"Shechem
also said to her father and to her brothers, 'If I find favour in your sight,
then I will give whatever you say to me.
Ask me ever so much bridal payment and gifts, and I will give according
as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage.'
"But
Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor, with deceit, and spoke to
them, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. And they said to them, We cannot do this
thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a
disgrace to us.
"Only on
this condition will we consent to you: if
you will become like us, in that every male of you be circumcised, then we will
give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves, and
we will live with you and become one people.
But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take
our daughter and go.'" Genesis 34:11-17
Dinah
had purposefully left the protective care of her family to wander into a city
with different customs, where women were chattel to be used freely and/or bargained with. Shechem was the son of the leader and used to
getting his way, but found he truly loved her, treated her tenderly (after he forced her), took her
home to the protection of his family and did what was right in his culture: to
appeal to the father of his intended.
God
had warned that His people should have nothing to do with the Caanites. Here continued deceit in a family rife with
deceit, descends into something more sinister and horrific on both sides. Two wrongs never make a right!
Take
care with love, especially His! Your
servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS:
ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please send
updates! For any of you who wonder if
prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the
hand of our loving Father in action!
URGENT
PRAYER REQUEST: PNS, as he waits to hear the results of his pursuit of a
great project role. Help me know how to
deal with a business matter concerning a charitable foundation I founded.
NEW
PRAYER REQUESTS: "Squid" just lost his very
special uncle. Fand's uncle very ill and near death. Barb
(sister-in-law) was called about a job (networking and persistence
seems to be paying off for her!)
Interview is this week.
PRAISE
& THANKSGIVING: The fighting in the
Philippines is nearly over now. Thank
you for praying. God had a gentle
surprise for Deborah as she
faced her difficult situation. Carlton (painful bone
infections) is feeling a bit better finally.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Raven - is now in a recovery
facility as she completes her cancer therapy.
David R losing his
eyesight due to macular degeneration.
For Audley and Beverly’s
situation and his new endeavour. For Nancy who is growing stronger
and for Fred as he cares for
her.
Scott for mental and
physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly. Pray for the two surviving sons of Melanie Karunaratne in New
Zealand. Adrian is home and in such significant
pain he is no longer able to think clearly.
Pray for the person
who has so kindly given him a place to live during these many long months of
disability. Randir has angina and will need to manage it.
ONGOING
JOB RELATED: Barbara (sister-in-law) that the Lord would encourage her as
she waits for a new project or full time role.
Be with Hans as he
struggles through changes in his life – that he'll cling securely to the Lord
and that there will be an unexpected, satisfying job in his chosen field for
him.
For
PJ that he may find projects
to fill his needs. Please pray for a new
project for me and the wisdom of my
next steps.
ONGOING
PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is
dramatically apparent in the lives of all
who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be
worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!
Isaac's Dad (84 years
old) after a heart attack still needs procedures and for Isaac in the Philippines where his ministry
is searching for the Lord's fruit. Pray
for Milo as he studies in
Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine
as she adjusts to this time away.
Carla &
Paul K
for good results from their business plans.
For Linda and Ian. For Rob
and his daughter. For Reg. Pray for Annette
and her wonderful family. Pray for
wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter. For David
K, in his studies and Matthew
K as he grows up. Elaine and Jim back in Hong
Kong.
PRAY
FOR THE WORLD: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His
children there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global
financial mismanagement. Pray for the
Catholic Church and that the new Pope
will always put Jesus first.
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