799 You might be thinking 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.039 seriously man? 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.819 After what you've done 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.460 your desire 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.539 desire is so strong 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.279 that you're going 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.380 to give any price. 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:16.259 But tactically 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.680 if you want to woo her 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.779 wouldn't you apologize 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.539 for this? 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.680 For what's happened? 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.059 Now here's a nugget 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.440 in here 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.259 that we don't get 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.279 until we go to the end 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.940 of the story. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.539 It's not that Dinah 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.940 has gone back to Jacob 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.880 and they're asking 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.779 for her back 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.600 but they have held her 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.779 as we'll see later. 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:36.220 They've held her 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.920 in captivity 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.180 and they're saying 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.640 let us keep her. 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:43.060 Now during these negotiations 00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:44.539 and these conversations 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.120 when we look through them 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.080 through the lens 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:47.600 of Shechem 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.700 having this hardness 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.400 of heart 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.779 this brutality 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:52.940 we see how much more 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:54.740 evil the actions are. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.779 Now Shechem and Hamor 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.640 as characters 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.500 are not done yet. 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.480 Then they go 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.060 and convince 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:02.940 their countrymen 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.620 but they don't tell them 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.600 the whole story. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.840 They don't tell them 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.179 of what they've done 00:21:08.179 --> 00:21:08.939 to Dinah 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:09.759 or what Shechem 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.740 has done to Dinah. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.899 They come to them 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.859 and they pitch to them 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.959 in pragmatic terms 00:21:13.959 --> 00:21:15.159 hey we should do this 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:15.759 because it's going to 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.740 make us rich. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.559 After all 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.199 who doesn't want 00:21:19.199 --> 00:21:19.899 to get rich? 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.199 Look at verse 20 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:21.639 with me 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.579 as we keep going 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.240 through the narrative. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.359 They say this 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:27.240 they came to the gate 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.740 of their city 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.959 they spoke to the men 00:21:28.959 --> 00:21:29.500 of their city 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.519 and they said 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.119 these men are at peace 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.699 with us 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:34.219 let them dwell in the land 00:21:34.219 --> 00:21:35.059 and trade in it 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.819 for behold 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.079 the land is large enough 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.539 for them. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.000 Let us take their daughters 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.699 as wives 00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:42.219 let us give them 00:21:42.219 --> 00:21:42.819 our daughters 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:45.319 only on this condition 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:47.339 with all the men 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.839 or will all the men 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.119 agree to dwell with us 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.159 to become one people 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.479 and every male 00:21:52.479 --> 00:21:53.979 is going to be circumcised 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.920 as they are circumcised. 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:58.480 So in the same scene 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.200 that we saw 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.099 where Lot was 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.120 at the city of the gates 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.920 where all the important 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.640 people gather 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:04.620 they pitch this idea 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.920 we're going to be 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.759 just like them 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:08.079 and we're going to be 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.160 circumcised like them. 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:12.059 Now if we think about it 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:14.799 they've kind of set the hook 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.380 and now they're just 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.620 reeling them in 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.440 as it goes on 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.079 through the narrative. 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:21.140 As Shechem and Hamor 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.799 say this 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.279 will not their livestock 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.059 they're talking about 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.899 Israel's livestock 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.660 their property 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.279 and their beast 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.220 all be ours 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.980 let us agree with them 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.440 and they will dwell with us 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.839 and in doing so 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.119 they're reeling them in 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:35.200 this allure of greed 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:37.240 of property 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.680 of animals 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:41.139 gets them to agree 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.680 to all be circumcised. 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.740 Now when we read 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.279 of Shechem 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.480 and Hamor's actions 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.240 it's really easy 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.920 for us 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:50.460 through their speech 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.620 to divorce 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.740 this coldness 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.240 of heart 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.299 how brutal 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.460 all of this is 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.400 but in that 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.920 we see 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:58.620 where their hearts 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.420 are really at 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.819 both Shechem 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.860 and Hamor 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.880 they're so blinded 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.680 by sin 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.579 that they're 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.440 agreeing 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.200 that they're going 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.860 out of their way 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.579 to manipulate 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.880 their countrymen 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:12.519 and they're so calm 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.039 about it 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.680 even though 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.460 it's so wrong. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.240 So what's done 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.740 to Dinah 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.620 is wrong 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:18.700 without a doubt 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:20.160 but what happens 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.840 afterwards 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.620 shows us 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.279 how bad 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.519 they really are. