Bible Reading: Genesis 34 | John 6 | Psalm 34
Devotional for February 17, 2025
Reading: Genesis 34 | John 6 | Psalm 34
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Genesis 34
Genesis 34 is a chapter that bewilders many. It seems to interrupt the narrative as it appears to be out of place with the events of Jacob's return to Canaan. However, it isn't because the main thrust of the chapter is the threat to the covenant line established with Abraham, Isaac, and now, Jacob. The events are grievous. Shechem rapes Dinah, the daughter of Jacob (from Leah). The sin is terrible, and the brothers' response has a certain degree of understanding. Who wouldn't want to defend the good name of their sister? However, as one commentator observes, "While the rape of Dinah by Shechem is inexcusable, the punishment meted out by Simeon and Levi far exceeds the crime." Making matters worse, they use the covenant sign of circumcision to carry out their plot to kill. That alone is regrettable as the covenant sign signifies life, but it is used for death here. Three sins are committed in this chapter. First is the sin of rape. Second, the sin of exacting justice and revenge improperly. Third, the abuse of God's sign and seal of the covenant. We are warned in the third commandment not to abuse anything whereby God makes himself known. The brothers treat the sacred sign of circumcision poorly, profaning it to a wicked end.
We should always be mindful of those things that God has used to communicate himself to us. We should never make jokes about God's Word, using it as a punchline or abusing it by misrepresenting it and perverting it to a wrong end. We should be cautious about the sacraments, not approaching them or misusing them in a way that is not intended. We do not pervert them by adding superstitious things or applying them to a wrong end. All of these things are grievous sins before God.
Questions and Applications:
How do the brothers abuse the sign of circumcision in this passage?
Why are we attracted to the brothers' behavior? What would have been a more godly response to the sin of Shechem?
How do you treat and handle Scripture? The Sacraments?
John 6
John 6 is divided into two primary sections. The first (6:1-21) contains two miracles performed by Christ: feeding the 5,000 and walking on water. The first miracle demonstrates Christ's compassion for the physical needs of people. He feeds them with the Word of God and provides them with food for their hungry bodies. That miracle establishes the point he will make in the lengthy discourse that begins in 6:22. The second miracle highlights his compassion for his followers.
The second section (6:22-71) is rich with many deep theological themes. What is important to note is how this lengthy discourse is framed by the feeding of the 5,000. The entire thrust of the "bread of life" discourse" is to show how Jesus is the manna that has come down from heaven. Christ, not some earthly bread, satisfies the soul alone. The manna in the wilderness needed to be replenished. It was fallible, and its effects were brief before people needed to replenish their bodies. Yet, Christ, as the eternal manna, is that we eat once and are satisfied.
In him, we have everything necessary for our pilgrimage in this life. That manna, however, is not given to everyone. It is only for those whom the Father has given to the Son. All those called by the Father are given to the Son, who gives them eternal life – a life they cannot lose.
Questions and Applications:
What is the connection between the feeding of the 5,000 and the "bread of life" discourse?
Consider the various theological themes in 6:22-71. Discuss them as a family or meditate on them. Make a list and be encouraged by them.
Psalm 34
Psalm 34 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving. The context is given in the opening verse of the Hebrew Bible: "Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away." The Psalm highlights David's praise for God's protection from his enemies. The Psalm is both an individual and corporate call to praise.
First, there is the call to praise in 34:1-3. We have many reasons to praise the God of heaven. He is kind to us. He does not treat us as we deserve. He forgives our sins and gives us hope for tomorrow. He provides for us all that we need in this life. There is nothing we have that hasn't come from our Father's loving hand. He saved us through the work of the Lord Jesus and gave us peace with him. Therefore, we should always praise him with our lips and lives.
Second, The Lord hears his children, especially in distress. Whenever we have needs or burdens that overwhelm us, we can call out to our Father in heaven. He hears, and he brings help. He may not relieve every burden by removing them, but he does promise to sustain us throughout the struggle.
Third, those who fear the Lord lack nothing good. That is, we do not go without. Those whom the Lord loves, he provides and cares for each day. We may not get what we want, but we always get what we need.
Fourth, there is a call to fear the Lord. David teaches his readers the importance of using correct words to reflect the heart.
Fifth, David returns to the promise of deliverance for all those who love the God of heaven. That deliverance will ultimately be realized in the coming of Christ. Until then, we persevere and trust that our heavenly Father will help and sustain us.