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.500 It's a gauge 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.460 of their hearts 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.980 how far 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.360 they are 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:28.980 from God. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.220 Now the next 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.019 group of characters 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.620 are Jacob's sons. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.059 Jacob's sons 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.460 if we're honest 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.460 and we encounter 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.080 this story 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:39.200 we might identify 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.860 with them 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:41.660 because they put 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.440 into practice 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.400 what we're thinking 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.240 as the story 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.100 unfolds. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.319 When the events 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.319 against Dinah 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.200 transpire 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.059 where are they? 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.440 They're out 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.500 working in the fields 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.940 and when they come in 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.580 or when they hear 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:52.880 of this 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.580 they come in 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:55.559 and where Jacob 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.380 entertains the suitor 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.640 they come up 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.519 with this plan 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.360 very quickly. 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.799 They go quickly 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.180 very past 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.259 their sadness 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.519 to anger 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.039 but jump back 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.400 with me 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.240 to verse 7. 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.420 How it's written 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.240 in verse 7 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.840 is the same 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:15.319 exact language 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:17.200 as God 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.839 when he was 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.819 saddened 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:20.119 over sin 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.179 over the sin 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:21.759 of mankind 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.599 when it got 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.599 so bad 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.419 that he was 00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:24.919 going to flood 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.799 the whole earth. 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.539 It uses the same 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.720 exact language 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.000 when he says 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.019 they were indignant 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.159 and very angry 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:33.500 because he had done 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.700 an outrageous thing 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.220 in Israel. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.099 God says of himself 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.259 or the writer 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.980 says of God 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.359 this 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.059 and the Lord 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.639 regretted 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.039 that he had 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.559 made man 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.159 on the earth 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:44.339 and it grieved 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.699 him to his heart. 00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:47.159 It's the same 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:48.219 wording. 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.619 It's so bad 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:53.879 it's so bad 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.659 to be compared 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.459 to the sin 00:24:55.459 --> 00:24:56.599 of all of mankind 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.839 to flood the earth 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.859 and then they come up 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.519 with a plan 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.879 as Shechem comes 00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:02.319 and says 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.319 name your price 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.179 so that I might 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:04.639 have her 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.819 they respond 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.559 deceitfully 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.379 and what do they do? 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.039 They said 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.899 you need to become 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.640 like us 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.880 and be circumcised. 00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:13.780 They take something 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:14.800 that should point 00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:16.080 to faith in God 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.860 circumcision 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:18.140 and they use it 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.240 for their deceitful 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.740 ends 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:21.380 to kill them all 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:23.900 and only then 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.040 after we've become 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:25.860 one people 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.759 they say 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.220 we will 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.400 give you 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.080 our sister 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:31.580 and the trick 00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:32.600 of Jacob's son 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.200 is not for 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.300 monetary gain 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:34.960 like Shechem 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.620 and Hamor 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.680 but instead 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.080 it's for vengeance 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.099 vengeance 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.559 for their sister. 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.279 Turn with me 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.619 back to verse 25 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:47.839 on the third day 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.599 after their plan 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.259 had already been 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.699 pitched 00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:51.639 and set in motion 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:53.079 when they were sore 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.939 the two sons 00:25:53.939 --> 00:25:54.439 of Jacob 00:25:54.439 --> 00:25:55.299 Simeon and Levi 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.079 Dinah's brothers 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.399 took their swords 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:58.139 and came against 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.619 the city 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.720 while it felt secure 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.299 and killed 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.339 all the males. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.819 They avenged 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.759 what happened to her 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.559 and they kill 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.240 everyone 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.900 and then they kill 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.880 Shechem and Hamor 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:09.160 not just the two 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.960 who had executed 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.140 this against their sister 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.940 and we think 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.740 through their actions 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.420 we're confronted 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.359 with this reality 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:17.200 it doesn't seem right 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:19.440 it's right to be angry 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.660 it's right 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:22.160 to want justice 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.460 but then we have 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.440 the words of Paul 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.240 rolling around 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.819 in our heads 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.779 saying this 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:30.879 never avenge yourselves 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.559 but leave it 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.619 to the wrath of God 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.359 for it is written 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:35.420 vengeance is mine 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.879 he's quoting the Old Testament 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.359 I will repay 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.180 says the Lord 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.720 and then 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.619 it goes on 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.680 more of the sons come 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.759 more of the sons appear 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.259 and they take all the stuff 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.180 they do exactly 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.099 what Hamor 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.059 and Shechem 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.740 would have been doing 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:51.559 they take the wives 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.319 the children 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:54.879 their quest for justice 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.420 turns into greed 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:58.600 in the same way 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.759 that Shechem 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.779 took Hamor 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.240 now they take 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:04.060 everything in the land 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:06.600 of Shechem 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:07.840 excuse me 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.580 in the same way 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.160 that Shechem 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.460 took Dinah 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.259 and Hamor 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.120 helped him do it 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.039 the brothers 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.779 now take 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.779 everything in Shechem 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:18.100 killing them 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:19.800 and the rest of the brothers 00:27:19.800 --> 00:27:21.180 help them all do it 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:23.279 now as we think 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.060 about this story 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:26.779 we are kind of 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.500 left with the question 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.679 of where is Jacob 00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:29.460 in all of this 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.200 it's kind of like 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.059 where is Waldo 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.740 you know that 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.519 kids book 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:33.980 where you're looking 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.539 for that man 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.059 in the red 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.019 and white striped 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.480 shirt 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.159 and the hat 00:27:37.159 --> 00:27:38.679 and he finds himself 00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:39.319 in all these 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.419 circumstances 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.500 of pandemonium 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.440 he's in ancient Egypt 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.240 one page 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.399 and the next page 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.159 he's at the beach 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:46.220 and you got people 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.299 doing beach things 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.500 and getting attacked 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.279 by sharks 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.359 and then you have 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.720 people navigating 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:53.700 ancient Egyptian culture 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.139 and building pyramids 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.299 and you're challenged 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.139 to find where 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.019 Waldo is 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.819 in the midst of it 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.539 you gotta look 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.119 for that man 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.579 in the red 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.799 and white striped hat 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.000 and shirt 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:05.639 where is Jacob 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:07.000 while all of this 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.799 is going on 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.920 in the pandemonium 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.379 of his own sons 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.740 the brutality 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.859 of his own children 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.379 and what's happened 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.180 to his daughter 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.579 where is he 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:18.839 that's the question 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.500 that's what we should 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:22.039 walk away from this text 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.740 Jacob is absent 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:25.699 Jacob is silent 00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:27.759 Jacob is nowhere 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.699 to be found 00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:29.879 where is Jacob 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.599 when Dinah 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.659 went out 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.720 in the first place 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.059 where is Jacob 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.740 speaking up 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.459 for his daughter 00:28:36.459 --> 00:28:37.699 when these suitors come 00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.259 knowing that 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.119 they're the ones 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.480 who executed this 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.199 against his 00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:42.319 daughter 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:43.980 it's not him 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.819 that speaks up 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:46.199 it's his sons 00:28:46.199 --> 00:28:47.959 where is he 00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:48.659 in all of this 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.360 where is he 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.040 when his sons 00:28:50.040 --> 00:28:51.000 hatched this plan 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.519 where is Jacob 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:54.519 oh there he is 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.940 he comes on the scene 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.880 at the very end 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.940 and what does he say 00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:00.840 to his own sons 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.960 who fought 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.620 for the honor 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.360 of his sister 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:03.980 he says 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:05.900 why did you do this 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:07.279 you made me 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.100 bad 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:09.240 you made me evil 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.900 stink 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.960 in the eyes 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.759 of these people 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.040 are you serious 00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:15.220 Jacob 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:17.080 you care more 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.779 concern 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.319 you care 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.919 more 00:29:19.919 --> 00:29:21.460 for your own skin 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.199 than the concern 00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:23.439 of your own daughter 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:25.859 how could you do nothing 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:27.539 how could you do this 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.720 the words of John 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.480 in the New Testament 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.460 are kind of haunting 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.339 when we think about 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.000 this story 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.159 John writes this 00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:34.980 in 1st John 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.899 for all that is 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.460 in the world 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:39.559 all the desires 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.159 of the flesh 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:40.859 and the desires 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.460 of the eyes 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.439 and pride of life 00:29:43.439 --> 00:29:45.019 is not from the father 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.200 but is from this world 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:48.299 Jacob is blinded 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.019 by everything 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.460 that Shechem offers 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.379 the security 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.480 the safety 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.639 the wealth 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:55.759 that he's not 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.359 stirred 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.160 to anger 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.900 stirred 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.079 to judgment 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.599 when we read 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.339 stories like this 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.019 it can make us 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.000 feel really yucky 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.500 inside 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.680 we don't really know 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.460 what to do with it 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.059 we just know 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.859 that it's wrong 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.900 we don't know 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.599 what to do 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:10.200 and in the midst 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.119 of we ask 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.019 where are you Jacob 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.859 where are you God 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:15.240 why aren't you 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.339 coming and making 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:18.160 all these things right 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.599 it's tragic 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:22.559 and the same is true 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.319 of us today 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.859 the terrors 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.799 of our own lives 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.220 whether we relive 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.480 them in our own minds 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.579 or we remember 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.259 smells 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.420 or the actions 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.359 of other people 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.420 and we ask 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.579 where were you then God 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:36.480 why don't you come 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.420 and judge these people 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.700 why don't you come 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.759 and judge 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.599 Shechem 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.439 and Hamor 00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:42.740 why don't you come 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.579 and judge 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.439 Simeon 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.219 and Levi 00:30:45.219 --> 00:30:47.159 and the reality is 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.500 when we clamor 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.339 for justice 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.299 and judgment 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:53.480 we are equally 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.159 guilty 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:55.500 before the Lord 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.879 for we won't 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.799 have to answer 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.279 for the sin 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.779 of Shechem 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:01.779 the sin of Jacob 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:03.759 the sin of Simeon 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.319 or Levi 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.480 we will answer 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.519 for our own sin 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.879 and we are held 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:10.000 under judgment 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.480 that same judgment 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.220 that we want 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.420 that same justice 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:15.440 is pointed to Christ 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:18.359 the one who gave 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.039 of himself 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:20.220 the one who didn't 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.160 deserve to die 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:23.039 and yet we call out 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.759 and say 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:26.180 where's justice 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.400 just like Simeon 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.799 and Levi 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.759 we ask where God is 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.339 and yet we sit silent 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:33.019 knowing that our hearts 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.880 condemn us 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:36.820 where are you God 00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:39.060 God is on the cross 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:40.120 in the form 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:40.900 of Jesus 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:41.980 he is God 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.500 and man 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.720 given of himself 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.300 completely innocent 00:31:45.300 --> 00:31:47.140 and yet we clamor 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.140 for justice 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.820 and what retribution 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:51.940 and it's meted out 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.220 on the person 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.760 of Jesus 00:31:53.760 --> 00:31:56.240 and we're called 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.340 not to judgment 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.720 but to delight 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.420 in the mercy 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.520 that we've been shown 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.900 in Jesus 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:06.759 he's the only person 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.799 that didn't deserve 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.299 to die 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:11.599 and yet we call out 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:13.200 asking for judgment 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:15.579 knowing that we 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.700 are the ones 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.559 that put him there 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:20.980 how do we live 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.799 in a foreign land 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.559 how do we live 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.240 in this world 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:25.319 where are you God 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.440 when we need you 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:29.019 he's offered to us 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.599 in the gospel 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:31.399 he's offered to us 00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:32.079 in Christ 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.539 for he's overcome 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.559 all evil 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:37.039 and as we wait 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.059 as ones with hope 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:40.399 let us hold fast 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:41.419 to the mercy of God 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.559 let's pray 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:45.939 Lord we ask this morning 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:46.679 that we would come 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:47.619 to you in faith 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:50.539 recognizing that there is 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:52.099 evil in our day 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:54.240 maybe we've even been 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.379 the recipients of evil 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.779 but Father 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:58.219 let us not clamor 00:32:58.219 --> 00:32:59.379 for judgment 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:01.820 but clamor 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.700 for mercy 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.780 cry out 00:33:03.780 --> 00:33:05.740 and remind our hearts 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.660 that Christ 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:08.140 has paid for our sin 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.080 upon the cross 00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:10.180 we pray this 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.920 in Christ's name 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.380 amen 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:13.400 let's stand this morning 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:13.900 and sing 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.110 may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may